Economic Summit II - News Release

Wisconsin's Economy at the Crossroads:
Building Higher Paying Jobs for the Future

November 26-27, 2001
Midwest Express Center, Milwaukee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2001

CONTACT: Kevin Boatright
(608) 263-2227

Wisconsin Economic Summit II Features Keynote Speaker
Daniel Burrus; Registration Still Available

MADISON -- It's not too late to register on-line for Wisconsin Economic Summit II, to be held Nov. 26-27 at the Midwest Express Center in Milwaukee. The process is simple -- go to www.wisconsin.edu/summit and click on "registration," or call 1-800-222-3623 toll-free.

According to Laurie Dies, summit coordinator with the University of Wisconsin System, more than 775 people have already signed up to attend the meeting. "Registering in advance, on-line or by phone, ensures you'll have a place at this major statewide gathering of leaders from business, state government and the UW System," says Dies.

The featured keynote speaker on Monday is Daniel Burrus, one of the world's leading technology forecasters. Over the past two decades, he has established an exceptional record of accurately predicting the future of technological change. He is also a successful entrepreneur who has founded and managed five Wisconsin-based businesses, including Burrus Research Associates, Inc., a research and consulting firm that specializes in global innovations in science and technology.

"Wisconsin is at a crossroads," says Burrus. "The decisions we make and the actions we take will profoundly shape the future of the state long into the next decade. There has never been a greater opportunity for strategically positioning Wisconsin to thrive in the decades to come. In order to provide high paying jobs for the future, we must have a forward-focused infrastructure in place, we must enhance and leverage our university system, and we must maximize Wisconsin's unique benefits as we create a shared vision for the future."

Burrus' presentation at the economic summit is entitled "Futureview: Shaping Wisconsin's Future Today!" It is designed to provide valuable insights into present and future applications of recent advances in technology, enabling participants to make sound planning decisions. Burrus' view is that "change is opportunity, as you learn how to turn a rapidly changing environment into a competitive advantage."

"We are still in the early stages of multiple, simultaneous, global revolutions," says Burrus, "driven by technological innovations that will affect how we live, work and play. The question is, will Wisconsin be behind the wheel or languishing in the back seat? It is crucial for Wisconsin to create a strategic, shared vision of the future and take action on the forces that are driving permanent, predictable change."

Burris produces Technotrends newsletter and is the author of six books, including Technotrends: How to Use Technology to Go Beyond Your Competition, which has been translated into more than a dozen languages. The New York Times has referred to him as one of the top three business "gurus and he is in high demand as a speaker by business groups nationwide.

The entire summit program is available on-line at www.wisconsin.edu/summit. Other highlights of the day-and-a-half gathering include the following presentations and panels:

Monday

Ten pre-summit workshops, on a variety of timely topics, starting at 8:45 a.m.
"Wisconsin's New Economy on the Move: What Has Happened Since Summit I?," Katharine Lyall, President, University of Wisconsin System
"The Wisconsin Economy, Benchmarks and Trends," David J. Ward, President, NorthStar Economics
Greater Milwaukee Committee Report, James Keyes, CEO, Johnson Controls
Governor's Reception and Remarks, Gov. Scott McCallum

Tuesday

Remarks, Lt. Gov. Margaret Farrow
"Federal Perspective on Boosting Wisconsin's Economy," Rep. Tom Barrett and Rep. Mark Green
"The Milwaukee Momentum: A Case for Urban Economic Development"
"Lessons Learned: Gaining Knowledge from Successful Economic Strategies" (Part 1)
"Lessons Learned: How Can We Jointly Embrace Best Practices at Home?" (Part 2)
"The Cluster Model for Economic Development in Wisconsin" (Part 1)
"The Cluster Model for Economic Development in Wisconsin: Biotechnology/Biomedical Industry -- A New and Growing Cluster" (Part 2)
"Preserving Wisconsin's Economic Backbone: Can Wisconsin's Traditional Industries -- Manufacturing and Agriculture -- Survive and Thrive?" (Part 1)
"Preserving Wisconsin's Economic Backbone: Assisting Wisconsin's Service Industries" (Part 2)
"Wisconsin's People Power: Trends, Issues and Challenges" (Part 1)
"Wisconsin's People Power: Trends, Issues and Challenges: Solving the Brain Drain Problem" (Part 2)
"Infrastructure Strategies: Is Wisconsin Prepared to Meet Future Energy, Transportation and Digital Needs?"
"Mobile Corporate Headquarters: Why Businesses Stay or Leave and What We Can Do to Retain Them"
"Tapping Our Hidden Resources: New Partners in an Expanding Economy"
"The Media and Wisconsin's Economy: Reporting What Matters?"
"Successful Entrepreneurs: How Can We Enhance the Entrepreneurial Climate?"
"Statewide Strengths: Regional Activities Throughout Wisconsin"
"Educating Our Workforce and Training Workers: The Critical Transition Points in Our Educational System"
"On-Ramp to the New Economy Superhighway: Increasing Everyone's Stake in the Economic Health and Wealth of Our Economy," luncheon remarks by George Franco, Chair, Council on the New Economy, and Bob Milbourne, President, Greater Milwaukee Committee
"The Role of Government in Building the New Economy," with legislative leaders
"Wisconsin's Economy at the Crossroads: Choosing the Right Road to Map Our Future," closing remarks by UW System Regent President Jay L. Smith

Also available now on the summit website are 15 briefing papers, including eight regional reports, an analysis of Wisconsin's export industries, a comparison of economic development strategies in neighboring states, a preview of Wisconsin's economy in the year 2010, and reflections on economic uses for the state budget.

Wisconsin Economic Summit II is co-hosted by the UW System and the UW System Board of Regents. Major support is provided by 29 member banks of the Wisconsin Bankers Association, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and The Widget Source.

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