Agenda / Complete list of all presentations


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  • Mike Whittle Vice President and General Counsel, St. Louis Cardinals

  • 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

    Connecting Missouri's High-Speed Infrastructure

    High-speed internet access is critical to our state’s future. This panel will evaluate what has worked, what hasn’t and where we go from here. Missouri has the opportunity to fast-track broadband access through innovative models and public-private partnerships. Panelists will share their insights and strategies for bringing broadband to both rural and urban communities across Missouri.

    Tim Arbeiter Moderator

    Jeff Bertholid Presenter

    Corey ten Bensel Presenter

    Marc McCarty Presenter

  • 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

    Resilience Redefined in Supply Chain & Operations Management

    Leaders from some of Missouri's top global firms will provide insight on the transformation to supply chains brought by COVID, how they continue to pursue sustainability goals, and what manufacturing will look like in the future.

    Cindy Mebruer Moderator

    Rosemary Coates Presenter

    Carlton Adams Presenter

    Eric Bremer Presenter

    Mario Morhy Presenter

    George Schoedinger Presenter

  • 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

    Virtual Education of the Workforce

    Explore ways that education and training providers are adapting to COVID-19 restrictions. Discuss the future of traditional "brick and mortar" schools. Gain insight into industries and trainings that have viability and sustainability in the virtual setting.

    Hart Nelson Moderator

    Clif Smart Presenter

    Jeff Pittman Presenter

    Shawn Strong Presenter

  • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

    Changing the Way We Power Missouri: Improving Performance and Lives Through Energy Innovations

    The way our world is powered is changing. This panel will discuss a variety of energy innovations and their applications throughout Missouri. Join us to learn about measures that can help communities and our state improve efficiency, enhance quality, and reduce costs and resource consumption across the state.

    Chuck Banks Moderator & Presenter

    Randy Moore Presenter

    Pat Justis Presenter

    Scott Blue Presenter

    Ben Kumfer Presenter

  • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

    Future of Manufacturing: Skynet and Cyborg Assassins?

    Learn how robotics, advanced materials, and industry 4.0 are currently shaping and will continue to shape the factory of tomorrow.

    Chad Myers Presenter

    Robert Randolph Presenter

    Jessica Kolde Presenter

    Douglas Bristow Presenter

  • 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

    The Future of the Workforce: Access to Learning and Workforce Training

    A discussion about which industries are on trend to survive the current economy. Find out how disparities in broadband are affecting K-12 and college students in various areas and how this impacts the workforce. Discuss how this digital divide will determine the future of the workforce.

    Greg Laposa Moderator

    Samantha Evans Presenter

    Alan Spell Presenter

  • 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

    Keynote

    Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe

    Rob Dixon Panelist

    Mardy Leathers Panelist

    Chris Chinn Panelist

    Randall Williams Panelist

    Anna Hui Panelist

    Zora Mulligan Panelist

  • 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

    Food Production & Agriculture: Growing Value Today and Planting Seeds for Tomorrow

    Agriculture is being transformed by digitalization, automation, sustainability, and breakthroughs in plant and animal genetics. Learn how Missouri is embracing value added agriculture, and how technology and changing philosophies are shaping the future of food production.

    Janelle Higgins Moderator

    John Raines Presenter

    Davin Althoff Presenter

    Karla Klingner-Diaz Presenter

    Gayla Daughtery Presenter

  • 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

    The Entrepreneur, an Overlooked Workforce

    In 2018, startups created more than 44,000 jobs in Missouri, accounting for nearly 80% of all new jobs in the state. This panel will discuss how a state-wide focus on entrepreneurship and innovation in concert with digital workforce development efforts can be leveraged to lead the state’s economic development recovery.

    Jack Scatizzi Presenter

    Alexces Bartley Presenter

    James Stapleton Presenter

    Ben Johnson Presenter

    Tamara Keefe Presenter

  • 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

    Utilities & Infrastructure: Building for Tomorrow

    This panel will explore trends in the utility industry as well as how utilities are embracing these trends and working to create innovative solutions to the challenges they present.

