Shows
Site Selectors Are People, TooHumanizing the Voice: Our New Audio Rig"I’m trying to come up with a legitimate connection to the podcast... but maybe I just want to talk about my stuff!"
In this special technical breakdown, Devin peels back the curtain on the brand-new audio engine powering Season 3. After receiving feedback on previous audio quality, Devin invested in a professional-grade rig designed to strip away the "corporate distance" of tinny laptop mics and echoey boardrooms.
Whether you’re a podcast enthusiast, a corporate professional looking to up your remote-work game, or just curious about what goes into a high-end production, this episode is a ro...
2026-02-2622 min
Site Selectors Are People, TooOur WFH Coworkers (Pets!)How many highly confidential, multi-million dollar project calls have been derailed by a dog barking at a delivery driver?
In this episode of Site Selectors Are People, Too, we’re stepping away from the RFIs and real estate data to talk about the actual MVPs of our home offices: our pets. The economic development and site selection industry can be a grueling mix of isolated remote work and exhausting road-warrior travel. Today, we’re unpacking how our pets fit into that chaotic Venn diagram.
We discuss how the creatures living under our desks are often the...
2026-02-2438 min
Site Selectors Are People, TooThe Comeback: Mental Health & Resilience in Site Selection"I didn’t think this podcast was coming back—especially not like this."
After a year of significant professional and personal shifts, Devin Hillsdon-Smith returns for Season 3 of Site Selectors Are People, Too. This isn't just an industry update; it’s a raw, unfiltered look at the human behind the professional.
In this episode, Devin pulls back the curtain on a 2025 that was defined by "burnout, depression, anxiety, and an identity crisis." From the end of a major professional chapter at Cushman & Wakefield to navigating a difficult personal breakup, he shares the steps he took to cli...
2026-02-1654 min
Site Selectors Are People, Too(Ep 207) Dealing with Real EstateIn this episode, Devin talks through a topic he's passionate about - activating your real estate for economic development purposes. A community's land is one of its most precious assets, and if you don't take control of its future then someone sure as heck will. We explore how to break down the steps to real estate activation through a simple process and bring some order to the chaos. So let's roll up our sleeves, get down and dirty, and discuss some actionable steps to tackling real estate in economic development.
Here's some resources for those interested in...
2024-09-1056 minSite Selectors Are People, Too(Ep 206) FAM Tours - Keith Gillenwater - The Enterprise Group of JacksonStories from the Road, a miniseries within the podcast, features the people behind the profession in the communities Devin visits and within his network of esteemed misfits.
In this installment of the miniseries, Devin is joined by Keith Gillenwater, the president & CEO of The Enterprise Group of Jackson in Michigan. We discuss what it's like as an economic developer to land in a new community and how to host a top tier familiarization (FAM) tour for site selectors.
Keith can be reached at:
keith@enterprisegroup.org
(517) 788-4456
2024-09-041h 03Site Selectors Are People, Too(Ep 205) Economic Development Marketing - Jonathan Sackett - Northeast Indiana Regional PartnershipStories from the Road, a miniseries within the podcast, features the people behind the profession in the communities Devin visits and within his network of esteemed misfits.
In this installment of the miniseries, Devin is joined by Jonathan Sackett, head of marketing and communications at the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership.
How do economic development professionals market their communities? How do you create a compelling brand for a community? Tune in to find out and much, much more.
If you enjoyed this episode, you're in luck - this is Part 2 of 2 of a much...
2024-08-2353 min
The NEI Pioneer PodcastDevin Hillsdon-Smith: Site Selector's Honest Thoughts on NEIOn this edition of The NEI Pioneer Podcast, Head of MarCom Jonathan Sacket and Business Development Manager Jackson Long welcome Devin Hillsdon-Smith, a Director at Cushman & Wakefield. Devin discusses how his upbringing and law school helps him succeed. Additionally, he highlights how Northeast Indiana is a region that has a lot of will to get things done. Finally, he tells about his podcast, Site Selectors Are People, Too, and why he started it. Devin’s Podcast: Site Selectors Are People, Too https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/site-selectors-are-people-too/id1741011037 If you’re a...
