2012 Future of Business Schedule

Future of Business Conference 2012: Agenda

April 26^th, Whatcom Museum Rotunda Room, Old City Hall

5:30 Registration opens/Localicious opens

6:30 Opening remarks

Keynote Jason McLennan, CEO Cascadia Green Building Council
Government Panel, Jack Louws & Kelli Linville

8:00 Evening Close

April 27th Whatcom Community College Syre Student Center

8:30 Registration opens

9:00     Opening remarks
9:15     Morning Keynotes Kimberly Harris, CEO Puget Sound Energy &
    Joshua Onysko, CEO Pangea Organics

10:20 Biz Prov networking session led by Galen Emanuele from Upfront Theater

10:30 Break, Snack provided by Ciao Thyme.

11:00 – 12:15 Breakout session #1 (see below for list)

12:30 Lunch provided by Ciao Thyme

Round tables discussions on 2nd floor. Topics include:

Food and Farming, Think Local First, Toward Zero Waste, Energy, Green

Building/Smart Growth, Local Investing

1:45 - 3:00 Breakout session #2

(see below for list)

3:30    Panel of Local CEOs – How they are thriving in a survival economy
    Janelle Bruland, Management Services NW
    Andy Anderson, Index Sensors and Controls
    Keith Carpenter, WoodStone
    Pete Dawson,Dawson Construction

4:30 closing remarks, end of day

Breakout Descriptions:

AM Sessions:

Lean Business is for Every Business – Integrating Lean principles into a business increases transparency, improves communication and spurs on needed change in processes and management. Moving to a bottom-up philosophy has everyone in the company working to ensure the viability and success of the business, no matter how big or small.

Travis Huisman - McNett
Mark Swiacky - Sampson Rope
Paul Akers - Fastcap LLC

Financing your small business: Back to the Roots - See an interesting case study of a business needing additional capital to support a needed expansion of their business. Where did they go? Find out what they had to do to access these funding sources to expand their business. AND, learn about a new and innovative funding source available in Whatcom County through one of our local financial institutions who recently became a CDFI – what does this mean and why is it important to our small businesses?

Jeff Voltz - NABC
Larry Stap- Twin Brook Creamery
Dale Holt - Industrial Credit Union

Buying Local When Times are Tough – How do these businesses do it? Why do they do it? What impact does it have on their business? Tips on how they do it? Relying on their suppliers to help them buy local as well.

Ian Rae - Chuckanut Builders
Robb Morrell - The Table by Bellingham Pasta Company
Stephen Trinkaus - Terra Organica

Increase Sales by Accessing the Canadian Market – Did you know that Whatcom County has survived and even thrived the latest economic struggles in part by attracting Canadian dollars. Think of a new country as a new customer. If you think that Canada is a hard place to sell, don’t fret, we have great resources right here.

Meg Greenfield - Center for Economic Vitality

PM Sessions:

Implementing Lean Successfully – The way to success with Lean instead of being a lean casualty – so many businesses start with lean & let it drop by the wayside or they are not successful. See how these businesses are thriving and succeeding with Lean. Hint, it starts in the bathroom & supply room of every business.

Travis Huisman - McNett
Brian Flowers - Moles Family Life Center

Beating Rising Costs in a Slow Economy – external costs like energy, transportation and food continue to rise & customers aren’t in the mood to pay more. See how these businesses are “finding money in their business” and innovating to keep surviving and even thriving during these tough times.

Ken Bothman - LaFiamma
BJ Louws - Louws Truss
Stephanie Artino - Metcalf Hodges

Delivering Exceptional Customer Service – What are businesses doing to "wow" customers, and empower their employees to provide top notch service? See 2 local case studies and learn more about tools and services available to turn lackluster service into exceptional service.

Wes Herman - Woods Coffee
Stephen Roguski - Fairhaven Runners
Meg Greenfield - Center for Economic Vitality

Attract and Keep Your Best Employees - Investing energy in your employees can create a happy and thriving work place. Learn what experts in the marketplace are saying today in regard to providing financial, physical and professional health in the workplace to attract the best, retain your best, get them engaged, improve attendance and increase productivity.