Join EDNZ for this online Deep-Dive Lunch and Learn with our Award Winner, Franklin Council, as Christina Rogstad discusses her path to putting Franklin, on the outskirts of Auckland, on the map. Too often, local economic development starts with tactics - events, activations, grants, brochures - before there’s clarity on what success even looks like. In this session, we flip the script. Key Takeaways for Local Economic Developers: · Learn how to build an innovation ecosystem that aligns stakeholders and unlocks action · Discover practical tools for defining vision, building narrative, and structuring strategy · Understand why getting the ‘thinking’ right first leads to better and faster execution We’ll explore the foundational tools that enable economic developers to create innovation ecosystems that actually work - because they’re grounded in purpose, place, and people. At the heart of our approach is controlling the narrative - defining and owning the story of your place before others do. A shared narrative allows communities to pull in the same direction, fostering alignment across stakeholders, reducing friction, and accelerating momentum. We’ll outline a strategic framework that starts with: Positioning: Where do you want your place to sit in the minds of investors, residents, and visitors? Understanding Outcomes: What does good look like? If you don’t know where you’re heading, you’re unlikely to get there. Context Mapping: What dynamics are operating in your area - demographic, economic, geographic, cultural? From Strategy to Delivery: Turning insight into implementation - not the other way around. We’ll also explore turnaround town case studies to show how these principles have been applied, and what lessons they offer for places trying to rebuild, reinvent or reenergise. A practical and visually rich session blending strategic frameworks with real-world case studies, tools, and discussion. This Lunch and Learn was presented by Christina Rogstad, Franklin Economic Broker on 18 February 2026

EDNZ 2024 Distinguished Service Award honouring Cath Randall's lifetime achievement in economic development.