OK-SAFE, Inc. – August 31, 2011
It’s nice to have friends in high places who send you announcements every now and then.
There is something outrageous going on in every corner of this state, making it a challenge to keep up with activities, or to even decide which one to focus on. Networking amongst the grassroots is helpful in keeping up with various events and issues of concern, especially those events and issues that are advancing the sovereignty-killing tenets of globalization (the “new economy”), the rising technocracy, sustainable development, and foreign direct investment by the Chinese.
For a mere $300 one can attend (along with the political insiders) a single conference advancing all of these killer policies at one time – in Norman, OK.
One can also get a heads-up on what the 2012 OK legislative session will be emphasizing. (That is, in addition to the establishment of a health insurance “marketplace” to replace the “exchanges” of last session. More on that at a later date.)
The OEDC (Oklahoma Economic Development Council) is sponsoring the 2011 OEDC’ Economic Development Summit – The New Oklahoma Economy: Global, Social, Sustainable, Strategic. October 3-4, 2011, Norman, OK at the Embassy Suites.
The entire agenda is below. Governor Mary Fallin (referred to as the state’s “CEO”), is a keynote speaker, as well as Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb.
Fallin’s topic on October 3, 2011 is “selling” Oklahoma in this new economy. Selling it to whom? The Chinese?
Folks may want to contact our “CEO” and ask her this very question. And what are Todd Lamb’s intentions?
Governor Fallin: 405-521-2342, Toll free: 800-865-5853
Lt. Governor Todd Lamb – 405-521-2161
Link to OEDC 2011 Summit Agenda: 2011SummitAgenda_8_24_11
Monday, October 3rd
8:00 Registration Open – Coffee and Exhibitor Showcase
8:30-8:45 Welcome and Introductions – Judee Snodderly, OEDC President
8:45-9:00 “The New Economy – Global/Social/Sustainable/Strategic” – 2011 Summit Chair, Richard Cornelison, OG&E
9:00-9:30 “Oklahoma’s CEO” – The Honorable Mary Fallin, Governor, State of Oklahoma
Governor Fallin will discuss her plan to sell Oklahoma in this new economy
9:30-10:30 “Oklahoma’s Strategic Assets: Capitalizing on Our Global Position in the New Economy”- Sandy Pratt,
Oklahoma Dept. of Commerce
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce will discuss the state’s growth potential, competitive edge and location trends to determine
targeted industry sectors in the 21st century economy.
10:30-10:45 Exhibitor Showcase & Networking Break
10:45-11:45 Break-out sessions- choose from four- they repeat three times
1. Global- Economic Development/Foreign Direct Investments- Gene DePrez-Global Innovation
Partners)
Our economies have become global. What happens in Europe, S. America, Africa and Asia affects companies in the United
States. Mr. DePrez will discuss economic development in today’s global environment, including a discussion on Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI).
2. Social/Social Media-ED communications/operations using social media- Mark James,
ED Solutions, Inc.
Google, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and many other types of social media and technology drive companies behaviors, marketing
messages and market communications. Mr. James will discuss the impact of social media on the practice of economic
development as well as how to position and communicate to compete. What does your state and region need to be doing?
Find out!
3. Sustainable/Economic Sustainability- Knowledge Economy: Innovation, entrepreneurship, technology- Piyush Patel, PL Studios, Inc., Green Economy: Renewable, sustainability, creating jobs in the new economy- Jeff Finkle, IEDC
With technology and innovation driving systemic changes in our economy, including job creation and investments for entrepreneurs as well as the green economy. Mr. Patel and Mr. Finkle will discuss what this means to economic development and what steps we need to take capture the investments and jobs in this environment of sustainability.
4. Strategy/Strategy is Everything – why being strategic matters and how to do it- Greg Main, President, St. Gregory’s University
How do you get to where you need to go? What competitive advantage have you created in your state/region that will allow companies to succeed? With limited resources, making tough decisions about investments in ED is critical. Mr. Main will discuss why being strategic in today’s new economy is critical to long-term success.
11:45 -12 Exhibitor Showcase & Networking Break
12-1:00 Keynote Address- “Economic Development in the New Economy”- Jeff Finkle, President/CEO, International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
Mr. Finkle will give an overview of the state of economic development and will discuss the issues he believes are critical to continue to growing jobs and capital investment in this new economy.
1:00-1:15 Exhibitor Showcase Networking Break
1:15-2:30 Repeat all four breakout sessions as described above
2:30-2:45 Exhibitor Showcase Networking Break
2:45-4:00 Repeat all four breakout sessions as described above
4:15-5:00 “Targeted Marketing and Branding”- Lea Taylor, What if Creative
Mrs. Taylor, President of What if Creative and Executive Director of the Greater Fort Smith Regional Alliance will discuss what you need to create a marketing message, how to strategically target companies and how to develop and branding message that makes an impact in today’s new economy.
