2022 Policy Summit

GNDC invites you to attend the 2022 Policy Summit on Tuesday, September 27, in Bismarck. This annual event brings together business and government leaders to discuss policies impacting North Dakota's business climate and address issues impacting our state's future growth.

This premier public policy forum is a non-partisan event open to members and non-members of the Greater North Dakota Chamber. Attendees have cited that the event's success is due to GNDC's commitment to ensuring various views are represented on the presented issues.  

This is a hybrid event. 
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AGENDA

8:30 AM: Registration Opens

9:30 AM: Welcome

9:35 AM: Leadership Remarks
Sponsored by: Midco

10:00 AM: Media & Public Policy in the Era of Fake News

11:00 AM: North Dakota Business Climate

• Survey Release with Dr. John Bitzan, Challey Institute - North Dakota State University

12 PM: Lunch
Sponsored by: Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota

1:15 PM: Legacy Fund Earnings Priorities

2:15 PM: Networking

2:30 PM: ND's Economic Development Toolkit

3:30 PM: Response to Federal Regulatory Overreach
Sponsored by: Altria

4:30 PM: Close
**4:35 PM: ND Chamber PAC Social for PAC Contributors

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

9:35AM: Leadership Remarks
Both creators in their space, they started their organizations from the ground. Two undisputable leaders in North Dakota’s business community these individuals have influence well beyond the borders. We are excited to showcase these perspectives as they chose and continue to choose North Dakota. 

Roger Reierson: Roger makes things grow. He joined Flint in 1976, when it employed 13 people. Today, he serves as Executive Chairman of RR46 comprised of multiple business units with more than 250 employees with offices in Fargo, Grand Forks, Duluth, remote workers in 15 states and one of North America’s largest Agricultural-Marketing firms- AdFarm, with office in Calgary, Fargo, Guelph, and Kansas City. 

He is a thought leader and officer for many groups and has served on numerous boards, including as a past Chair and current board member for GNDC and a past Chair of the Fargo Chamber. In 2011, he was named NAMA National Agri-Marketer of the Year. He has gone beyond his work in international communications helping develop agribusiness opportunities in Africa. 


Governor Doug Burgum: Burgum took office as the 33rd governor of North Dakota on December 15, 2016. 

Driven by a strong belief in North Dakota’s people and a powerful dream, he returned to his home state and helped lead Great Plains Software from a small startup company in 1983 into an award-winning tech firm that employed thousands. Burgum led Great Plains as CEO through its initial public offering in 1997 and acquisition by Microsoft Corp. in 2001.In 2006, Burgum founded the Kilbourne Group, a real estate development firm committed to creating smart, healthy cities through vibrant downtowns. 



10AM: Media & Public Policy in the Era of Fake News
The media’s influence and spin has become a concerning debate over the recent years. Propaganda, misinformation and fake news have the potential to polarize public opinion to promote distrust. Journalism has been revolutionized by the onslaught of digital developments including platform introductions, urgency and consumption, and performance/click thru rates. With the decline in public trust, policy developments are being impacted. Government and policy makers rely on factual, unbiased systems to report ongoings and also educate to plan forward. 

Diving into the conversation of credibility, hear from local experts who have experience in the area of reporting, investigative journalism, and public policy impacts. 

PANELISTS:

• Dave Thompson, Prairie Public
• Rep. Austen Schauer (District 13)
• Tyler Axness, Afternoons Live - KFGO 

11:00 AM: North Dakota Business Climate
North Dakota is constantly ranked and measured by the current conditions of economic outputs. The state has ranked #1, #23, #7 and so on, depending on the outside factors at play, including the price of oil or the world market condition. These rankings don’t tell the accurate story of what’s happening at the policy level that can influence or encourage the business climate. GNDC with the North Dakota State University Challey Institute, hosted a survey to examine and assess North Dakota's regulatory and business environment.

The session will begin with a results summary from survey administrator, Dr. John Bitzan. Following this overview, a moderated conversation will respond to the findings and discuss paths forward toward positive policy change that affect businesses that continue to choose North Dakota. 

MODERATOR: Tiffany Ford - Director, ND Small Business Development Center

PANELISTS:

• Rep. Jason Dockter (District 7)
• Dennis Johnson - Chairman & CEO, TMI Systems
• Matt Chaussee - CEO, Be More Colorful

1:15 PM: Legacy Fund Earning Priorities
The upcoming Legislative Session will be the first session that will authorize the use of earnings from the Legacy Fund for projects versus general government operations. While a blueprint was established in the previous session, many debates continue to surface to discuss the priorities of these dollars. These conversations have focused on if these dollars should be allocated towards tax relief, infrastructure investments, workforce development programs or attractions, further diversification of our economy, or continuing to save for a rainy day.

What is the next step and what are legislators expecting or hoping to see?

MODERATOR: Pam Sharp, Olson Effertz Lobbying & Consulting, LLC 

PANELISTS:

• Sen. Ron Sorvaag (District 45)
• Rep. Mike Lefor (District 37)
• Rep. Corey Mock (District 18)

 
 

2:30 PM: ND's Economic Development Toolkit
Economic development is the critical component of quality of life. If done effectively, these programs, policies, or activities can retain and grow jobs as well as further the tax base adding to growth and investment to attract and retain citizens. For North Dakota to remain competitive in attracting businesses who are the key generators of wealth, there must be a full arsenal of resources to deploy. These incentives must be utilized in a strategic manner to not only invite conversations of interest but seal the deal for development.

 
This session will look at perspectives of those engaging in intentional investments in our state. Are the necessary tools available? Are the right players coming to the table? What more could be done? Are we losing out or leaving money on the table or are we giving away the farm? How are other states doing?
 
MODERATOR: Kelvin Hullet, Bank of North Dakota 
 
PANELISTS:

• Teran Doerr, EDND & Bowman County Development Corporation
• Kate Blair, Marathon Petroleum
• Ryan Raguse, Bushel

3:30 Response to Federal Regulatory Overreach
Sponsored by: Altria
There is a delicate balance between the powers of federal government and state government. When that balance is upset, whether from presidential executive orders or proposed rules by federal agencies, the impacts are felt by the business community. From energy to water to healthcare, North Dakota has felt the swings of each administration change and has had to flex in response. These shifts in response to federal reach and regulations result in an unsteady path for businesses to navigate filled with uncertainty.
 
This panel will discuss the real and potential consequences of federal overreach and response strategies for North Dakota and its businesses.

MODERATOR: Carlee McLeod - President, Utility Shareholders of North Dakota

PANELISTS:

• Attorney General Drew Wrigley
• Andrea Travnicek - Director, ND Dept. of Water Resources
• Matt Perdue - North Dakota Farmers Union 

  

Refund policy: Full refunds are available prior to September 1. After this date, you may send an alternate from the same organization to the event without additional charge. To request a cancellation or to make a change, please email amanda@NDChamber.com.