WEDA Spring 2003 Conference


7:30 - 8:30 a.m.	Registration, Coffee and Networking
8:30 - 8:45 a.m.	Opening Remarks Jan M. Alf, President Wisconsin Economic Development Association Welcome to Central Wisconsin Kristen Fish, Community Development Department City of Wausau Barbara Fleisner Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry
8:45 - 10:00 a.m.	Creating Alliances and Making Them Work Regional alliances are proving to be effective tools for economic developers when used to solve complex multi-community or countywide issues involving multiple organizations. How are successful alliances created? What are the challenges? What does the research show? Lay Gibson and Roger Dale are experts in the development and maintenance of alliances. One size does not fit all. They will offer their "12 commandments" for developing successful alliances.
10:00 - 10:15 a.m.	Networking with Sponsors and Colleagues
10:15 - 11:00 a.m.	Health Care Trends and Economic Development As an industry, health care is a major economic driver in many regions and health care services represent a significant and growing share of regional employment and economic health. As a former economic development professional and corporate communications director Linda Brei understands the changing health care environment and the impact on economic development. Linda G. Brei, Vice President, Marketing and Public Affairs University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinic
11:00 a.m. - Noon	Central Wisconsin's Growing Health Care Cluster If "take two aspirin and call me in the morning" no longer works for your community, you'll want to attend this informative panel discussion with these regional health care experts. These panelists are leaders in this fast-growing regional health cluster. They will share their views on a variety of issues including collaboration, competition, increasing costs, changing patient demographics and a shortage of workers. It is just what the doctor ordered. Moderator: Linda G. Brei Health Care Panel: Jim Coleman, Chief Operations Officer Marshfield Clinic Michael Dallman, Executive Director Wisconsin Valley Health Network Nick Desien, President & CEO Ministry Health Care Janet Newman, Instructional Team Leader Northcentral Technical College
Noon - 1:00 p.m.	Luncheon Buffet
1:00 - 2:15 p.m.	Regional Alliances at Work - What Can We Learn? Leaders of three long-standing successful alliances will join Lay Gibson and Roger Dale. These professionals, representing alliances in southeastern and northwestern Wisconsin and northeastern Minnesota, have years of experience building and working within collaborative structures. The discussion will result in practical information for you to use and build alliances in your region or community. Moderators: Lay James Gibson and Roger Dale Panel: Penny Scheuerman, Economic Development Manager WE Energies, Milwaukee Darcy Way, Director Momentum Chippewa Valley Nancy Norr, Economic Development Manager Minnesota Power
2:15 - 2:45 p.m.	Networking with Sponsors and Colleagues
2:45 - 3:00 p.m	Frank Busalacchi, Secretary Wisconsin Department of Transportation
3:00 - 3:30 p.m.	Transportation Improvements Grow Wisconsin's Economy: The Economic Benefits of Transportation Investments A Study prepared by Cambridge Systematics, Inc. This just released study describes the positive economic impacts of transportation investment in Wisconsin through quantitative and qualitative research. It demonstrates how investments in transportation provide substantial benefits to Wisconsin's economy. Bob Cook, Executive Director Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin
3:30 - 4:00 p.m.	Highway Improvements - The Catalyst for Community Development The transformation of Highway 29 to four-lane has certainly changed the transportation landscape in central Wisconsin. It has also had a significant impact on community development along the Highway 29 corridor. In 2000 the "Highway 29 Community Partnership" was formed to encourage cooperative development planning for five communities. Another example - the just finished Highway 151 economic impact study (along the entire Highway 151 corridor) will assist communities in Wisconsin and Iowa to do the same. James H. Pfalzgraf, President Thorp Area Development Corp. Edward Bible, Economic Development Planner Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
4:00 - 4:30 p.m.	The Marquette Interchange Project - From the Front Line Don Reinbold is the Director in charge of the Marquette Interchange Project. He will provide us with an in-depth look at this huge renovation of the downtown Milwaukee highway corridor. He will talk about the design of the interchange, the challenges his team faces and the impact this project is having on the region. Don Reinbold, Director of Marquette Interchange Team Wisconsin Department of Transportation