Council President Kenneth Adams says event must be used
to promote economic development; locations to change each year ALBANY—Business Council President Kenneth
Adams announced today that The Business Council will hold its 2008 Annual meeting September 16-18 in Buffalo.
Governor Eliot Spitzer has committed to attending the meeting and delivering a keynote address, Adams noted.
"The Business Council's decision to move its annual meeting to Buffalo will help shine a spotlight not only on the challenges facing the Western New York economy, but also the immense opportunities for growth in that area," said Governor Spitzer. "During my first year in office, we've made important strides in improving the business climate through business tax cuts and a landmark workers' compensation reform agreement. And it's clear good things are starting to happen in the Buffalo area, as evidenced by my administration's 'City-by-City' partnership with the private sector to help move forward several priority economic development projects in the region. But we're committed to doing even more, and working with the Business Council to help make it happen."
The announcement signals a new commitment by The Business Council to vary the site of its annual meeting each year, Adams said. The 2008 annual meeting will be headquartered at the Adam's Mark Hotel.
"The Business Council is the chamber of commerce of New York State, with members in all 62 counties, and we are eager to move our annual meeting around the state to reach out to more members, more local businesses, and more state and local lawmakers," Adams said.
Adams emphasized that moving the event to Buffalo is consistent with The Business Council's mission of promoting economic development, especially Upstate. "We should leverage our annual meeting as an economic development event that showcases both economic challenges and opportunities in different regions of the state," he added.
Other leaders in the region and across the state welcomed the news.
"We're very pleased to be bringing one of the most important annual gatherings of New York's business and government
leaders to Buffalo," said Linda Sanford, senior vice president at IBM and co-chair of The Business Council.
"To build an innovation economy and a more prosperous future for
New York, we need to address the economic challenges in western New York and at the same time build upon the many
assets of the region. This meeting will help focus attention on both the needs and the opportunities."
"The Business Council uses this annual gathering to focus attention on opportunities for growth in all of New York State and challenges that must be met to take advantage of those opportunities," said Kirk Gregg, executive vice president and chief administrative officer for Corning Incorporated and co-chair of The Business Council. "Buffalo is a great venue for this gathering because it represents the industrial prowess that made this state the Empire State, because it shows the need for policy changes that much of the state needs to restore some of our lost luster, and because Buffalo clearly has attributes that can be the foundation of a lasting renaissance."
“We're pleased to welcome business leaders from across New York here to Buffalo, where we can showcase recent developments that are bringing new signs of life to our city – but where we must also demonstrate that we need changes and reforms in Albany to enable our city to reach its full potential,” said Robert G. Wilmers, chairman and CEO of M&T Bank, headquartered in Buffalo.
"It's wonderful news that the Business Council is holding its 2008 Annual Meeting in Buffalo." said Andrew J. Rudnick, president and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. "There is extensive new investment taking place in Buffalo Niagara and we look forward to sharing this resurgence with business leaders from throughout New York State. At the same time, this region—like many areas Upstate—faces significant challenges to growing its economy, and we anticipate insightful discussion among Business Council members on these and other important issues facing all New York employers."
"The Business Council's decision to bring its 2008 Annual Meeting to Buffalo couldn't come at a better time," said Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown. "Over the past two years we have witnessed over $4 billion in planned, ongoing or recently completed development projects, which demonstrate clearly that Buffalo is attracting the kind of interest and investment that is contributing to a new era of growth and development. I look forward to welcoming the Business Council members, showing them the positive strides we continue to make and discuss how we can manage existing challenges and take advantage of future opportunities."
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