2020 Policy Summit - Virtual Event

August 25 | 2:00 PM: ND's Hospitality Industry: Navigating Forward
COVID19's introduction of the phrase, "social distancing" slammed the brakes on progress and prosperity occurring in the hospitality industry. The vibrancy of hotels, restaurants, and bars impacts a community beyond food and beverage sales to resident attraction and engagement, adding to tax revenue, and employing North Dakotans. Quick pivots and shifts, with community support and ordinance changes, allowed hospitality businesses to survive despite pandemic restrictions. Panelists will discuss strategies moving forward to ensure this industry is able to creatively move past hurdles to a place of vitality again.

Panelists:

• Dusty Jensen, COO, Apple Core Enterprises
• Rep. Mike Lefor, Owner, Blue 42 Sports Grille & Bar
• Shannon McQuade-Ely, President, McQuade Distributing Co. Inc
• Lisa Hixson-Moltzen, Regency Hotel Management

Moderator: Rudie Martinson, Executive Director, ND Hospitality Association



Chat Moderator: Justin Fisk, Marketing and Communications Director, Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation

August 26 | 10:00 AM: Occupational Licensure: Refinement or Reform
In recent years, occupational licensure reform has gained momentum at the federal level as well as the state level. In 2019, licensing affected 3 in 10 workers and more than 1,000 occupations. Some states have worked to repeal licenses while others are focusing on removing barriers or removing requirements for access. Each state has taken its own strategy, Idaho has reduced or removed associated fees, Connecticut has removed the need for certain licenses, and Arizona has offered universal reciprocity. While the goal is to address workforce challenges, there is a concern about the fine line between entry restrictions for workers and protecting the public from untrained/incompetent practitioners.

Panelists:

• Katie Ralston, Workforce Division Director, ND Dept. of Commerce
• Mike Krumwiede, COO, The Staiger Consulting Group
• Sen. Randy Burckhard, District 5
• Mark Hardy, Executive Director, ND Board of Pharmacy

Moderator: John MacMartin, President, Minot Area Chamber of Commerce and Interim President, Minot Area Development Corporation

August 26 | 2:00 PM: The Road Ahead for ND Energy
In 2019, North Dakota ranked second in the nation in crude oil production. The state was one of the top 10 ethanol-producing states, its five ethanol plants provided 3% of the nation's fuel ethanol. North Dakota contains the world's largest known deposit of lignite and currently is a top-10 coal-producing state, accounting for 4% of U.S. coal production. Last year, coal-fired power plants provided 63% of North Dakota's electricity generation and wind energy accounted for 27%, the fourth-highest share from wind power for any state. These facts demonstrate the position North Dakota has in the energy global market. Moving into the next decade, it is important for business leaders to be aware of the ongoing efforts and plans that this sector is currently developing.

Panelists:

• Kathleen Neset, Owner/President, Neset Consulting and Chair, ND Petroleum Council
• Justin Kringstad, Director, ND Pipeline Authority
• Nicole Kivisto, President and CEO, Montana-Dakota Utilities Co.
• Jason Bohrer, President and CEO, Lignite Energy Council

August 27 | 2:00 PM: Crisis Leadership
2020 has been a year of challenges for leaders at the helm. Decisions, which impact individuals and organizations, have been made under high-stress situations, often with little data available. Join Governor Burgum and panelists discuss their points of view during this tumultuous year, the decisions made, and the lessons learned.

Panelists:

• Monsignor James Shea, President, University of Mary
• Jill Berg, President/Owner, Spherion Staffing and Insight Consulting
• David Goodin, President, CEO, and Director, MDU Resources Group, Inc.
• Major General Alan Dohrmann, Adjutant General, ND National Guard

Moderator: Governor Doug Burgum


Chat Moderator: Matt Dunlevy, President, SkySkopes, GNDC Board of Directors Member