That will allow our communities to be more successful and more effective. I want to spend the remainder of my brief time discussing a few emerging issues for you to consider over the next few days, as you participate in the conference workshops and plenary sessions.
Emerging trends My comments will focus on the labor market and the importance it plays in shaping the future of our nation, but more relevant for this group, how it is shaping the future of our cities. The financial crisis and Great Recession led to severe dislocations in many sectors of our economy, including the housing sector, financial markets, and the labor market.