GIC: The Intersection of Policy, People, and Place
This month I had the pleasure of attending the Global Interdependence Center’s Teton Economic Outlook in breathtaking Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This annual event gathers economists, analysts, and policy leaders to explore the forces shaping both our global economy and local communities.
One session stood out as particularly powerful. “The Economics of Immigration” was led by Dr. Pia Orrenius from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and immigration attorney Jonathan Grode of Green and Spiegel. Dr. Orrenius offered sharp, data-driven insights into U.S. labor trends and demographic shifts while Grode laid out a compelling case for how outdated and inconsistent immigration policy creates real-world, unintended consequences for employers, industries, and people.
One fact was hard to unhear. The United States has no visa category for low-skilled workers. That means there is currently no legal pathway for individuals to enter the U.S. to fill essential roles such as dishwashers, food processors, and farm workers. These positions keep foodservice, hospitality, and tourism industries functioning. Without reform, this policy gap puts an enormous strain on businesses and workers alike. It is not just a political issue. It is an economic and humanitarian one.
This theme echoed through other sessions, including a revealing presentation on Jackson Hole’s own economy by Jonathan Schechter, member of the Jackson Town Council. Teton County is home to one of the highest levels of income inequality in the United States. The majority of the region’s wealth is held by a small percentage of residents, while most of the workers who sustain Jackson’s tourism economy supporting restaurants, hotels, retail shops, and outdoor recreation are priced out of living there. Most commute long distances from neighboring towns or even across state lines from Idaho.
As someone professionally rooted in hospitality, these dynamics feel both personal and structural. Events like this remind me how closely our global economy and human well-being are tied. I’m grateful to Jillian Fornito and the entire GIC team for cultivating such rich dialogue around timely and often overlooked issues, and to the incredible presenters who shined a light on how policy and people intersect.
Beyond the sessions, Jackson Hole offered moments of grounding and joy. My best friend and I floated down the Snake River, practiced yoga in the Tetons, cheered at the Rodeo, and yes we spotted a wild pack of bison in a true Wilderness Girls off-roading adventure. I also scored a pair of vintage Lucchese boots at the local “Slow Food” farmers market from a vendor focused on high-quality secondhand goods. I love supporting local circular economies, especially when I can find something timeless and sustainable to carry forward.
These events always bring me back to reflecting on the core of my professional role – marketing and communications. In marketing, we often talk about the 4 Ps — Product, Price, Place, and Promotion — as the foundational elements of any successful strategy. But to build an economy that truly thrives, we must also consider a parallel set of Ps: Policy, Purpose, Place, and People. Policy sets the guardrails for equity, access, and opportunity. Purpose gives our work meaning and direction beyond profit. Place grounds us in community and environment, shaping the culture and conditions in which we live and work. And People are the heart of it all, the creators, consumers, and connectors who drive progress.
When these four forces align, only then can they create the conditions for the traditional 4 Ps of marketing to flourish. Products become more relevant. Pricing becomes more ethical. Place becomes more inclusive. Promotion becomes more resonant.
In short, we cannot market or sell in a vacuum. A thriving economy requires intentional investment in policy that protects, purpose that inspires, places that support life and labor, and people who power everything. Marketing may be the voice, but these elements shape the story worth telling.
I returned home with a fresh perspective, deep gratitude, and a renewed commitment to championing solutions that uplift workers, strengthen communities, and build systems that work for everyone. Because progress starts with people and grows through courageous conversations at the intersection of policy, purpose, and place.