AccelerateUpstatePressRelease7.1.11

8/6/2019 AccelerateUpstatePressRelease7.1.11

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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: July 1, 2011 Sandy

541-1709 (W); 491-1135 (C)

[email protected]

BUFFALO TO HOST TWO-DAY WORK SESSION TO

ACCELERATE UPSTATE~ Leaders with diverse perspectives invited to developaction plan for hastening economic growth and priority

community projects Upstate ~

(BUFFALO, NY) Buffalo will be host to a two-day conference of Upstate leaders inAugust to develop an action plan for accelerating priority projects and economicgrowth in the 40,000 square miles that compose Upstate New York. The leaders willfocus on how Upstate can thrive given the states particular political balance andthe resulting limited political clout Upstate, said Andrew J. Rudnick, president andCEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, while announcing the conference with ErieCounty Executive Chris Collins and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.

The conference will be held August 4 and 5 in downtown Buffalo, with speakers andattendees coming from around New York State. Within six weeks of the conference,the Accelerate Upstate action plan will be distributed to event attendees anddelivered to the capitol in Albany.

Whats different about this conference? asked Rudnick. Rather than rehash andfocus on the challenges we face, the two-day dialogue will focus on agreeing uponsolutions and positive steps that the Upstaters can take together -- movingforward.

Erie County Executive Chris Collins said, For too long, Upstate New York hasbeen at the mercy of Albany politics dominated by Downstate interests. We allknow too well the impact that has had on our Upstate communities. I commend theBuffalo Niagara Partnership for organizing this conference to develop an action planfor moving vital projects and policies forward for the benefit of every Upstate New

Yorker.

I look forward to welcoming leaders from across Upstate New York to Buffalo todiscuss issues that are affecting our communities, said City of Buffalo MayorByron W. Brown. The conference provides Upstate with a stronger voice and the


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opportunity to present regional concerns to state lawmakers. This collaboration willmake New York State stronger as a whole.

The Partnership organized the Accelerate Upstate conference after encounteringuniversal frustration expressed by Upstate business leaders, labor leaders,municipal and school leaders, environmentalists, not-for-profits, farmers and more

over the regions inadequate political clout, and the negative impact of it.

Consider the following:

Only 81 of the NYS Legislatures 212 members represent Upstateconstituents

All major statewide elected offices are held by Downstaters The leaders of both legislative houses hail from Downstate districts The 17 New York State counties that showed a population decline in the 2010

census are Upstate

In addition to sessions featuring speakers such as former NYS Assemblyman andgubernatorial candidateJohn Faso, SUNY Levin Institute President and former NBCanchorman Garrick Utley and Brookings Institution senior fellow and deputydirector Amy Liu, Accelerate Upstate will include interactive panel discussions heldin locations throughout downtown Buffalo, moderated by leaders from diverseperspectives. Topics include:

What Motivates Us The unique conditions in NYC and UpstateIdentifying the business, social and political drivers metro NYC and Upstate and how do we make state policy that helps both?

Our Connection with CanadaWhat does collaboration with the northern side of the border mean to New

Yorks economy? What actions can Albany take to strengthen the relationshipbetween New York, Ontario and Quebec?

Big City: Bigger State Best practices from other states facing an 800-poundgorilla

New York is not the only state that is dominated by a single major metro how are similar states creating policy that benefits their entire states?

An Education in Education: Higher Ed as an Economic DriverSeveral governors now have emphasized that a strong SUNY system isessential to the states growth what can be done in New York to help highereducation reach its full economic potential, and what happens if we donthelp?

Wheres Our Future Workforce? Whos Going to be Running New York in 2020?Brain drain has already had its impact on the states workforce, with keyindustries looking for skilled employees what do we need to do to ensurethat New York has the appropriate workforce (in number and in skill) for theyears ahead?

Jobs and Investment What is the right recipe for New Yorks economic growth?


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How can the various sectors in Upstate work together to create anenvironment that is fruitful for job creation?

In addition, the event will feature a working session of Mayors and CountyExecutives from across the state hosted by Mayor Brown.

The first night of the conference will include an Accelerate Upstate bash on Buffaloswaterfront a social event designed to foster networking and a collaborative spiritamong the diverse participants. Chartered tours to Niagara Falls and of Buffaloshistoric architecture will be available to visitors as well. Out-of-town attendees areencouraged to stay in one of Downtown Buffalos numerous hotels and enjoyBuffalos food, sights, and events.

