Land use, energy, education and transportation are among the key issues that will be addressed at the 3rd Annual Michigan Legislative & Business Leaders Public Policy Forum, which will be held September 13-14, 2001 at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme. The Michigan Chamber Foundation is part of a coalition of local and regional chambers of commerce who are sponsoring the two-day event.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000320/DEM039 )
Findings from a major study on land use patterns and their future impact on Michigan's landscape and economic viability into the year 2040 will be unveiled at the forum during a panel presentation held on Thursday, September 13. The study, conducted by the Michigan Economic & Environmental Roundtable as part of its Michigan Land Resource Project, reveals how Michigan's resource-based industries -- agriculture, forestry, tourism and recreation, and mining -- will be affected if current land-use trends continue. Research findings also include economic forecasts and policy challenges important for local and statewide planners and decision-makers to consider. Dr. David Skole, from the Department of Geography at Michigan State University, will present the findings. Other panelists include: Dana Lee Cole, Managing Director, Travel Michigan; Dr. Curtis Thompkins, President, Michigan Technological University; and Wayne Wood, President, Michigan Farm Bureau.
Energy issues have made headline news around the country in recent months. What efforts are being made to address Michigan's energy supply and to develop a sustainable energy policy for the future will be discussed at the forum at a breakout session held on Friday, September 14. Speakers include: Laura Chapelle, Chair, Michigan Public Service Commission; and David Joos, President & CEO - Electric, Consumers Energy.
Fourteen presidents of Michigan's public universities, along with Doug Rothwell, CEO, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, will unveil findings from a major study on attracting and retaining high-tech graduates in Michigan during a panel presentation held on Thursday, September 13. The fourteen presidents are:
* Dr. Michael Rao, Central Michigan University * Dr. Samuel A. Kirkpatrick, Eastern Michigan University * Dr. William A. Sederburg, Ferris State University * Mark A. Murray, Grand Valley State University * Dr. Robert D. Arbuckle, Lake Superior State University * M. Peter McPherson, Michigan State University * Dr. Curtis J. Thompkins, Michigan Technological University * Dr. Judith I. Bailey, Northern Michigan University * Dr. Eric R. Gilbertson, Saginaw Valley State University * Lee C. Bollinger, University of Michigan * Dr. Daniel Little, University of Michigan - Dearborn * Dr. Juan E. Mestas, University of Michigan - Flint * Dr. Irvin D. Reid, Wayne State University * Dr. Elson S. Floyd, Western Michigan University
The study is the product of a new partnership between Michigan's public universities and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to attract and retain a quality workforce for Michigan businesses.
Anyone who lives in Michigan is no stranger to road and bridge repair. Orange cones and road repair signs have donned many Michigan roads this summer. How much progress Michigan has made in improving its roads and bridges and what challenges remain will be addressed at the forum during a breakout session held on Friday, September 14. Speakers include: Greg Rosine, Director, Michigan Department of Transportation; Gary Naeyeart, Director, Government & Public Relations, Michigan Road Builders Association; and Dana Lee Cole, Managing Director, Travel Michigan.
Other highlights of the forum include keynote presentations by David Pearce Snyder, Lifestyles Editor of Futurist magazine and pioneer social forecaster, who will discuss what's ahead "On the Global Horizon," and David E. Cole, Director of the Center for Automotive Research, and Management Partner at Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, who will discuss the "Auto Industry in the 21st Century."
"The forum has been developed by businesspeople in recognition of the need for public discourse among business leaders, state lawmakers, and community leaders on issues pertaining to Michigan's economic growth," said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Jim Barrett.
"The forum provides an excellent opportunity for business, community, and political leaders to discuss key economic and quality-of-life issues," said John Brown, President of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and one of the leading conference developers. "Our goal is to engage legislators and business leaders from across the state for a serious discussion that will lead to a viable plan for action."
More than 40 state legislators and leadership from both political parties plan to attend the forum. (See following list.)
The 3rd Annual Michigan Legislative & Business Leaders Public Policy Forum is open to business owners from all industries, senior managers and human resource specialists, corporate government affairs personnel, state and local elected officials and other community leaders. Members of the media are encouraged to attend.
Registration for the two-day conference is $279 per person. To register, or for more information, call 1-800-748-0344 or visit the Michigan Chamber's web site at http://www.michamber.com/ .
Local & Regional Chambers of Commerce Sponsor List
3rd Annual Michigan Legislative & Business
Leaders Public Policy Forum
Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce
Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
Central Macomb County Chamber of Commerce
Farmington and Farmington Hills Chamber of Commerce
Flint Area Chamber of Commerce
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
Holland Area Chamber of Commerce
Howell Area Chamber of Commerce
Kalamazoo County Chamber of Commerce
Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce
Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce
Southern Wayne County Chamber of Commerce
Sterling Heights Area Chamber of Commerce
Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce
Corporate Sponsors
3rd Annual Michigan Legislative & Business
Leaders Public Policy Forum
American Electric Power
Ameritech
Alticor
Citizens Insurance
Consumers Energy
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Dow Chemical
Dow Corning Corporation
General Motors
Ice Mountain
Kelley, Cawthorne PLC
Mead Paper Division
Michigan Association of Realtors
Standard & Poor's (SES: School Evaluation Services)
Tenneco Automotive
Legislators Participating in the 3rd Annual Michigan Legislative &
Business Leaders Public Policy Forum
Grand Traverse Resort, Acme
September 2001
(Current as of August 13, 2001)
Senators
Bill Bullard (R-Highland)
John Cherry (D-Clio), Minority Leader
Dan DeGrow (R-Port Huron), Majority Leader
Joanne Emmons (R-Big Rapids)
Valde Garcia (R-St. Johns)
Beverly Hammerstrom (R-Temperance)
Mike Goschka (R-Brant)
George McManus (R-Traverse City)
Joe Schwarz (R-Battle Creek)
Dale Shugars (R-Portage)
Ken Sikkema (R-Grandville)
Representatives
Jason Allen (R-Traverse City)
Patricia Birkholz (R-Saugatuck)
Richard Brown (D-Bessemer)
Nancy Cassis (R-Novi)
Sandy Caul (R-Mt. Pleasant)
Irma Clark (D-Detroit)
Stephen Ehardt (R-Lexington)
Robert Gosselin (R-Troy)
Doug Hart (R-Rockford)
Gilda Jacobs (D-Huntington Woods), Minority Floor Leader
Ruth Ann Jamnick (D-Ypsilanti)
Mark Jansen (R-Kentwood)
Rick Johnson (R-LeRoy), Speaker of the House
Wayne Kuipers (R-Holland)
Bill McConico (D-Detroit)
David Mead (R-Frankfort)
Mickey Mortimer (R-Horton)
Michael Murphy (D-Lansing)
John Pappageorge (R-Troy)
Steve Pestka (D-Grand Rapids)
William O'Neil (D-Allen Park)
Andrew Richner (R-Grosse Pointe Park)
Joseph Rivet (D-Bay City)
Mark Shauer (D-Battle Creek)
Marc Shulman (R-West Bloomfield)
Michael Switalski (D-Roseville)
Laura Toy (R-Livonia)
Barbara VanderVeen (R-Allendale)
Gerald Van Woerkom (R-Norton Shores)
Paula Zelenko (D-Burton)
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SOURCE: Michigan Chamber of Commerce
Contact: Betty McNerney, Director of Communications of Michigan Chamber
of Commerce, +1-517-371-7663
Website: http://www.michamber.com/