[StBernard] Top site selector, NASA astronaut and La. economist to speak at Governor's Conference on Economic De

[Westley Annis]

Top site selector, NASA astronaut and La. economist to speak at Governor's Conference on Economic Development

LSU Chancellor Sean O'Keefe to announce recipient of LSU Football Sponsorship presented by LED

BATON ROUGE - Site selection expert Dennis Cuneo, astronaut Leroy Chiao, Ph.D. and Louisiana economist Loren C. Scott, Ph.D., will be the featured speakers at this year's Governor's Conference on Economic Development, hosted by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco April 11-12 at the River Center in Baton Rouge. Also at the conference, LSU Chancellor Sean O'Keefe will announce the recipient of the LSU Football sponsorship giveaway presented by Louisiana Economic Development (LED). 

The conference will feature sessions on the following topics: 

- Workforce: Strategies To Compete In the 21st Century

- Small Business/Entrepreneurship

- Financing/Incentives

- Marketing Your Community

- Entertainment: the Cultural Economy

- Corporate Site Selection & Industry Trends

Dennis Cuneo, counsel at Washington, D.C. law firm Arent Fox, will deliver this year's keynote. He provides strategic counsel and advice to corporations, trade associations and organizations on a broad range of issues. Prior to joining Arent Fox, Cuneo served as senior vice president of Toyota Motor North America, where he spent most of the last 10 years leading site selection for Toyota's new plants in North America. He was named one of the top 10 people who have influenced economic development in the South by Southern Business & Development magazine. 

Astronaut Leroy Chiao, Ph.D. was selected for the space program by NASA in January 1990. Since then he has completed four space flights, including as Commander and Science Officer of the 10th mission to the International Space Station in 2000. He has conducted experiments in space, along with repair and installation space walks. Educated as a chemical engineer, Dr. Chiao worked as a researcher and engineer in both the private sector and at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory prior to joining the space program. 

Louisiana economist Loren C. Scott, Ph.D., president and founder of Loren C. Scott & Associates is also Professor Emeritus of Economics at Louisiana State University (LSU). Dr. Scott is co-developer of the Louisiana econometric model used to provide annual forecasts of the state's economy each fall. His firm provides economic impact studies, forecasting services, analysis of policy proposals and general economic analyses. 

Former NASA administrator and current LSU Chancellor Sean O'Keefe will announce the recipient of an LSU Football sponsorship giveaway presented by LED. The giveaway is part of LED's statewide "Laissez le Business Rouler" marketing campaign, designed to spur local businesses to recognize and invest in opportunities in Louisiana. Interested Louisiana business owners can enter the giveaway at LouisianaForward.com until March 19th simply by clicking on the LSU Football Sponsorship and writing a short statement about how they are helping to move Louisiana forward. 

Registration for the 2007 Governor's Conference on Economic Development is available online at lagovconf.com. Early registration fee is $125 per person through March 16, 2007. Beginning March 17, registration will increase to $150. 

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