Economically Speaking: Business development conference to focus on jobs

Kelvin Simmons is director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

Gov. Bob Holden has stated "nothing is more important to the future of Missouri families, businesses and communities than jobs. Without good jobs, our state will not have the kind of sustained economic growth we need to ensure a bright future for citizens in all parts of the state."

We at the Department of Economic Development certainly agree with that and believe our No. 1 priority is jobs. But at the same time, we want to give Missourians more high-quality career options and ensure that our work force is prepared to compete for jobs in high-tech growth industries. These are the types of jobs that will increase the earning potential of our families; strengthen local economies; and enable our people, our communities and our businesses to remain competitive in an economy that has gone global.

As we target high-tech industries and high-wage jobs, or apply new technologies to older-line industries, we realize that education, skills and innovation are the three main components of Missouri's future economic success. And that's why "Jobs: Skills, Education, Innovation" is the focal point of the upcoming 46th Annual Governor's Business Development Conference.

The department will join forces once again with the Missouri Economic Development Council, combining our conference with the MEDC's Spring Conference. The MEDC Conference will begin May 19 and the Business Development Conference will start at noon May 20 and run until the following afternoon. The conferences are at The Lodge of Four Seasons at Lake Ozark.

Conference goers will have ample opportunity to learn more about how innovation is shaping some of Missouri's cutting-edge companies, and how the life sciences and other high-tech industries are faring in Missouri. Attendees can also choose to attend one of a variety of concurrent sessions that will cover topics related to work force, community and business development; global trade; and rural development.

Holden is scheduled as the keynote speaker at the annual awards luncheon May 21, where he will also join the department in recognizing individuals and businesses from around the state for their outstanding achievements over the past year. This year's presentation will feature both familiar and new award categories: innovative training/work force development; small business; technology; community development; exporter; export volunteer; urban project; rural project; marketer (urban area); marketer (rural area); film project; film volunteer; and career service in economic development.

The traveling Governor's Achievement Award will be given to the most outstanding winner from one of these 13 categories. A representative from Schreiber Foods Inc., of Clinton, the 2003 Governor's Achievement Award winner, will be on hand to pass the traveling trophy to the 2004 recipient.

Other highlights of the conference include the opening keynote address, featuring Harold "Bud" Hodgkinson, director of the Institute for Educational Leadership's Center for Demographic Policy. Two general-session panel discussions will take place May 20. Four of Missouri's distinguished life-science leaders will share their knowledge about the industry, followed by a session featuring representatives from cutting-edge Missouri companies who will share their insight about the importance of innovation in the knowledge-based economy. Another general session May 21 will feature representatives of Boeing, one of our state's largest companies, focusing on Missouri's business climate. And, of course, there will also be many opportunities to network and discuss the latest economic development trends.

For more information about the 46th Annual Governor's Economic Development Conference, visit the conference Web site at www.ded.mo.gov/govconf 04.html, or call Becky Verslues at 573-751-2741. For information about the Missouri Economic Development Council's Conference, call Pat Amick at 573-636-7383.