MEDIA ADVISORY

Mayor: Jennifer P. Dougherty

Contact: Heather Galbraith
Phone: 301-698-8118
Date: October 21, 2003
IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City Hosts Business Symposium

The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development will host "Shaping Frederick's Economic Future: A Business Symposium" on Friday, November 7 in Rosenstock Auditorium at Hood College from 8:00 am - Noon. The Business Gazette and Hood College are sponsors of the event.

Hosted in partnership with the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce and Frederick County Office of Economic Development, local businesses are invited to learn about the state of the local economy from noted economist Anirban Basu of Optimal Solutions Group and former Director of Applied Economics & Senior Economist at RESI (the research and consulting arm of Towson University), as well as gain a perspective on local industry sectors from leaders in biotechnology, manufacturing and information technology.
In addition, participants will have an opportunity to respond to questions regarding the future direction of economic development in the City. The results of this poll will be integrated into the Comprehensive Plan update.

The event will begin at 8:00 am with a continental breakfast, followed by welcome and opening comments from Ron Volpe, president of Hood College, and Mayor Dougherty. Then, Mr. Basu, well known for his insightful and humorous presentations, will provide an analysis of the Frederick economy as it relates to the regional and national economies.

A panel discussion, focusing on the local economy from an industry perspective, will include Ed Goley, Vice-President and General Manager of Manufacturing for MedImmune; Bill Poulin, Director of Operations in Americas for BP Solar; and Mark Gaver, President and CEO of GTI Technologies.

The morning will end with an interactive polling session, where participants have an opportunity to give input on the future of economic development policies in The City of Frederick. Using a system known as GIFT technology (provided by the Frederick County Public Schools) the audience will be asked a series of questions. Each person will be able to answer using a remote polling device, and results of the poll are immediately available to the audience. The results of the poll will be incorporated through the City's Comprehensive Plan update. This is an excellent opportunity for local businesses to provide input on the policies and issues that affect the community in which they operate.

To register for the event, contact the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce at 301.662.4164. The cost is $15, and all registrations are due by October 31st.