Economic and Workforce Development Conference comes to Vancouver
More than 500 people are expected to attend Governor Christine Gregoire’s Economic and Workforce Development Conference Sept. 6 and 7 at the Vancouver Hilton Hotel. This, said Gregoire’s executive policy adviser, Marc Baldwin, is the largest expected attendance – by more than 200 – of any of the governor’s previous conferences.
"We’ve filled two hotels and we’re starting on a third," Baldwin said.
The governor selected Vancouver as the host city because it reflects the themes of the conference, Baldwin said. Those themes include solid professional training programs, a robust port and the ability to work well with neighboring Oregon.
"It really wasn’t that difficult (to select Vancouver) when considering all those factors," Baldwin said.
The conference will address health care, advanced manufacturing, energy and infrastructure. Speakers will include Mayor Royce Pollard, Clark County Board of Commissioners Chair Mark Boldt, Mark Cummings of Battelle/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Jack Faris of Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association and Lisa Janiki of Janiki Industries.
During her presentation, the governor will present attendees with Economic and Workforce Development awards. It is the first time she has combined economic development and workforce development into one conference – two things Gregoire considers part and parcel to the future of Washington. So much so that she plans to divulge her strategic action plan at the conference, which will present initiatives directed at these two areas.
Baldwin said the to-be-revealed plan is based on information the governor has gathered from visiting communities around the state, and findings from her Global Competitiveness Council – an assembly of business, community and labor leaders she pulled together in April of 2001 to determine what the state can do to compete globally.
"This is not just another conference," Baldwin said. "What we want to do is to send the signal that we as a state are more like a small nation, and that we have global leadership skills. Also, that our educational system is a key component in keeping that lead."
Baldwin said the plan will address educational and skills development, expanding what is being called the "foundation for success," which involves infrastructure and business relationship development, and the ever-present rallying cry, "Open for Business."
"We think if we do the first two right, the third will follow," he said.
City of Vancouver Business Development Manager Gerald Baugh said having the conference in Vancouver is "a bit of a coup" for the city.
"We have not had a facility that would let us even be able to put our hand up and ask to be considered as a venue until now (with completion of the Hilton Hotel)," he said.
Baugh said the fact that there will be more than 500 people running around spending money for two days is a plus as well, but he’s most excited about the exposure.
"I think there’s a lot of people from around the state that have been hearing about Vancouver, and this gives them an excuse to come down and see what it’s all about," he said.
The City of Vancouver will host a reception for attendees Wednesday, Sept. 6 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Esther Short Park. Food from local restaurants will be provided.
Conference program:
Wednesday Sept. 6
5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Opening Reception at Esther Short Park
Thursday Sept. 7
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Welcome and Keynote Address
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Plenary Session: Targeted Industries Strategies
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Breakout Session: State and Local Initiatives
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Lunch
Awards Presentation
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Breakout Session: State and Local Initiatives
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Plenary Session Closing Address
Visit https://www.governor.wa.gov/priorities/policy/economy/conference/Gov_Conf_AtaGlance.pdf for more details.
