November 12, Tentative Agenda

8:00am - 4:30pm

Registration Desk/Information Open
8:00am - 4:30pm
Exhibits Open
8:00 - 8:45am Continental Breakfast
8:45 - 8:50am

Welcome & Opening Remarks
Dr. Connie Foster, Interim Chancellor
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
8:50 - 9:00am Background, Purpose & Meaning of Synergy
Introduction of Governor Doyle
Christopher Smith
West Central Wisconsin Regional Education Consortium
9:00 - 9:30am

State of Wisconsin Address
Secretary Dick Leinenkugel, Wisconsin Department of Commerce
Introduction by Dr. Connie Foster, Interim Chancellor
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
9:30 - 10:10am

How Will Energy Shape How We Live, Work, and Play?
Bruce Lindgren, President, Coalition for Eco-Industrial Development (CEID), Superior, WI
Introduction by Dr. Charles Sorensen, Chancellor
University of Wisconsin-Stout
10:10 - 10:45am

Post Presentation Facilitated Discussions
Bruce Siebold, Rusk Prairie Consulting
Juliet Fox, University of Wisconsin-Stout
10:45 - 11:15am

Exhibitor's Showcase
11:15 - 11:55am

How Does the Global Market Affect Growth and Opportunities for Small Businesses?
Dr. Jim Bensen, President Emeritus
Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN
Introduction by Dr. Brian Levin-Stankevich, Chancellor
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
11:55am - 12:30pm

Post Presentation Facilitated Discussions
Bruce Siebold, Rusk Prairie Consulting
Juliet Fox, University of Wisconsin-Stout
12:30 - 1:30pm

Lunch
Regional Best Practices Showcase
Matt Pronschinske, Workforce Resource
1:30 - 2:10pm

How Can We Build, Attract, and Maintain the Talented Workforce of the Future?
Ed Barlow, President, Creating the Future, Inc., Saint Joseph, MI
Introduction by Dr. Bruce Barker, President
Chippewa Valley Technical College
2:10 - 2:45pm

Post Presentation Facilitated Discussions
Bruce Siebold, Rusk Prairie Consulting
Juliet Fox, University of Wisconsin-Stout
2:45 - 3:00pm Break/Visit Exhibits
3:00 - 4:15pm

Discussion Café: Identifying Key Issue Areas, Needs and Preliminary Action Steps
Panel grouping of Ed Barlow, Jim Bensen and Bruce Lindgren
Facilitated by Bruce Siebold and Juliet Fox
4:15 - 4:30pm

Day's End Debrief and Tomorrow's Agenda
Sign up for tomorrow's action building teams/groups

Bruce Siebold and Juliet Fox
4:30 - 5:30pm Regional Alumni Reception

 

November 13, Tentative Agenda

8:00 - Noon
Information Desk Open
8:00 - Noon
Exhibits Open
8:00 - 8:30am
Continental Breakfast
8:30 - 8:35am

Welcome and Remarks
Dr. Robert Meyer, President
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
8:35 - 9:05am

General Session: Outcomes of the 2008 Election...
What does This Mean for Western Wisconsin
Neil Kraus, Board Member, Western Wisconsin Intergovernmental Collaborative
Introduction by Scott Hodek, Regional Economist
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
9:05 - 9:15am Breakout Session Team Assignments and Directives
Facilitated by Juliet Fox, University of Wisconsin-Stout
9:15 - 10:30am

Concurrent Team Breakout Sessions: Synergy to Action Building Process
Team 1 Conversation Leader:
Roger Stanford, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Team 2 Conversation Leader:
Mary Jane Brukardt, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Team 3 Conversation Leader:
Matt Pronschinske, Workforce Resource
10:30 - 11:00am Break/Visit Exhibits
11:00 - 11:50am Team Outcomes: Their Relationship to the Big Regional Picture
Facilitated by Juliet Fox
11:50am - Noon

Next Steps and Conference Adjournment
Dr. Paul Chase, Campus Executive Officer
University of Wisconsin-Barron County
Craig Fowler, Vice President Continuing Education
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College