Economic Summit

Upstate Economic Czar Daniel Gundersen and National Experts Among Scheduled Participants

Rochester, N.Y., April 24 - The Small Business Council of Rochester, an affiliate of the Rochester Business Alliance, and Greater Rochester Enterprise will host Eyes on the Future, a Greater Rochester Region economic summit, on Tuesday, June 12th, at St. John Fisher College from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Designed to promote economic development, job growth and entrepreneurship in the nine-county Greater Rochester Region, Eyes on the Future features a panel discussion moderated by Brian Taffe, host of the statewide cable news program, Capital Tonight.

Panelists scheduled to participate include: Daniel Gundersen, Upstate Chair of the Empire State Development Corporation; Ken Schoetz, Chief Operating Officer of the Upstate Development Corporation; directors of economic development agencies from several of the nation's fastest growing counties; and national corporate site selectors. Governmental research experts will discuss regional economic trends and forecasts.

"Eyes on the Future will serve as an upbeat, positive dialogue, leading to immediate actions and tangible results," said Thomas C. Ioele, immediate past president, Small Business Council of Rochester, an affiliate of the Rochester Business Alliance. "The event offers a unique mix of perspectives from professionals involved with economic development and corporate re-location, with an emphasis on ways to improve recruiting and retaining businesses and jobs in Greater Rochester."

"The goal of Eyes on the Future is for attendees to learn how economic development is everyone's responsibility," said Dennis M. Mullen, President and CEO, Greater Rochester Enterprise. "Each person needs to serve as an ambassador to champion our region and its many assets. Eyes on the Future will provide attendees with information and tools they can use to help promote economic growth."

Economic development officials from three of the nation's fastest growing counties will share their success stories and discuss the practices, policies and initiatives that are working to spur the economy in their markets. Economic development officials on the panel include Ron Weisinger, Executive Director of the Northern Nevada Development Authority in Carson City, Nevada; Larry Pelton, Executive Director

of the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County, Florida; and Kenny McDonald, Senior Vice President, Economic Development Services, Charlotte Regional Partnership, Charlotte, North Carolina.

Site selectors will discuss the criteria that they consider when evaluating a market on behalf of companies looking to expand and re-locate. Site selectors on the panel include Gene DePrez, Americas and co-global leader, PLI-Global Location Strategies, Associate Partner, Strategy & Change, IBM Global Business Services and Dennis J. Donovan, principal, Wadley-Donovan Gutshaw Consulting.

Admission to Eyes on the Future is by pre-registration only and free to members of the Small Business Council, Rochester Business Alliance and Greater Rochester Enterprise. Cost is $25 for non-members. To pre-register or for more information, please go to www.eyesonthefuture.biz <http://www.eyesonthefuture.biz>.

Eyes on the Future is sponsored by AXA Advisors, Bonadio & Co., Citizens Bank, Employee Relations Associates, Inc., Empire State Development Corporation, Eric Mower and Associates, Excellus, Johnson Controls, MWI, Inc., OS-Cubed, Inc., Paradigm Environmental Services, Inc., Phillips Lytle, Relph Benefit Advisors and St. John Fisher College.

Eyes on the Future serves as one of several events planned throughout 2007 to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Small Business Council.

The Small Business Council provides services, support, and business-to-business opportunities to growth-oriented small business owners throughout the greater Rochester metropolitan area. Independent of market or industry, the Small Business Council is recognized as the voice of small business, meeting the dynamic and diverse needs of our members. For more information about the Small Business Council please go to www.rochestersbc.com.

Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE) is a public-private partnership established to professionally market the Rochester metropolitan region as a competitive, high-profile place for business location and growth. Its efforts support business attraction and expansion, as well as entrepreneurship and innovation. GRE collaborates with businesses, universities, not-for-profit organizations and government leaders to ensure a unified approach to regional economic development. For more information, please go to www.RochesterBiz.com.