‘Prospering Business’ workshop coming Nov. 3

By Reader Staff

Idaho Lt. Gov. Brad Little will keynote an agenda with more than a dozen notable business and commerce speakers at the second annual  What’s Happening Up North Prospering Business Workshop coming Nov. 3 to Sandpoint.

The workshop is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and advance registration is required by Monday, Oct. 31 at www.whatshappeningupnorth.org.

The day begins with a continental breakfast at 7 a.m., proceeds to talks and panel discussions, and includes a catered lunch before a final address concludes at 2:30 p.m. It will be held at the new Sandpoint Technology Center at 130 McGhee Road, Sandpoint, in the former Coldwater Creek conference facility.

Lt. Gov. Brad Little

Highlighted speakers feature Little, Idaho’s lieutenant governor since 2009 and one of the chief state officials charged with facilitating economic development in Idaho. Other featured speakers at the workshop include Chris Healy, vice president at Biomedical Innovations; John Hennessey, chief financial officer for Bonner General Health; and Dana Jordan, CEO and president of Cascade Rescue.

The theme of the workshop this year is “Growing a ‘Healthy’ Economy,” with discussions of the health of the state and regional economy, as well as trends specifically impacting health care providers in northern Idaho. Other topics will range from land use planning to state and city updates.

“As with our first workhop that we inaugurated last year, the goal is to share ideas about business prosperity, economic development and quality of life in the northern Idaho business community,” said Megan Lawson, an economist with Headwaters Economics and one of the event organizers.

Added Paul Kusche, excecutive director of Bonner County Economic Development Corporation: “Along with providing solid practical information, we want the workshop to help energize and connect those who attend from the business communites of Bonner and Boundary counties.”

The speakers from signature local companies will discuss doing business in North Idaho and the challenges they have overcome in growing their companies here. They will also highlight local resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs. The panel discussion format will provide ample opportunity for questions and conversation.

This year’s workshop is sponsored by the Bonner County Economic Development Corporation; Boundary County Economic Development Corporation; Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce; cities of Sandpoint and Ponderay, Schweitzer Mountain Resort; and Headwaters Economics.