2024-08-2147 minSite Selectors Are People, Too(Ep 204) Work-Life BalanceIn this episode of Site Selectors Are People, Too, Devin tackles work-life balance in a highly competitive environment. Let's take a look at some of the unique demands and challenges associated with each profession (site selection and economic development) and scratch the surface of some best practices and strategies for finding balance. Traveling too much? Expected to show up at too many community events? You're not alone.
Here's some resources for those interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links):
Work/Life Balance...
2024-07-3154 minSite Selectors Are People, Too(Ep 203) Electric Cooperatives in Rural America - Matthew Marshall - Minnkota Power CooperativeStories from the Road, a miniseries within the podcast, features the people behind the profession in the communities Devin visits and within his network of esteemed misfits.
In this second installment of the miniseries, Devin is joined by Matthew Marshall, manager of member services, rates & economic development for the Minnkota Power Cooperative in North Dakota and Minnesota.
Matthew can be reached at:
mmarshall@minnkota.com
(701) 630-4658
2024-07-1549 minSite Selectors Are People, Too(Ep 202) Regionalism - Keith Lambert - Lansing Economic Area PartnershipStories from the Road, a miniseries within the podcast, features the people behind the profession in the communities Devin visits and within his network of esteemed misfits.
In this installment of the miniseries, Devin is joined by Keith Lambert, chief operating officer for the Lansing Economic Area Partnership in Michigan.
Keith can be reached at:
keith@purelansing.com
(517) 331-2990
2024-07-081h 00Site Selectors Are People, Too(Ep 201) Public Engagement in Confidential ProjectsIn the 1st Episode of Season 2 of Site Selectors Are People, Too, Devin responds to a listener question about how the public can get more engaged with economic development projects. How do we balance critical project confidentiality with the community's right to know what's coming next? It's not an easy topic, but it's one worth discussing.
Here's some resources for those interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links):
The Role of Transparency and Accountability for Economic Development in Resource-rich Countries
Making Politics Work...
2024-07-0129 minSite Selectors Are People, Too(Ep 111) Community Leadership - Bryant Niehoff - Uplands Science & Technology FoundationStories from the Road, a miniseries within the podcast, will feature the people behind the profession in the communities Devin visits and within his network of esteemed misfits.
In this first installment of the miniseries, Devin is joined by Bryant Niehoff, executive director of the Uplands Science & Technology Foundation in southwest Indiana.
Bryant can be reached at:
BNIEHOFF@USTFWESTGATE.ORG
(812) 259-2177
2024-06-2143 minSite Selectors Are People, Too(Ep 110) The RFI ProcessIn the 10th episode of Site Selectors Are People, Too, Devin takes a look at the RFI and how it informs the site selection process as a whole. We dig into how the RFI is put together and how economic developers can better tailor their efforts to increase their chances of success. If you don't get the results you want, does that mean you failed? Or does that mean your community simply wasn't the right fit for the project?
Here's some resources for those interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean...
2024-06-1758 minSite Selectors Are People, Too(Ep 109) The Life of an Economic DeveloperIn today's episode, Devin explores the realities of being an economic developer. What does it take to get the job done? What does a day in the life look like? Let's dig beyond the tip of the iceberg of being an economic developer, including what it takes to serve as the intersection between community and business.
Here's some resources for those interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links):
What is Economic Development?
Remaking Economic Development
Tools for Economic Development
The Importance of Young...
2024-06-1053 minSite Selectors Are People, Too(Ep 108) The Life of a Site SelectorIn today's episode, Devin explores the realities of being a site selector. What does it take to get the job done? What does a day in the life look like? Let's dig beyond the tip of the iceberg of being a site selector, including what it takes to manage a corporate site selection project.
