Kalispell conference zeroes in on economy

The Daily Inter Lake

The local economy and current and future business trends are the focuses of the Success in the New West conference in Kalispell on Friday.

The two-part educational event will feature top-ranked regional and national speakers. Co-sponsored by Montana West Economic Development and Flathead Area Young Professionals, the conference runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn. The cost for each session is $75 and includes meals.

The evening keynote speaker is Jeff Thredgold, an economic futurist who will provide an entertaining, informative and humorous "tour" of the U.S. and Montana economies. He will focus on the financial "unchartered waters" the country is experiencing and will examine - in layman's terms - the dangers of doing nothing.

Thredgold's career includes 23 years with the $100 billion banking giant KeyCorp, where he served as chief economist. He now is an economic consultant to Zions Bancorporation and has appeared on CNN and CNBC dozens of times.

Success in the New West promises to paint a picture of the trends in alternative energy and green building, address the challenges of the changing work force and business culture, and look into the crystal ball of "what if" in health care and insurance.

The lunch keynote speaker is Jonathan Weber, editor of New West. He will discuss the way Facebook, Google and thousands of other online sites are displacing traditional information sources and what it means for Montana businesses.

The daytime seminars will highlight some of the most pressing and thought-provoking issues nationally and locally.

"We've hit a tipping point in a variety of industries and change is the only constant," said Kimberly Morisaki, manager of client development and resources for Montana West Economic Development. "As a nation we are experiencing a change in focus, a change in priorities and a change in perspective. Rapid change is creating new opportunities for business growth, but also is requiring businesses and people to stay informed and forward-thinking."

Pat Barkey, director of the University of Montana's Bureau of Business and Economic Research, will present an analysis of the current health-care system and his comparison of the two presidential candidates' health-care policies.

Tom Kaizerski, program manager of Montana's Energy Infrastructure Promotion and Development Division, will paint the big picture of the state's important role in production of energy. The surge in energy development, creating clean energy and the jobs that go with the technology are predicted to create 6,000 new jobs for Montanans, Morisaki said.

Dan Stevenson, Dave Fischlowitz and Susan Ross Dykhuizen will outline new programs for green and sustainable building that are predicted to enhance home value over the next 10 years. Information about Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and green-building certification and other programs for home owners and home builders also will be explained.

Stevenson is director of energy engineering for CTA Architects Engineers; Fischlowitz is owner and operator of Fischworks Building Services in Whitefish and co-founder of the Flathead Green Building Guild; Dykhuizen is owner of Robert W. Ross Building Contractors.

Focusing on business, Kristen Donahue will discuss how to attract, engage and retain employees from all four generations currently interacting in the workplace. Donahue is the owner and lead consultant of Employment Dimensions Consulting Services.

Nan Russell, former vice president of the QVC shopping network, will discuss winning at work and how to build a winning culture at your place of employment regardless of your job title.

Michelle Skaletski-Boyd of Soul-Felt Words Inc., will discuss how to manage time in the age of too much information.

The most difficult part of the day will be choosing which programs to attend, Morisaki said. Seating is limited so tickets must be reserved early. To learn more about the speakers, view the schedule or buy tickets, visit www.SuccessInTheNewWest.com, call Morisaki at 257-7711 or e-mail Kim@DoBusinessInMontana.com.