Reminder: Friday, July 20 Economic Summit in Austin

Note: Jason B. has a great round-up of recent Walz news over that IDHA. He may be late in getting the news, but there's some pride to be taken when nice guys finish last.  [/note].

It's too late to order lunch at the Economic Summit on Friday, but anyone who wish to attend the event may do so.  From an earlier post:

Austin Holiday Inn, 1701 4th Street NW on Friday, July 20, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The economic summit is free and open to the public. Same-day registration begins at 8:30.

The 2007 Economic Summit will convene southern Minnesota business community, renewable energy experts, local and state level policy makers, transportation professionals, healthcare experts, and innovation and technology developers to discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with our regional economic prosperity.

9:00 a.m.   PANEL: Agriculture, Energy, Conservation, and Rural Economic Development

Moderator: Dr. Alan Levine,  Dean, College of Agricultural, Food and Natural Resource Sciences, University of Minnesota
Loni Kemp,  Senior Policy Analyst, Minnesota Project
George Crocker, Director,  Community Based Energy Development
Thom Peterson, legislative representative,  Minnesota Farmers Union
Kevin Paap, President, Minnesota Farm Bureau
Doug Tiffany, Research Fellow,  University of Minnesota
Bob Worth, President, Minnesota Soybean Growers

10:15 a.m.  PANEL: Transportation, Infrastructure, and Technology

Moderator: Bob Johns, Director, Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota
Red Arndt, Chair, Lewis and Clark Rural Water System
Mark Troutman, Vice President,  Benchmark Electronics
Amy Fredregill, Managing Director, Minnesota Association of Cooperatives
Jack Geller,  President, Center for Rural Policy and Development
Wes Urevig, President,  SE Minnesota Buildings and Trade Council
Bill Arndt, General Manager-Plainview,  Lakeside Foods

11:45 p.m.    Lunch* and Keynote address by U.S. Congressman Tim Walz

Menu: Soup, Sandwich Bar, Relish Tray, Pasta Salad, Potato Chips, and a Brownie or Cookie

1:00 p.m.    PANEL: Addressing Health Care access and quality

Moderator: Dr. Glenn Forbes, CEO,  Mayo Clinic-Rochester
Dr. Zigang Dong, Executive Director,  Hormel Institute
Dr. Mark Matthias, Chief Medical Officer,  Mankato Clinic
Dr. Noel Peterson,  past president, Olmsted Medical Group
Drew Flaada, Director,  IBM-Mayo Collaborative
Mary Bliesmer, Professor and Chair, School of Nursing,  Minnesota State University--Mankato

2:15 p.m.   PANEL: Linking our Education system to local Economic Development

Moderator: Dr. Bob Hoffman, Vice President of Strategic Business, Education and Regional Partnerships, Minnesota State University-Mankato
Dr. Terry Leas, President, Riverland Community College
Barb Embacher, School to Work Program, Mankato Public Schools
Valerie Pace, Central Region Manager, IBM
Rene Lara,  Education Minnesota

3:30 p.m.    CONCLUSION