The future of Michigan cities and counties is among several key public policy issues that will be addressed at the 5th Annual Michigan Legislative & Business Leaders Future Forum, which will be held September 11-12, 2003 at Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville. The Michigan Chamber Foundation is part of a coalition of local and regional chambers of commerce who are sponsoring the two-day event.

The Future Forum will begin with a panel presentation on "Metropolitan Governance for the New Economy." Scheduled speakers include: Bruce Katz, Vice President of The Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C., and Myron Orfield, President of Ameregis, a Minneapolis, Minnesota research and geographic information systems firm.

A second panel presentation will address "The Future of Education." Scheduled speakers include: Jeff Crouse, Chief Financial Officer at Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District, who will discuss "Consolidating Operations for Financial Savings"; Gerald Dawkins, Superintendent of Saginaw Public Schools, who will discuss "Balancing School Funding & Performance Issues"; Michael Stewart, Associate Director, School Evaluation Services at Standard & Poor's, New York, who will discuss "Accountability for the 21st Century," and Thomas E. White, Executive Director of Michigan School Business Officials in Lansing, who will discuss "A Look at School Consolidation Issues."

A third panel presentation will address "The Future of Health Care." This session will explore the shortage of medical professionals, trends in benefit plan design, and public-private partnerships in health insurance.

A series of breakout sessions will round out the afternoon on opening day, followed by a legislative reception. The five breakout sessions, which will be offered again on the following morning, will address:

  -- Protecting Our Great Lakes
  -- Investing in Our Health Care Resources
  -- Managing Our Growth for a Sustainable Future
  -- Financing Our Transportation Needs
  -- Educating Ourselves on School Funding

The popular "Latte' with Legislators," where state legislators and leaders from both political parties participate in regional roundtable discussions, will kickoff the second day of the Future Forum.

Following the "Latte' with Legislators," Frank H. Beal, Executive Director of Chicago Metropolis 2020, will discuss "Building Bridges Between Cities and Suburbs."

The Future Forum will close with a luncheon and wrap-up session.

Those invited to attend the forum include business owners, CEOs and senior management; corporate government and community affairs personnel; economic and community development professionals; K-12 and higher education administrators; local, regional and state government officials; and community leaders from across the state.

Registration for the two-day conference is $299 per person for those who register by August 1, 2003. After August 1, the registration fee is $349 per person. To register, or for more information, call 1-800-748-0344 or visit the Michigan Chamber's web site at www.michamber.com .

SOURCE: Michigan Chamber Foundation

CONTACT: Betty McNerney, Director of Communications of Michigan Chamber
of Commerce, +1-517-371-7663

Web site: http://www.michamber.com/