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  • 2023 Policy Summit

    2023 Policy Summit


    GNDC invites you to attend the 2023 Policy Summit on Wednesday, September 27, in Bismarck. This annual event brings together business and government leaders to discuss policies impacting North Dakota's business climate and address issues impacting our state's future growth.

    This premier public policy forum is a non-partisan event open to members and non-members of the Greater North Dakota Chamber. Attendees have cited that the event's success is due to GNDC's commitment to ensuring various views are represented on the presented issues.  

     


    AGENDA

    8:30AM: Registration opens & Networking

    9:30AM: Welcome and Leadership Remarks
    [Sponsored by Midco]

    10:00AM: Investment Attraction Strategies

    11:00AM: Exploring Tourism from a Policy Standpoint

    12:00PM: Lunch
    [Sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota]

    1:15PM: Utilizing Immigration as a Workforce Solution

    2:15PM: Networking Break
    [Sponsored by Xcel Energy]

    2:30PM: Beyond Business: Engaging Civic Leadership

    3:30PM: Federal Issues: A View from the Hill
    [Sponsored by Altria]

    4:30PM: Close

    4:31PM: ND Chamber PAC Party for PAC Contributors [Accepting members now]

    This is a hybrid event. Attend in person, virtually, or both - we'll leave it up to you.
     

     


    SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

    (updated as released)

    9:35AM: Leadership Remarks

    Lt. Governor Tammy Miller was sworn in as the 39th lieutenant governor of North Dakota on Jan. 3, 2023.

    She previously served as CEO of Fargo-based Border States, the sixth-largest electrical distributor in North America. Miller joined the employee-owned company in 1991 as the accounting manager and served in a variety of roles including corporate controller, vice president of finance, executive vice president, general manager for the southwest region and president. Under Miller’s leadership, Border States grew from under $500 million in annual sales to nearly $2.5 billion. [Full bio]
     

    10:00AM: Investment Attraction Strategies

    Competition to attract business investments is fierce. Ensuring a strong business community that adds to a state’s economic outlook comes at a cost. State and local governments routinely offer businesses incentives to develop and operate within their boundaries. These can be grants, incentives, credits, or subsidies. Additional factors that influence investment decisions include the current business climate, regulatory environment, existing infrastructure, available workforce, and training facilities/programs.
    This discussion will focus on how states, specifically North Dakota, can differentiate in attracting investment and furthering strategy to fortify the private sector. 
     
    MODERATOR: Jon Godfread - ND Insurance Commissioner
    PANELISTS:
    • Sen. Doug Larsen (District 34)
    • Aaron Redenius, Doosan Bobcat North America
    • Julie Voeck, NextEra Energy Resources
     

     


    11:00 AM: Exploring Tourism from a Policy Standpoint
    Currently, North Dakota’s tourism industry supports 2,900 businesses and supplements our economy with out-of-state dollars. From air travel, hotels, restaurants, to hunting services, golfing, and entertainment – there’s no denying that this is an important sector. However, now may be the time to discuss how this industry is supported. This discussion will take a wholistic look at the full economic opportunity – advancement opportunities, benefits to ancillary businesses, and regional need. Panelists will also consider aspects of workforce attraction and quality of life. Is it time to develop a public policy framework and how should we authorize or prioritize tax dollar authorization against free market values?

    ​MODERATOR: Suzie Kenner, Devils Lake Chamber & Tourism

    • Rep. Mike Nathe (District 30)
    • Brian Lunde, Advocates Inc. DC
    • McKenzy Braaten, EPIC Companies
     



    1:15PM: Utilizing Immigration as a Workforce Solution

    In a recent poll of GNDC members, 55% of employers plan to expand or hire staff in the next year. Yet, workforce attraction remains a hurdle, crippling growth for businesses. Immigration offers a solution to employers across the state but can be difficult to navigate or advance. This panel discussion will dive into utilizing this untapped labor pool – the current opportunities, challenges, and associated impacts to businesses and communities. Additionally, panelists will discuss expectations of the Office of Legal Immigration, which was created this past legislative session to serve as a state resource for businesses. 

    MODERATOR: Ron Ness - North Dakota Petroleum Council

    PANELISTS:

    • Todd Schaffer, MD - Sanford Health

    • Mike Arntson - Cardinal IG

    • Rep. Scott Louser (District 5)

     

     

    2:30PM: Beyond Business: Engaging Civic Leadership

    Public policy lays the foundation for the regulatory and bureaucratic landscape of our state. Whether at the local, state, or federal level, decisions made by civic leaders create ripple effects that impact constituents. Given our representative government, it is essential that the business community is at the table, guiding and engaging in conversations on the decisions that affect us all.
     
    This panel will discuss hurdles to civic engagement, pipeline attraction, and priorities for the greater good. 
     
    MODERATOR: Wayne Munson - Bismarck Sign Co. 

    PANELISTS:

    • Rep. Alisa Mitskog (District 25)
    • Jeff Hruby - AE2S

    • Sen. Dean Rummel (District 37) 

    ​


    3:30 PM: Federal Issues: A View from the Hill

    Sponsored by Altria

    Ron Eidshaug, Vice President and Chief of Staff, Government Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

    As vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs Division, RON EIDSHAUG helps oversee a team of 10 full-time Capitol Hill lobbyists. Eidshaug is a sought-after speaker providing an insider’s perspective of Congress. He appears

     at engagements with governors, senators, members of Congress, administration officials, and business leaders across the U.S. and speaks to a wide range of international audiences. Eidshaug has a unique ability to translate Washington-speak into language that business leaders can understand. [Full bio]
     




     



    Refund policy: Refunds, minus credit card fees are available prior to September 1. After this date, you may send an alternate from the same organization to the event without additional charge. To request a cancellation or to make a change, please email amanda@NDChamber.com. 

    Event Sponsors

    Gold Sponsor
    Amazon
    Apex Clean Energy
    ConocoPhillips
    Lunch Sponsor
    Blue Cross Blue Shield of N.D.
    Leadership Remarks Sponsor
    Midco
    Silver Sponsor
    Hess Corporation
    MDU Resources Group, Inc.
    NAACO Natural Resources
    NextEra Energy Resources, LLC
    ONEOK, Inc.
    Otter Tail Corporation
    Sanford Health Bismarck
    Bronze Sponsor
    Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc.
    American Crystal Sugar Co.
    BNI Energy
    BNSF Railway Company
    Eide Bailly LLP- Bismarck
    Enbridge
    Fisher Industries
    Flint Group-Fargo
    Houston Engineering, Inc.
    Lignite Energy Council
    North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives
    PhRMA
    Rainbow Energy
    TC Keystone Pipeline, LP
    The Title Team
    Panel Sponsor
    Altria Client Services LLC
    Networking Break
    Xcel Energy
    Media Partner
    Livewire Entertainment Media Services, LLC
    2023 Policy Summit
    Register

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    Date and Time

    Wednesday Sep 27, 2023


     

    Location

    HYBRID EVENT - Online or in-person

    Bismarck Hotel & Convention Center

    800 S 3rd Street Bismarck ND 58504

    Fees/Admission

    REGISTRATION 
    (virtual and in-person are the same rates)
    Member Rate: $125 
    Non-member Rate: $175

    Walk-In/Day of Rates: $195 

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  • The catalytic leader and unifying voice for economic prosperity throughout North Dakota.

Greater North Dakota Chamber

 PO Box 2639, Bismarck, ND 58502

 701. 222.0929

 ndchamber@ndchamber.com

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