Conference Agenda
February 7-9, 2007
2007 Governor's Conference on Economic Development Final Attendee List
You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view PDF files. This software is available as a FREE download.Wednesday, February 7, 2007
4:00 - 6:00 p.m. WEDA Legislative Committee Meeting (Madison Club)
The WEDA Legislative Committee will be taking input from WEDA members and interested economic developers regarding 2007 legislative issues.
5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Early Registration (Madison Club)
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. President's Reception (Madison Club)
Interact and network with WEDA Past Presidents during this recognition reception.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
7:30 - 12:00 p.m.Registration (Monona Terrace Community & Conference Center)
7:30 - 8:30 a.m.Coffee/Networking/View Exhibits
8:30 - 9:00 a.m.Keynote Address:
Governor Jim Doyle (Invited)
The Governor will provide a snapshot of the state's economic development successes and challenges.
9:00 - 9:45 a.m.A Wisconsin Success Story
One of the top executives of Midwest Airlines will outline how the company achieves its benchmarks of excellence in Wisconsin, and what the state must do to help businesses thrive.
Scott R. Dickson, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Midwest Airlines
9:45 - 10:30 a.m.Dashboard Indicators: Growth Factors That Determine Economic Performance
Wisconsin communities are regularly among the leading metro areas in national studies that measure quality of life, employment growth and entrepreneurship. But what factors are truly the most important in determining area growth? What factors will turn a slow-moving economy based on traditional industries into a vibrant, high-performance economy?
The Upjohn Institute, a nonprofit research group in Kalamazoo, MI, answers those questions with a just-completed analysis of growth factors impacting 118 metropolitan areas across the country. The study pinpoints eight crucial factors-Dashboard Indicators-that are exhibited by regions experiencing higher-than-average economic growth. This session outlines the lessons learned from that groundbreaking analysis and reveals the key factors you must focus on to achieve economic growth for your area.
George Erickcek, Senior Regional Analyst, W.E. Upjohn Institute
Click Here to Download Presentation
If you would like the PowerPoint version, please contact the WEDA office at weda@weda.org
10:30 - 11:00 a.m.Break/View Exhibits
11:00 - 11:45 a.m.Benchmarks of Excellence: Best Practices in Economic Development
GSP Consulting Corporation of Pittsburgh, PA, has conducted an unprecedented comparative analysis of economic development strategies, programs, and organizations around the country to identify 'best' and 'worst' practices in the field. The project (scheduled for completion in January 2007) has involved hundreds of hours of empirical research, focus groups, interviews, business planning, and community reporting. You'll be among the first in the country to get the results of this enlightening research-results you can use to refine and strengthen your economic development strategy.
Dr. Jerry Paytas, Director of Research, GSP Consulting Corporation
Richard Overmoyer, Director of GSP Economic Architecture, GSP Consulting Corporation
Click Here to Download Presentation
If you would like the PowerPoint version, please contact the WEDA office at weda@weda.org
Noon - 1:30 p.m.Governor's Conference Luncheon
Presentation of the 2007 WEDA Biennial Awards
Ready for our close-up: Film takes a lead role in expanding Wisconsin economic development
James Otterstein, 2006 WEDA President
Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton
1:30 - 1:45 p.m.Break/View Exhibits
1:45- 2:45 p.m.A Journey Into the Future
Travel through the uncharted territory of the future with business executive and futurist Ed Barlow. Explore the rapid and dramatic economic, technological, social, and political changes which are ahead. Frame the implications of these changes for you and your organization. Strategize on ways to anticipate and prepare for a continuum of change. Dare to imagine and dare to prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead. You won't get drowsy during this session!
Ed Barlow, Business Executive, Management Consultant and Futurist
If you would like the PowerPoint presentation, please contact the WEDA office at weda@weda.org.
A website and password will be sent to you.