Additional information is available online atwww.thepartnership.org/accelerateupstate

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ABOUT THE BUFFALO NIAGARA PARTNERSHIPThe Buffalo Niagara Partnership includes nearly 2,500 employer members, working forimproved business competitiveness and expanded economic activity in the region. ThePartnership advocates, locally, and in Albany, and Washington, D.C., for policies andresources to increase private sector investment and jobs. The Partnership also offersprograms and services to its members to increase their chances for business success.
http://www.thepartnership.org/accelerateupstatehttp://www.thepartnership.org/accelerateupstate


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PROGRAM

DAY 1 Thursday, August 4

Noon 1:00 Welcome and Opening Remarks (lunch)

Location: Buffalo Niagara Convention Center

Welcome: Andrew Rudnick - President & CEO, Buffalo Niagara Partnership

Introduction to Event: (invited) Gov. Andrew Cuomo

1:30 3:00 Concurrent Sessions/Workshops

What Motivates Us The unique conditions in NYC and Upstate

Location: Hyatt Regency Buffalo

Identifying the business, social and political drivers metro NYC and Upstate and how do wemake state policy that helps both?

Moderator: Lawrence Meckler Of Counsel, Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel, LLP

Panelists: Brian Sampson - Executive Director, Unshackle Upstate; Kathy Wylde -President & CEO, Partnership for NYC; E.J. McMahon - Senior Fellow, ManhattanInstitute; Amy Allen - Managing Director, Advocacy and International Business, TheWestchester County Association

Our Connection with Canada

Location: HSBC Tower

What does collaboration with the northern side of the border mean to New Yorks economy? Whatactions can Albany take to strengthen the relationship between New York, Ontario and Quebec?

Panelists: Kevin Johnson - U.S. Consul General, Toronto; Marta Moszczenska - Canadian

Consul General, Buffalo; James Manno - Chairman, Council for Supply ChainManagement Professionals WNY Chapter


Big City: Bigger State Best practices from other states facing an 800-pound gorilla

Location: Buffalo & Erie County Public Library (downtown)

New York is not the only state that is dominated by a single major metro how are similar statescreating policy that benefits their entire states?

Panelists: Bill Flanagan - Executive Vice President, Corporate Relations, AlleghenyConference (Pennsylvania); John Sampson - President & CEO, Northeast IndianaRegional Partnership

An Education in Education: Higher Ed as an Economic DriverLocation: Erie Community College - Auditorium

Several governors now have emphasized that a strong SUNY system is essential to the statesgrowth what can be done in New York to help higher education reach its full economic potential,and what happens if we dont help?

Moderator: Marsha Henderson - Vice President for External Affairs, University atBuffalo

Panelists: Nancy Zimpher - Chancellor, State University of New York (SUNY); JohnHurley - President, Canisius College; Dr. Anne Kress - President, Monroe CommunityCollege; Rick Jurasek, Ph.D. - President, Medaille College


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6:00 8:00 Reception

Location: USS Little Rock, Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park

Day 2 Friday, August 5

8:30 9:30 Breakfast and Speaker

Buffalo Niagara Convention Center

Welcome:Hon. Chris Collins - Erie County Executive

Speaker: John Faso, former NYS gubernatorial candidate, NYS Assemblyman and BuffaloControl Board Member


Wheres Our Future Workforce? Whos Going to be Running New York in 2020?

Location: Smith Theater

Brain drain has already had its impact on the states workforce, with key industries looking forskilled employees what do we need to do to ensure that New York has the appropriate workforce

(in number and in skill) for the years ahead?Moderator: John Darby President, Niagara Transformer Corp.

Panelists: Jeff Tredo - Director, Bryant & Stratton (Buffalo region); John Twomey -Executive Director, New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals(NYATEP); Jeremy Cooney - Chairman, We Live NY; Michael Moley - Senior VicePresident, Human Resources, Catholic Health

Jobs and Investment What is the right recipe for New Yorks economic growth?

Location: Market Arcade

How can the various sectors in Upstate work together to create an environment that is fruitful forjob creation?

Moderator: Dennis Penman Executive Vice President, MJ Peterson Real Estate

Panelists: Brian McMahon - Executive Director, New York State Economic DevelopmentCouncil (NYSEDC); Tom Kucharski - President & CEO, Buffalo Niagara Enterprise; KenWarner - Executive Director, Unions and Businesses United in Construction (UNICON);Christina Orsi - Regional Director, Empire State Development Corporation

10:00 11:30 Mayors and County Executives Roundtable

Location: Buffalo Niagara Partnership

A closed-door meeting hosted by City of Buffalo Mayor Brown with Mayors and County Executives fromacross New York State to discuss challenges, strategies and opportunities

Noon 1:15 Lunch and keynote speaker


Speaker: Amy Liu - Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Brookings Metropolitan PolicyProgram - "Delivering the Next Economy"

1:30 2:30 Summary and Next Steps


Summary/compilation of the conversation from the two-day event, identification of key points andthemes and outline of next steps: Report issued to Governor, NYS Legislature within 4 weeks of event

Presented by: Garrick Utley - President, SUNY Levin Institute


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2:30 2:45 Closing and Thank You


Hon. Byron Brown - Mayor, City of Buffalo

Documents

AccelerateUpstatePressRelease7.1.11