By Paris Jackson

EUGENE, Ore--The cities of Eugene and Springfield will join community partners in a regional economic summit Thursday morning. The group's also asked the community to attend and share their ideas as well.

Organizers said the summit is the perfect opportunity for everyone to participate.

For the last year, city and county leaders have been working together on economic development strategies to move the region forward.

The idea behind the summit is to share ideas and develop a unified vision. Focused on economic improvements to make the region more competitive and sustainable.

By 2020, the regional goal is to create 20,000 new jobs, reduce the unemployment rate, and increase the annual wage.

"Really what we're trying to do is anticipate and be ready for the next economy, " Eugene City Manager Jon Ruiz said.

University of Oregon President Richard Lariviere will be the keynote speaker. Following his speech, there will be five different break-out sessions.

Ruiz said after Thursday's summit all the information will be compiled and given to an advisory group. The group will develop a set of recommendations to be passed along to Eugene, Springfield, and Lane County elected officials.