This is an opinion column

Today’s guest columnist is Steve Ammons.

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Birmingham is bringing back one of its most successful initiatives.

An initiative that delivered great dividends for Birmingham, but was discontinued 15 years ago.

But it’s now being revived and it promises a big payoff.

While we celebrate the successes of all that we enjoy here, we must also consider the opportunities that have slipped through our fingers. And, more importantly, why we must strive to seize future opportunities before it’s too late.

Birmingham’s quality of life is something to be proud of. In my role leading the Birmingham Business Alliance, I have a front row seat to experiencing first impressions of our community from the countless number of visitors, site developers and business leaders we bring in regularly.

Time and time again, our team is told how impressed visitors are by the city’s charm and potential. Just recently, a prominent business leader from Atlanta shared with me, “‘I haven’t been to this city in 15 years, and the Birmingham of yesterday pales in comparison to the Birmingham of today. You have something special here.” Such testimonials highlight the progress we’ve made and the importance of pushing for more.

Birmingham’s Big Trip is coming back

To build on this momentum, it’s time to reignite the spirit of innovation and ambition that has driven Birmingham’s success. This is why the Birmingham Business Alliance has revived our “Big Trip,” now rebranded as the Leadership Exchange. The trip hasn’t been organized in 15 years, making this year’s journey to Raleigh, North Carolina especially significant.

In the past, these trips by our top business, community, and political leaders have sparked transformative ideas and collaborations that have directly contributed to Birmingham’s growth.

Landmark projects like Railroad Park and Regions Field both originated from previous “Big Trips” to Denver, Colorado and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, respectively. There is no doubt that these developments gave new life to our city and created gathering spaces that will continue to pay dividends for generations to come.

The Leadership Exchange trip is another step in the right direction, offering a platform for our community’s business leaders to learn from a city that has experienced the type of dynamic growth we’d like to model here.

Anchored by Research Triangle Park and three major universities within 20 minutes of the city, Raleigh is best known for its innovation ecosystem and successful urban planning.

Our upcoming trip will equip local business leaders with valuable insights into how Birmingham can further its growth trajectory – specifically in the biosciences sector. By learning from Raleigh, our community’s leaders will discover new strategies to strengthen our local economy and quality of life.

As we prepare for this exciting journey, it’s crucial to have the support of all of our community’s visionaries who can lay the groundwork for Birmingham’s future success.

The Leadership Exchange trip symbolizes our commitment to the pursuit of excellence for the Birmingham region. This experience will empower us to attract groundbreaking investments, nurture and retain world-class talent, and fuel sustainable, dynamic growth.

By immersing ourselves in the success of another thriving community, we’re not just observing—we’re actively crafting Birmingham’s next chapter together.

Steve Ammons is the President & Chief Executive Officer of the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA), the region’s chamber and economic development organization. To learn more about BBA and how to get involved, visit www.birminghambusinessalliance.com

David Sher is the founder and publisher of ComebackTown. He’s past Chairman of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (BBA), Operation New Birmingham (REV Birmingham), and the City Action Partnership (CAP).

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Invite David to speak for free to your group about how we can have a more prosperous metro Birmingham. [email protected]