2:45 - 3:45 p.m.Clearing the Air: Wisconsin's Litigation Atmosphere & The State of the Judiciary
Two years ago, Wisconsin was ranked among the top 10 legal systems for "litigation atmosphere" in the country. Today, that same poll by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform ranks Wisconsin 23rd. Due to recent State Supreme Court decisions (and state government inaction to reverse them), Wisconsin's deteriorating litigation atmosphere is viewed by many as the state's #1 economic development issue. In this session, a national expert will explain why litigation atmosphere is such a critical factor in business retention, expansion and location decisions; and a respected Wisconsin legal scholar will present observations on Wisconsin's civil justice system (including the critical role of the judiciary), today - and tomorrow?
Joseph D. Kearney, Dean and Professor of Law, Marquette University Law School
Curt Mercadante, Consultant, U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform
James E. Hough, Hamilton Consulting Group & WEDA
Click Here to Download Presentation
If you would like the PowerPoint version, please contact the WEDA office at weda@weda.org
3:45 - 4:45 p.m.Clearing the Air: Wisconsin's Investment Climate
Wisconsin's investment climate has warmed considerably during the past few years thanks to legislative initiatives to remove regulatory barriers to venture capital investment, the growth of angel networks and the State of Wisconsin Investment Board's allocation of $185 million to state venture capital firms since 2000. Despite the improvements, Wisconsin still lags the national average and that of its neighboring states in venture capital investment. When it comes to capital for growth and expansion, Wisconsin banks point out that they are required to be somewhat conservative by regulators and shareholder expectations. This session will focus on what constitutes an attractive investment climate for a state and what Wisconsin can do to improve the availability of adequate capital at all stages of the business cycle (start-up, growth and expansion).
John Neis, CFA, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Venture Investors of Wisconsin, Inc.
Kurt R. Bauer, President/CEO, Wisconsin Bankers Association
Click Here to Download Presentation
If you would like the PowerPoint version, please contact the WEDA office at weda@weda.org
4:45 - 5:30 p.m.WEDA Annual Meeting
The WEDA Annual Meeting will include release of WEDA's Annual Report and election of five WEDA Board members.
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.Reception
Exhibitor Hall, Monona Terrace
Friday, February 9, 2007
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.Breakfast Buffet
Exhibitor Hall, Monona Terrace
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.Shaping Wisconsin's Economic Development Future
Fiscal realities are forcing states to re-examine their economic development programs and policies. Accountability, effectiveness and overall utilization are common themes that policy makers have raised. Here in Wisconsin, a recent Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB) report found that the state spent an estimated $152.8 million on economic development programs in the 2003-2005 biennium through 152 separate programs administered by state agencies. The report also offered a number of recommendations to streamline economic development programs and enhance accountability.
In response to the LAB report, WEDA leadership testified before the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and offered its assistance to “help develop and implement meaningful reforms and to reinforce what works well.” In this interactive session, WEDA's legislative team will outline its comprehensive response to the LAB report, then open the floor for a no-holds-barred discussion of how to improve the effectiveness of Wisconsin's economic development delivery system.
GSP Consulting will add additional perspective and expertise, including nationwide research and specific state case studies.
Don't miss this opportunity to help shape Wisconsin's economic development future.
WEDA Legislative Team & GSP Consulting:
James Otterstein, 2007 WEDA Immediate Past President, Economic Development Manager, Rock County Planning & Development Agency
Peter Thillman, EDFP, Dean of Workforce Development, Lakeshore Technical College
Andy Lisak, 2007 WEDA President, Executive Director, The Development Association
Roger Nacker, Executive Director, WEDI
Dr. Jerry Paytas, Director of Research, GSP Consulting Corporation
Richard Overmoyer, Director of GSP Economic Architecture, GSP Consulting Corporation
Click Here to Download Presentation
If you would like the PowerPoint version, please contact the WEDA office at weda@weda.org
11:00 - 11:30 a.m. Update from Department of Commerce and Department of Workforce Development
Pam Christenson, Director, Bureau of Entrepreneurship, Dept. of Commerce
Sue Gleason, Director of Office of Economic Initiatives
Dennis Winters, Chief Economist, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
11:30 - 11:45 a.m.Conference Wrap-Up
Andy Lisak, 2007 WEDA President