    Lori Becklenberg Presenter

    Kami Mohn Presenter

    Matt Forck Presenter

    Ryan Hyman Presenter

  • 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

    Foreign Direct Investment: Trends During These Boring Times of Pandemics and Trade Wars

    What is the future of globalization? How is Missouri competing on the global stage? What are the best strategies for attracting FDI? You'll find the answers to these questions from our panel of international experts.

    Brad Bodenhausen Moderator

    Tim Nowak Presenter

    Meredith Beeson Presenter

    Ann Pardalos Presenter

    Charles Gascon Presenter

  • 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

    Re-Investment in the Workforce

    Looking at the existing robust workforce grant opportunities, this panel will explain the various ways educational institutions and businesses can best use this funding. Additionally, statewide initiatives will be highlighted. Discover ways these grants can be used to fill in-demand industry positions.

    Allyssa Miget Moderator

    Sally Payne Presenter

    Mardy Leathers Presenter

    Ben Johnson Presenter

    Rory Beelek Presenter

  • 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

    Telehealth is Here to Stay

    Virtual care is a change agent. Few innovations have prompted such sweeping and successful change in the healthcare sector as the emergence of telehealth services. This panel will address timely trends and topics relating to telehealth services across Missouri's urban and rural communities.

    Scott Rogers Moderator

    Vijay Chauhan Presenter

    Rachel Mutrux Presenter

    Jeff Gamble Presenter

    Damon Broyles Presenter

  • 4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

    Cybersecurity: It's Not "If", It's When...Are We Prepared?

    Our world relies heavily on the internet for a wide range of critical services. This reliance leaves all of us - individuals, militaries, businesses, schools, and governments - vulnerable in the face of a cyber threat. These experts will shed light on how very real cybersecurity threats impact our state as well as how we can position Missouri to be the premier state for cybersecurity training and workforce development.

    Shannon McMurtrey Moderator

    Wes Hester Presenter

    Tony Bryan Presenter

    Brian Gant Presenter

    Jason Martin Presenter

  • 4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

    Engineering, Architecture Construction: Designing and Building an Innovative Niche for Missouri

    Operating below the radar locally, engineering and architecture firms in Missouri have global reputations. Leading firms will provide an overview of how the building industry is setting new standards in sustainability by embracing energy efficiency, new materials, and technology. We'll also learn how COVID is impacting the design of offices, hospitals, schools, and retail.

    Michael Collins Moderator

    Jon Dandurand Presenter

    Rowena Amelung Presenter

    Tim Gaidis Presenter

  • 4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

    Partnerships that Matter: Employers' Involvement in Workforce Training Programs

    Panelists will discuss ways that training programs and partnerships have addressed workforce needs in a variety of industries. Find out how businesses use innovative approaches to fill in-demand positions.

    Tim Dygon Presenter

    Daniel Stroot Presenter

    John Torre Presenter

    Beth Camp Presenter

  • What does the future of higher education look like and how has the current environment sped up those changes? How do universities reshape an outdated business model to address the needs of working adults who don’t need a college degree for their next job.

    Dr. Mark Lombardi Presenter

  • 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

    Economic Development in Challenging Times: How to be a Leader Today

    Important issues such as equality, justice, and the environment are frequently in the news. How can we as economic developers make a difference in our communities?

    Jeff Finkle Presenter

    Rob Dixon Presenter

    Heather Hardinger Presenter

    Nicole Jacobs-Silvey Presenter

  • 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

    Importance of Work-Based Learning Including Apprenticeships, Internships, and On-the-Job Training

    Explore ways that work-based learning is the "new higher education". How industries are prepared largely depends on connecting the labor force to work-based learning models that provide experience, mentorship, and valuable skills.

    Jeanna Caldwell Moderator

    Becky Epps Presenter

    Sherry Coker Presenter

    Shonda Atwater Presenter

  • 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

    Using Technology to Compete Smarter

    States and cities that are successfully attracting companies and talent are taking a new approach. Our ability to leverage technology, smart marketing and new tactics will be key for Missouri's future. This panel will highlight a variety of initiatives that can help make Missouri a destination of choice for employers and top talent.

    Toby Teeter Moderator

    Mark Sutherland Presenter

    Chad Feather Presenter

    Emily Lohse-Busch Presenter

  • 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

    Governor's Address

    Join us virtually and hear from Governor Mike Parson as he updates us on Missouri's economic development.

    Gov. Mike Parson