APWA Minnesota Chapter

APWA Minnesota Chapter 2009 Spring Conference
May 13-15, 2009
Grand View Lodge and Conference Center, Nisswa, Minnesota

Times are tough right now. The economy. Mortgage foreclosures. Bailouts. Unemployment. Housing market down. Budget deficits. And for public works professionals, it becomes worse as the state politicians cut financial aid, freeze salaries, and handcuff cities with levy limits during times of declining revenues due to the housing market slump. Once again, we are asked to do more with less. To become more efficient. Why is it that public works programs are the first on the chopping block while public safety and education manage to maintain their priorities with the elected officials? Infrastructure is the rage today, but how much are people and politicians really ready to put their money where their mouth is when times are tough.

But the glass is still half full. We need to maintain a positive attitude and continue to send our message that public works provides excellent value and essential services to society. The topics selected for the 2009 conference were picked to help communicate the value of public works so that we can be viewed on the same plane as other essential services. In spite of the current economic challenges, it is time to “look on the bright side” of public works.

On Wednesday night we kick off the conference with an upbeat, light hearted speaker, Ross Bernstein, who is a former Goldy Gopher and renowned author of over 40 books regarding athletes and life, with a majority of them having a Minnesota connection. Mr. Bernstein will give us a “rousing” start to the conference to remind us that life is good and that it is good to balance work with fun.

Thursday morning we start with Mr. Glen Karnowski, who is the CEO of a leading public relations firm in the country. He will provide ideas on how to communicate our message and how we can create and build solid reputations to your elected officials and citizens on the value of Public Works. Later that morning, we will hear from a panel of experts, led by Mr. Bill Joynes, Hamline University, who will discuss the current political climate regarding infrastructure and how to get your local officials to make tough decisions to benefit public works. The speakers will provide suggestions for how you, the public works official, can be heard at the table during budget and cutback discussions.

Friday morning we once again acknowledge the importance and good work of Public Works as part of the emergency preparedness team by hearing from Chris Petree, formerly of Hugo and now with Lakeville, on the devastating Hugo tornado and the public works response to that event. Chris was impacted not only professionally by this disaster, but personally as well, and his story emphasizes the point that public works is not a 9-5 job, but rather a 24/7 commitment. A “job well done.”

We will follow that with our annual legislative session with Anne Finn and Margaret Donahoe to speak on what is happening at the state level. In addition, we are pleased to have Ms. Catharine Cyr Ransom, a Washington DC lobbyist and insider, attend to give us the federal perspective and what is currently happening regarding infrastructure funding. Ms. Ransom is as former Senior Policy Advisor for the Senate Environmental and PW Committee and also for the office of Senator Bob Graham (Florida).

On behalf of the Bob Cockriel, Co- Chair and the entire Planning Committee, I encourage you to attend this year’s 2009 APWA Minnesota Chapter Spring Conference. I think the topics will be timely and informative. And of course the best part of the conference is the socializing and networking, whether it is at the banquet, on a fishing boat, after a round of golf or over a cold beverage, to share in ideas from your fellow public works peers on communicating the value of Public Works.

Dave Hutton
Vice President and Conference Co-Chair

 

Future Conference Dates

Made possible through support and partnership of Minnesota Department of Transportation

Facilitated by the College of Continuing Education, University of Minnesota