News

8.25.09

Potawatomi Business Development Corporation Hosts Economic Development Conference September 21-24, 2009 in Milwaukee

Indian Country Leaders and Business Experts to Share Knowledge and Insight into Building Tribal Economies

MILWAUKEE, (August 25, 2009)  –  The Potawatomi Business Development Corporation (PBDC) announced today it will bring together tribal and business leaders from across the region and nation to share experiences and ideas for building sustainable tribal economies when it hosts the 2009 Business Development in Indian Country Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin September 21-24, 2009.  The conference will be held at Potawatomi Bingo Casino and is open to Tribal leaders, Tribal members, vendors and employees working in economic development.

“During a time of significant market fluctuation, the economies of sovereign tribal nations are emerging as growth opportunities, and the leaders and experts that we will bring together are shaping those futures,” said Gus Frank, Chairman of the PBDC. “In hosting this event, we hope to ignite flames that will fuel future economic growth among tribal governments as well as their neighboring communities.”

The four-day symposium will illicit many best practices and prompt new ideas through keynote addresses and a variety of workshops sessions. A Keynote address will be given by Carl Artman, professor of Economic Development in Indian Country at Arizona State University and shareholder at Godfrey & Kahn. Artman, who also served as the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs for the U.S. Department of the Interior, will identify various stimulus opportunities for Indian country. Eugenio Aleman, vice president and senior economist for Wells Fargo & Company will also provide a keynote on the banking and investing trends in 2009 and 2010.

Other speakers will include: Rick Hill, Chairman of the Onedia Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin; Donsia Strong Hill, bond underwriting specialist and former State of Wisconsin Secretary of Regulation & Licensing; Rob Burpo, President, First American Advisors; Deron Marquez , former Chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians; Jamie Fulmer, Partner, Bluestone Stragegy Group; and Matt Robinson, Principal, of  Klas Robinson. 

More than 15 workshop sessions will be offered focusing on a variety of issues important to tribal economic development including grant writing during tough economic times, creating business and feasibility plans, real estate development and achieving long term sustainability. A number of tribal-owned or funded businesses will also provide insight into their success stories including The Native American Group,  Matineworks and a few others.

Participants must pre-register for this conference and can do so by visiting www.Bussproductions.com or by calling 651-917-2301. Space is limited. Early registration deadline is September 15 and is $425 per person. Registration after September 15 is $575 per person. For more information about this conference or to view the full agenda, please visit www.Potawatomibdc.com.

About the Potawatomi Business Development Corporation

Owned and operated by the Forest County Potawatomi Community of Wisconsin, The PBDC seeks to diversify Potawatomi business interests beyond gaming in effort to secure the future of the tribe for the next 7 generations and beyond. Business holdings include: OneProspect Technologies, Advancia Corporation and Potawatomi Design Group.  For more information on the Potawatomi Business Development Corporation, call Kip Ritchie at 414-727-2041 ext. 6007 or visit our website at www.potawatomibdc.com.

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