I can readily admit that over these past several weeks, I have spent more time at the State Capitol than I have at any other point in my life. Let me tell you, it is a splendid and gorgeous building and I encourage anyone who has not visited the State Capitol to do so. Now, none of my time there has involved learning the history of structure nor going on the official tour, even though I'd certainly like to do that at some point. My mission at the State Capitol has rather been focused on providing our state legislators with information on the benefits of increased funding for Forward Wisconsin, or put simply - "lobbying."

For those unfamiliar with economic development organizations, my lobbying activity may come as a bit of surprise. Yet, for Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) members and others that work for and with local, regional and state economic development groups, lobbying has become part of our ongoing job description.

The reason for lobbying has become more necessary. Countywide groups get funding from county government and multiple municipalities. Regional groups get funding from multiple counties and municipalities across a large area. No doubt, being an economic development professional requires many skills and the ability to wear many hats. Lobbying is just one part of the job description - and a key one - because without public funding and support, critical economic development efforts would fall by the wayside.

In Forward Wisconsin's case, we receive public dollars in the state's biennial budget that we have to match with private dollars. The public investment in Forward Wisconsin has not increased since we began 22 years ago and is actually less than in 1984. Accordingly, my lobbying efforts have been geared towards increasing that investment through Senate Bill 513 and its companion bill, Assembly Bill 1017, to accomplish that goal. I have been meeting with legislators on both sides of the aisle in my lobbying effort - pitching them on the benefits of supporting Forward Wisconsin and our efforts to attract more jobs, investment and tax revenue growth for Wisconsin.

I thank you for your support as we work toward passage of the legislation to gain more resources to accomplish Forward Wisconsin's mission. We appreciate your efforts.

With a total budget of nearly $300,000, over 150 Wisconsin representatives scheduled to attend, and close to 50 sponsoring and participating organizations, Wisconsin’s promotional effort at BIO 2006 will be the largest single marketing initiative ever undertaken to attract business and investment to the state. BIO 2006 is the largest biotechnology conference in the world and is visiting the Midwest for the first time in its history. It will take place April 9-12 in Chicago at the McCormick Place Convention Center. Over 20,000 biotech executives, investors, journalists, policy makers and scientists from more than 60 countries are expected to attend BIO 2006.

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and UW-Madison stem cell pioneer Dr. James Thomson will lead a diverse group of Wisconsin life science executives, economic developers, state government officials, lawyers, venture capitalists, researchers, technology licensing representatives and higher education professionals to BIO 2006. Forward Wisconsin President Pepi Randolph and Forward Wisconsin Business Development Director Jan Alf have been working with an advisory group of industry leaders for months in preparing for the Wisconsin marketing effort at BIO 2006. Forward Wisconsin has coordinated the state’s presence at the BIO conferences since 1999.

BIO 2006 is organized by the Biotechnology Industry Organization and is the primary annual educational conference for the life science industry. A 1600-square-foot large Wisconsin exhibit pavilion area will highlight the state’s marketing program. The pavilion will include a “BIOTheatre” featuring video and live presentations from many of Wisconsin’s top biotech firms. Governor Doyle and Dr. Thomson will visit the pavilion and appear at multiple events in Chicago to help promote Wisconsin’s biotechnology resources and cutting-edge research and technology.

Quarles & Brady, one of the nation’s top business and intellectual property law firms, is sponsoring an invitation-only reception on April 10th for over 100 national and international biotechnology company executives as part of Wisconsin’s marketing effort. The event will take place atop the John Hancock Center and will be hosted by Quarles & Brady attorneys, Governor Doyle and Dr. Thomson. A program touting Wisconsin as a biotech leader will highlight the reception that will focus on encouraging partnerships between Wisconsin firms and those outside the state, as well as attracting investment and business to the state.

To further promote Wisconsin life science firms, Forward Wisconsin is spearheading several marketing pieces and presentations for BIO 2006.

• Wisconsin biotechnology and medical device company directory
• Printed marketing piece highlighting Wisconsin’s industry strengths
• Pre-show postcard mailer to the all the BIO 2006 pre-registered attendees
• Wisconsin “BIOTheatre” and Wisconsin pavilion layout
• 30-second “rich-media” video, sent via e-mail, encouraging attendees to visit our pavilion
• 3-minute promotional DVD with testimonials highlighting Wisconsin’s life science assets
• CD-ROM that includes the “Bioscience Wisconsin 2006” report authored by the Wisconsin Association for Biomedical Research & Education
• Wisconsin 2006 Pavilion Directory of Sponsors

Forward Wisconsin is also proud to be a participant in the BioMidwest community - an effort to promote a regional biotech cluster. For more information, you can visit BioSpace.

David Beurle, founder and principal of Innovative Leadership Australia, will be the featured speaker for the 6th Annual Southwest Wisconsin Regional Economic Development Conference. Beurle created Innovative Leadership Australia with the mission to bring the tools and skills to the people who care the most – the people who choose to make rural towns and regions their home. His work in community and economic development has brought him international, national and state recognition.

The April 4th conference brings together business owners, entrepreneurs, educators, community leaders, lenders, economic development professionals and government leaders to learn about the latest economic development news for the tri-state region and to network with others who share a regional economic development perspective. This year’s conference focuses on identifying resources and assets for building regional success – together.

The 2006 conference will be held in the Velzy Commons of the Ullsvik Center on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. The UW-Platteville Office of Continuing Education is processing registrations. To register, call toll free, 888.281.9472 or click here.

The Southwest Wisconsin Regional Economic Development Coalition welcomes participants from Iowa, Grant, Lafayette, Green, Crawford, and Richland counties (in Wisconsin) as well as leaders from Dubuque and Dubuque County in Iowa and Jo Davies County in Illinois. Forward Wisconsin is one of many sponsors of the Conference.