I spent several days with Governor Doyle and over a dozen Cabinet Secretaries on the 3rd Annual "Up North" Tour that just wrapped up a few days ago. The Tour covered a lot of ground with stops in over 20 communities, ranging from Ashland to Webster.

One of the Tour's many goals was to outline state initiatives to grow Wisconsin's economy. Governor Doyle made several economic development announcements during the Tour. In addition, just a few days prior to the Tour's kick-off, Governor Doyle announced his "Conserve Wisconsin" agenda - a strategy to protect our waters, conserve our lands, and ensure a sustainable energy future. The initiative is important statewide but is especially vital for northern Wisconsin, with its significant reliance on natural resources.

During the Tour, I had the opportunity to visit businesses and meet government and economic development officials from throughout northern Wisconsin. While I do travel "up north" quite often - my wife's family is from Ashland - it was a great experience to see the many proud Wisconsin communities and learn of their resources, successes and challenges.

The Tour reinforced my belief that northern Wisconsin has much to offer the state's economy. While we first think of "up north" as a place for recreation, it does play an important role in many other sectors of Wisconsin's economy as well.

Forward Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Department of Commerce's International Division are partnering in putting together a marketing program targeting CEOs from top Japanese companies like Toshiba, NEC, and Honda. The venue for the marketing effort will be the 37th Annual U.S. Midwest Japan Association Conference being held September 11-13, 2005.

Forward's goal at the Conference is to develop relationships that will boost Japanese investment in the state. Commerce will be pursuing export opportunities for Wisconsin companies. "Leadership in a Global Economy" is the theme for the Annual Joint Meeting of The Midwest U.S. - Japan Association and The Japan - Midwest U.S. Association.

Cincinnati and the State of Ohio are hosting this year's event. The Conference's location alternates years between Japan and a Midwest U.S. site. Wisconsin last hosted the Annual Meeting in 1991. Mary Regel, Commerce's International Division Administrator, and Forward's Pepi Randolph will attend the conference and work in a Wisconsin exhibit area.

You're invited! Forward Wisconsin will celebrate its 21st year later this month by holding an Annual Meeting Reception on Tuesday, September 27 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. American Family Insurance Company, located at 6000 American Parkway in Madison, will host the event. American Family Insurance and The American Center business park are major investors in Forward Wisconsin.

Governor Doyle (invited) will highlight a brief program that will begin at 5:30 p.m. The reception will take place in the Rotunda of Building A at American Family's national headquarter facility. Everyone with an interest in economic development and Forward Wisconsin is invited. Register and receive driving directions by clicking on the links below. Please respond by September 16 if you can attend.

Register for the Annual Meeting Reception

Get Directions to the Annual Meeting Reception

The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) Fall Conference, scheduled for September 20 - 22, will feature "hands-on" sessions on strategies in community readiness for economic development infrastructure. Specific topics of the two-day event will include accessing community wireless technology, the site selection process, eminent domain and organizational infrastructure.

The keynote speaker of the conference will be Robert Mariano, CEO of Roundy's. He will talk about Roundy’s decision to move their corporate office to downtown Milwaukee from the suburbs, and the construction of a new distribution center in Oconomowoc. WEDA has chosen the Olympia Resort & Conference Center in Oconomowoc for the location of its event. For more information on the WEDA Fall Conference, visit the "Quick Click" link below.