Note: winning clients and getting paid will be discussed in future episodes.
Here's some resources for those interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links):
20 Key Factors and...
2024-06-0352 minSite Selectors Are People, Too(Ep 107) Trust MattersDevin tackles a fundamental aspect of human interaction - trust. In this episode, we explore the definition of trust, how to build it, how to ruin it, and its role in economic development and site selection. Economic developers and site selectors serve as a bridge between communities and companies, requiring a focus on being trusted advisors and representatives.
Here's some resources for those interested in learning more (see Site Selectors Are People, Too | Devin Hillsdon-Smith (podbean.com) if your app doesn't show links):
10 Ways to Build Trust in a Relationship
The Importance of Client Selection and...
2024-05-2749 minSite Selectors Are People, Too(Ep 106) The Impact of AIIn this episode, Devin explores the role and impact of artificial intelligence on economic development and site selection. We discuss how AI is currently being deployed, its limitations, and the future for our professions. Is AI going to replace us all?
Here's some resources for those interested in learning more:
AI 101 for Site Selection
AI: These are the biggest risks and how to manage them
Artificial Intelligence and Economic Development: An Evolutionary Investigation and Systematic Review
Maximizing AI’s economic, social, and trade opportunities
Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence
The Failure Of Artificial Intelligence In Ma...
2024-05-201h 01Site Selectors Are People, Too(Ep 105) Empowering Each OtherLet's tackle some small steps we can take to empower each other in a big way in this episode of Site Selectors Are People, Too. Can it really be as simple as acknowledging receipt of a RFI response? I think so, and I think you do, too.
2024-05-1350 minSite Selectors Are People, Too(Ep 104) My StoryIn this episode, Devin responds to some listener questions before providing an account of his story transitioning from economic development to site selection. We explore the factors and considerations that drive the two sides of the industry and dig deeper into the differences and similarities between them. How can we serve as community advocates and data analysts while still remembering the human factor behind it all?
2024-05-0648 minSite Selectors Are People, Too(Ep 103) Bridging the GapIn this episode, we explore the disparities between economic developers and site selectors and how they impact end results in corporate investment decisions. What are some of the issues, and how do we go about addressing them to ensure better outcomes? What can site selectors do better, and what traps do economic developers typically fall into?
2024-04-2950 minSite Selectors Are People, Too(Ep 102) Navigating the RelationshipIn this episode, Devin explores the personal side of site selectors and economic developers, including the pressures each profession faces day in and day out. Yes, those quick RFI turnaround times seem punitive in nature, and man does it suck when you can't get a site selector to pick up the phone, but what's really going on in that person's life? What does it truly take for an economic developer to be successful in their daily tasks and long-term strategies? Let's give each other some grace, folks, we're in a tough profession with some high stakes pressure.
2024-04-1745 minSite Selectors Are People, Too(Ep 101) An Introduction to the People Behind the ProfessionIn this first episode, Devin sets the stage for the rest of the podcast by introducing general concepts and the people behind the profession. Who are site selectors? Who are economic developers? How do they work together to successfully match communities and corporate investment decisions? Dive into the world of economic development and site selection with a candid assessment of the people on the front line.
2024-04-1342 minSite Selectors Are People, Too(Trailer) Inside the Industry: The Human Side of Site SelectionJoin Devin Hillsdon-Smith, a seasoned professional with a decade of experience in economic development, as he embarks on a new journey in the world of industrial site selection. In “Site Selectors Are People, Too” Devin flips the script and takes you behind the scenes of corporate investment decisions, exploring the intricate dance between economic developers and site selectors. From the impact of real estate on economic growth to the truth about incentives, this podcast series promises to shed light on the industry’s best-kept secrets. Get ready to humanize the figures beyond the RFI and unravel the mysteries of site s...
2024-04-1201 min