5:00-6:00 Networking Reception and Exhibitor Showcase- Sponsored by Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau, Norman Economic Development Council and Norman Chamber of Commerce
Tuesday, October 4th
8:00-8:30 Coffee and Exhibitor Showcase networking break
8:30-9:30 “The Other GDP- An Oklahoma Assessment”- Del Boyette, Boyette Strategic Advisors
Mr. Boyette, former head of AEDC and President/CEO of Boyette Strategic Advisors will discuss how to target and approach corporate decision makers and investment impact in this new economy. He will also explain how states/regions should be strategic in their approaches. He will also provide his assessment of Oklahoma’s effort and will reveal his top 10 list for Oklahoma.
9:30-9:45 Exhibitor Showcase & Networking Break
10:00-11:00 “Strategic Partnerships/Collaborative Initiatives”- Josh O’Brien- i2e and Greater Oklahoma City Chamber; Dr. Terry Golding- Amethyst Research, Inc. /OK Sensor Alliance; Brien Thorstenberg (Moderator)
Hear from two organizations that have figured it out. Collaboration and cooperation, along with articulated strategies, have allowed these two dynamic groups to flourish and have a significant impact on Oklahoma’s economy. Are you thinking strategically within your region? If not, this panel will have the ideas on what’s worked for them.
11:00-12:00 “Oklahoma’s Strengths & Weaknesses from a Business Perspective”-
•Siobhan Reilly, Food ProTech, Stillwater
•Jay Wade, Red Earth Systems, OKC
•Joe Robillard, President of Autoquip, Inc. in Guthrie
•Ken Parker, NextThought, Norman
•Kay Wade (Moderator)
Rural or urban, large or small, capital intensive or labor intensive, different industry sectors- every region and state has advantages.
These companies and their leaders found Oklahoma offered them what they needed to invest here. What do we do right, what needs to be improved? This panel will offer invaluable insight into the minds of business decision makers in our state.
12-1:30 Keynote Luncheon- Oklahoma’s Plan for Success
•Secretary of Commerce David Lopez
•The Honorable Todd Lamb, Lieutenant Governor, State of Oklahoma,
•Bob Sullivan Governor’s Economic Development Group
•OEDC’s Economic Development Professional of the Year
Hear from those in government and executive leadership positions on where Oklahoma needs to go from here. In this new economy, howdo compete? What’s the next big idea? How do we create a strategy at the state level that can be implemented and shared with
regional partnerships and rural/urban communities? How do we leverage our assets and create an environment that keeps us competitive in this global, social, sustainable and strategic economy?
1:30-2:30 The Skinny on Consultant Relationships- Gene Stinson, Executive Director, Southern Economic Development
Council (SEDC). Ever wonder what consultants do? How they make their decisions and why some states/regions get selected for RFP’s and others don’t?
Mr. Stinson, Executive Director for SEDC, will give you his insight on what they do and why they do it.
2:30 Wrap-Up/Adjourn
OK-SAFE, Inc. Blog 
What leads you to believe she will be selling the economy to the Chinese? I am just wondering because if so then something has to be done.
Comment by John — September 1, 2011 @ 7:07 pm
John, thanks for commenting.
The concerns we have are as a result of the recent MOU signed by our government with the Chinese creating the first ever U.S.-China Governors Forum, (which Fallin attended as a member of the National Governors Association (NGA) at their annual meeting held in Salt Lake City, Utah held in July of this year), and the resulting agreements made by some states with China.
Link to overview from the U.S. State Dept.: http://translations.state.gov/st/english/texttrans/2011/07/20110720153516su0.341148.html
By one account, at least 40 MOUs (Memorandums of Understanding occured as a result of this Chinese delegations trip to the U.S.) It is unknown at this time if if any of them were made with Oklahoma.
The NGA is actively promoting foreign direct investment by the Chinese; Governor Fallin is on the Executive Committee of this organization, as well as a member of their Economic Development and Commerce Committee. Lt. Governor Todd Lamb, at a Republican W omens’ luncheon held in Tulsa in June of this year mentioned a trip to China in October of this year. (Note: His office has since backed away from this statement, saying he is not going to China in October. This is possibly due to push back.)
China is actively pursuing direct investment in the United States. See this China Investment map from the Rhodium Group: http://www.rhgroup.net/noflash.php
Texas is leading the way in pursuing this type of investment by the Chinese and our OK leaders look to Texas as an example of ‘business friendly’ policies.
The Oklahoma Dept. of Commerce is seeking a China Representative, whose job description includes seeking foreign direct investment in the state of Oklahoma.
Link to RFQ China 2012 Doc. http://www.okcommerce.gov/Commerce/Become-A-Commerce-Vendor
Oklahoma-based Chesapeake Energy, a major political campaign contributor, recently signed deals with Cnocc (China National Offshore Oil Company) for oil and natural gas production:
Story with Link: “Cnooc Adds to Chesapeake Energy Stake”, http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/01/31/cnooc-takes-further-chesapeake-stake/
Story with Link: “Cnooc in $2.2 Billion Deal With Chesapeake Energy”, http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2010/10/11/cnooc-in-2-2-billion-deal-with-chesapeake-energy/
For more details see other posts on the OK-SAFE blog site. And may we suggest you write or call OK Governor Mary Fallin and ask her directly – is her administration actively pursuing foreign direct investment by the Chinese in the state of Oklahoma? It would be interesting to see if you get a response.
Regards,
OK-SAFE, Inc.
Comment by oksafeinc — September 1, 2011 @ 9:06 pm