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2006 WEDA Fall Conference Agenda
Wednesday, October 4, 2006
10:30 am - 4:30 pmGolf Outing
LaCrosse Country Club
Island Girl Tour provided by SkipperLiner Industries
The Mississippi River is a natural resource that is an attribute to the creative economy. In addition to the global commerce taking place at the 13 loading/unloading docks in the Port of La Crosse, the La Crosse area riverfront attractions and amenities have grown in importance, luring visitors and employees to the area. Marc Schultz, retired UW-Extension Agent and Chairman of the La Crosse County Harbor Commission, will share how a natural resource can be harnessed to attract people from around the world.
7:30 pm - ?WEDA Hospitality Suite
Thursday, October 5, 2006
7:30 - 8:30 amRegistration
8:30 - 8:45 amWelcome and Opening Remarks:
WEDA President James Otterstein
Welcome to La Crosse Mayor Mark Johnsrud
ETC calls Wisconsin home
Fred Foster, Chief Executive Officer, Electronic Theatre Controls
Fred Foster is President and CEO of Electronic Theatre Controls, one of the largest developers and manufacturers of theatrical lighting equipment in the world. Providing creative lighting and illumination for projects and facilities from Broadway to Las Vegas to the Copenhagen Opera House,ETC has remained headquartered in Middleton, WI since it was founded by Fred and his brother Bill in 1975. Fred will share his reasons for calling Wisconsin home, and his perspective on Wisconsin's opportunities and challenges into the future.
9:45 - 10:00 amEmployer of Choice: Retaining and Attracting Skilled Workers to the Area
Christine Geissler, Director Human Resources, Nestlé Retails Operations Center (NROC).
Bob Kelleman, VP Human Resources, Logistics Health Inc. Representative, Gundersen Lutheran Healthcare
Well established businesses have long believed that their success is built upon the strength of their employees. In this panel session, business leaders from Wisconsin companies Nestle, Logistics Health Inc., and Gundersen Lutheran Healthcare will share their strategies and techniques used to attract a diverse pool of talented people. The panel will also offer tips on how to create a "cool place" to attract young talent as well as ways to distinguish a business as a "workplace of choice."
11:00- 11:30 amView Exhibit / Break
Sponsored by Coulee Bank
How City Vision Complements the Effort to Attract Talent.
Bud Miyamoto Downtown Main Street
Power Point Demonstration (4.3 Mb)
Larry Kirch, Director of City Planning, City of La Crosse
Demonstration - Part One (3.5 Mb PDF)
Demonstration - Part Two (3.4 Mb PDF)
Downtown development and redevelopment efforts are growing in Wisconsin as communities are beginning to recognize their downtown areas as the hub of the regional economic wheel. The City Vision 2020 Master Plan, presented by La Crosse City Planner, Larry Kirch, and Downtown Mainstreet Inc. Executive Director, Bud Miyamoto, will give insight into creating and implementing a downtown plan to bring more residents, businesses, employees, and visitors to the central business district by shaping the downtown as a desirable place to work and live.
12:30 - 1:30 pmLuncheon Buffet - Welcome from WEDA Board
1:30 - 2:00 pmGovernor Doyle, Democrat Gubernatorial Candidate (Invited)
Congressman Mark Green, Republican Gubernatorial Candidate (Invited)
Benchmarking the State of the Creative Economy in Wisconsin
Anne Katz, Executive Director, Arts Wisconsin
Jerry Hembd, Associate Professor, UW-Superior/Extension , Northern Center for Community and Economic Development. Center for Community and Economic Development
Matt Kures, GIS Specialist, UW-Extension, Center for Community and Economic Development
http://artspaceusa.org/
Stacey L. Mickelson, Director, Government Relations, Artspace, Minnepolis
Tom Nordyke, Consultant, Artspace
What is Wisconsin's Creative Economy and how does it contribute to the state's economic well-being? Matt Kures and Jerry Hembd of the University of Wisconsin-Extension, will share results from a new study benchmarking the state of the Creative Economy in Wisconsin. Come and learn more about the size of Wisconsin's Creative economy, how the Creative Economy is a growing part of traditional industry sectors, and strategies for communities and regions seeking to nurture their own creative industries and workforce.
3:15 - 4:00 pmSecretary Mary Burke, Wisconsin Department of Commerce
The Latest News from Commerce
Power Point Demonstration (2.2 Mb)
Downtown Tour of La Crosse
Historic Downtown La Crosse is one of the largest historic districts in Wisconsin with 96 contributing historic buildings and is included in the National Register of Historic Places. In 2002, Downtown La Crosse received the Great American Main Street Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The tour of downtown will feature the stops listed above as well as some commentary about the other historic buildings that we pass by.
6:30 - 7:30 pmWorld Famous WEDA Reception
Logistics Health Corporate Headquarters
The Logistics Health Corporate Headquarters is La Crosse's newest building along the Mississippi River. The foyer area was built in the style of the Stoddard Hotel that once stood in Downtown La Crosse. From the restaurant area, diners can overlook the magnificent views of the Mississippi River, the bluff line of Minnesota, Riverside Park, and the two river bridges.
7:30 - ???Oktoberfest Activities
Torchlight Parade.
WEDA Hospitality Suite
Friday, October 6, 2006
7:30 - 8:30Breakfast Buffet / View Exhibits
8:30- 9:45WBIA presents Business Incubators and their Role in the Creative Economy
Steve Healy, President and CEO, Pierce-Pepin Electric Cooperative
Power Point Demonstration (1.0 Mb)
Marianne Morton, Executive Director, Common Wealth Development
Power Point Demonstration (0.8 Mb)
Creative Economy Tool Kit: Action Steps Ideas Resources
Andy Lewis, Professor, Center for Community and Economic Development
Anne Katz, Executive Director, Arts Wisconsin
Power Point Demonstration (3.3 Mb)
Western Wisconsin Legislators: What will the 2006/2007 Session bring?
Senator Dan Kapanke (Invited)
Representative Mike Huebsch (Invited)
Representative Jennifer Schilling (Invited)
Conference Wrap-Up
