The Greater Milwaukee Committee: Names Local Entrepreneur Chief Executive Officer of Initiative For A Competitive Milwaukee

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Art Smith will lead day-to-day operations of ICM, tap into central city’s business community

Milwaukee – Today the Greater Milwaukee Committee (GMC) named Art Smith Chief Executive Officer of the Initiative for a Competitive Milwaukee. Smith, a local entrepreneur, is President and CEO of Keystone Travel, American Express Travel Services in Milwaukee.

The GMC recently launched the Initiative for a Competitive Milwaukee in an effort to maximize the central city’s untapped business potential and build a healthy economy in the inner city by creating jobs and income in the most underserved neighborhoods.



“The GMC is delighted to announce Art Smith as the CEO if the Initiative for a Competitive Milwaukee,” said GMC President Julia Taylor. “Art knows how to turn good ideas into successful business ventures. We are confident that Art will be a critical player in the economic revitalization of Milwaukee’s inner city through ICM. With his vision and knowledge, this initiative will successfully address economic inequality in Milwaukee and provide a new vision for inner-city revitalization in this city.”



Smith founded Keystone Travel Services, American Express Travel Services in 1990. He has more than 36 years of business experience and is actively involved in the Milwaukee business community. He has received numerous honors and awards for business and community leadership. His biography is attached.



The GMC partnered with the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, the Helen Bader Foundation and a number of community leaders to develop an implementation strategy for this initiative. In addition, Boston-based Initiative for a Competitive Inner City was retained to conduct a Competitive Assessment and Strategy Project for inner city Milwaukee.



Based upon the ICIC research, the Initiative for a Competitive Milwaukee has determined four initial target industries in the inner city, as well as competitive strengths and regional business development opportunities. Initially, the initiative will focus on four industry clusters including Health Services, Construction and Development, Business Process Service Centers and Manufacturing Retention and Renewal.