2020 Policy Summit - Virtual Event

The Policy Summit is GNDC's flagship event that brings together business and government leadership to discuss policies impacting North Dakota 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.

This year, COVID-19 has upturned the planning of this event and because of that, GNDC has overhauled the format. Going virtual allows attendees to concentrate on the issues and worry less about social distancing and masks. The event will feature 5 moderated panel sessions. Speakers will all be together around the same table, in the same location, to discuss various areas of impact. These casual conversations among industry experts have been happening and this year's Policy Summit will give an exclusive behind the scenes view to attendees.

The event will take place August 25 - 27 with calls occurring at 10:00 AM on Tuesday and Wednesday and 2:00 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Attendees can register for the entire event or for individual sessions.

Panel Schedule

August 25
- 10:00 AM: Reigniting our Economy
- 2:00 PM: ND's Hospitality Industry: Navigating Forward
August 26
- 10:00 AM: Occupational Licensure: Refinement or Reform
- 2:00 PM: The Road Ahead for ND Energy
August 27
- 2:00 PM: Crisis Leadership

Each panel is anticipated to last 1 hour.

Panel Descriptions

August 25 | 10:00 AM: Reigniting our Economy

As COVID19 seeped across the nation, states issued shelter-in-place orders freezing their economies. Rule makers and government leaders are working to reopen the country in a safe, yet sound, manner. North Dakota has remained one of the most open states in the nation throughout the pandemic. Moving through 2020, it is vital for our state to continue being mindful of our position in the world market. This panel will discuss North Dakota's economic recovery. Panelists will touch on the current conditions but focus on steps moving forward to ensure our state remains strong.

Panelists:

Michelle Kommer, Commissioner, ND Dept. of Commerce
David Flynn, Economist, University of North Dakota
Brenda Foster, Chairperson, President & CEO, First Western Bank & Trust
Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, ND Dept. of Agriculture

Moderator: Matt Gardner, Director of Government Affairs, Greater North Dakota Chamber

Chat Moderator: Nick Hacker, President/CEO, ND Guaranty and Title Co, Chair, ND State Board of Higher Education, and GNDC Board of Directors Member

August 25 | 2:00 PM: ND's Hospitality Industry: Navigating Forward
COVID19's introduction of the phrase, "social distancing" slammed the brakes on progress and prosperity occurring in the hospitality industry. The vibrancy of hotels, restaurants, and bars impacts a community beyond food and beverage sales to resident attraction and engagement, adding to tax revenue, and employing North Dakotans. Quick pivots and shifts, with community support and ordinance changes, allowed hospitality businesses to survive despite pandemic restrictions. Panelists will discuss strategies moving forward to ensure this industry is able to creatively move past hurdles to a place of vitality again.

Panelists:

Dusty Jensen, COO, Apple Core Enterprises
Rep. Mike Lefor, Owner, Blue 42 Sports Grille & Bar
Shannon McQuade-Ely, President, McQuade Distributing Co. Inc
Lisa Hixson-Moltzen, Regency Hotel Management

Moderator: Rudie Martinson, Executive Director, ND Hospitality Association

Chat Moderator: Justin Fisk, Marketing and Communications Director, Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation

August 26 | 10:00 AM: Occupational Licensure: Refinement or Reform
In recent years, occupational licensure reform has gained momentum at the federal level as well as the state level. In 2019, licensing affected 3 in 10 workers and more than 1,000 occupations. Some states have worked to repeal licenses while others are focusing on removing barriers or removing requirements for access. Each state has taken its own strategy, Idaho has reduced or removed associated fees, Connecticut has removed the need for certain licenses, and Arizona has offered universal reciprocity. While the goal is to address workforce challenges, there is a concern about the fine line between entry restrictions for workers and protecting the public from untrained/incompetent practitioners.

Panelists:

Katie Ralston, Workforce Division Director, ND Dept. of Commerce
Mike Krumwiede, COO, The Staiger Consulting Group
Sen. Randy Burckhard, District 5
Mark Hardy, Executive Director, ND Board of Pharmacy

Moderator: John MacMartin, President, Minot Area Chamber of Commerce and Interim President, Minot Area Development Corporation

Chat Moderator: Matt Gardner, Director of Government Affairs, GNDC

August 26 | 2:00 PM: The Road Ahead for ND Energy
In 2019, North Dakota ranked second in the nation in crude oil production. The state was one of the top 10 ethanol-producing states, its five ethanol plants provided 3% of the nation's fuel ethanol. North Dakota contains the world's largest known deposit of lignite and currently is a top-10 coal-producing state, accounting for 4% of U.S. coal production. Last year, coal-fired power plants provided 63% of North Dakota's electricity generation and wind energy accounted for 27%, the fourth-highest share from wind power for any state. These facts demonstrate the position North Dakota has in the energy global market. Moving into the next decade, it is important for business leaders to be aware of the ongoing efforts and plans that this sector is currently developing.

Panelists:

Kathleen Neset, Owner/President, Neset Consulting and Chair, ND Petroleum Council
Justin Kringstad, Director, ND Pipeline Authority
Nicole Kivisto, President and CEO, Montana-Dakota Utilities Co.
Jason Bohrer, President and CEO, Lignite Energy Council

Moderator: Lieutenant Governor Brent Sanford

Chat Moderator: Zachary Smith, Communications and Government Relations Director and General Counsel, ND Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives

August 27 | 2:00 PM: Crisis Leadership
2020 has been a year of challenges for leaders at the helm. Decisions, which impact individuals and organizations, have been made under high-stress situations, often with little data available. Join Governor Burgum and panelists discuss their points of view during this tumultuous year, the decisions made, and the lessons learned.