Business Playbook (NC Chamber)
Mapping the Course for NC’s Business Success
North Carolina has risen from the 12th best state for business (ranking by CNBC) in 2013 to a top-3 state five years in a row. Continued success and sustainable growth will require intentionality and leadership. Convene with business leaders, government officials of all levels, and CNBC’s Scott Cohn to discuss critical focus areas for advancing the business climate in North Carolina, including protecting our legal climate, maintaining right-to-work status, keeping taxes low and fair, prioritizing workforce development, and investing in infrastructure.
Sessions will provide “inside baseball” of what goes into making North Carolina competitive both nationally and internationally, and how businesses can leverage this reputation while becoming a key player in advancing it.
Your participation in this event will further our collective commitment to fostering business excellence in the state and enhance collaboration to advance a strategic regional, national, and global competitive advantage for North Carolina.
Join us to help protect our status as a top state in the country for business!
Presented By
Agenda
Thursday, October 16
| 8:15 am | Registration & Networking Breakfast |
| 9:00 am | Welcome Remarks
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| 9:10 am | Fireside Chat: Future-Focused, Data-Driven: A Foundation for SuccessFormer Chair of the NC Chamber and current Chair of the NC Chamber Foundation Frank Holding, chairman and CEO of First Citizens Bank; and Chair of the NC Chamber Jule Smith, CEO of Construction Partners Inc., are two of North Carolina’s most respected business leaders. These native North Carolinians, who lead companies in sectors vital to our state’s economy, will share insights on leading through change and why long-term, business-driven strategies are essential to securing North Carolina’s future prosperity. This timely conversation between two CEOs will underscore the need to rise above short-term political cycles and stay focused on a bold, business-led vision for our state’s long-term growth.
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| 9:45 am | Panel Discussion: Winning the War for Talent: Two Fronts, One FightWorkforce isn’t one issue—it’s the issue. For ten straight years, North Carolina CEOs have named workforce as their #1 challenge. The question is: are we solving the root problems, or just reacting to the symptoms? Hear from a powerhouse panel that will articulate how North Carolina leaders are attacking the talent crisis from both ends:
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| 10:30 am | Networking Break |
| 11:00 am | Fireside Chat: A Culture of Collaboration: Reaching Across the Aisle and the StateIn a time of divisive politics, it is more important now than ever that we find ways to engage positively to keep North Carolina on top. Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger and Senator Dan Blue are no strangers to difficult conversations. Hear from them on how legislators put differences aside to advance North Carolina over the last decade – and what they expect to see on that front in the coming decade. President and CEO of the NC Chamber Gary Salamido, who enjoys a decades-long relationship with both leaders, will moderate the discussion.
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| 11:45 am | Lunch & Keynote Address: Playing to Win: America’s Top States for BusinessOur state’s business community has long looked to the CNBC Top States for Business ranking when measuring our competitiveness. Special Correspondent Scott Cohn leads that effort for CNBC and will join us to share what the Top States environment looks like, what he sees when he looks at North Carolina’s history on the ranking, and his insights on competing and operating in today’s economy and environment.
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| 1:15 pm | Panel Discussion: Powering Economic Security: Managing Energy Needs to Drive InvestmentEnergy is the foundation of economic growth and access to reliable, affordable energy is a top factor as companies consider industry automation and growth in North Carolina. As both industry and population continue to expand rapidly, managing the energy needs of communities across the state is increasingly more challenging. Energy leaders and their customers will discuss expectations, needs, and what North Carolina must do now to maintain its competitive advantage in this space. President of the NC Chamber Foundation and Senior Vice President of External Affairs Meredith Archie will moderate this timely discussion.
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| 2:00 pm | Featured Presentation: If You’re Not at the Table, You’re on the MenuAs both political parties become more populist and potentially hostile to business, employers and the interests of job creators must have a stronger voice during election season. This session led by experts presents the case for educating, influencing, and establishing accountability through political engagement and electioneering – and why business cannot afford to give up its seat.
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| 2:30 pm | Closing Remarks & Adjournment |
