08.24.12

Hoeven Announces Agenda for the State of Technology Conference in Fargo

Conference to Feature Red River Valley Business Leaders, Technology Experts

FARGO, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today announced the agenda for The State of Technology: The Next Generation of Jobs in North Dakota, a business technology conference featuring keynote addresses by Doug Burgum, founder of Great Plains Software, and Google executive Jeff Davis. The conference will be held September 6, 2012 at the Holiday Inn of Fargo. Hoeven and the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce are hosting the forum to highlight technological innovations in North Dakota’s key industries and to help the state’s businesses find ways to use technology to grow and increase success.

“Technology is already playing an important role in our state’s growing, more diversified economy,” said Hoeven. “The State of Technology conference highlights the innovative ways our state’s businesses are using technology to succeed and will help us to stay at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies that will help to expand our economy and create good jobs for our people.”

Local entrepreneur and luncheon keynote speaker Doug Burgum will highlight how North Dakota can position itself to be a frontrunner in both business and in creating the jobs of the future. Afternoon keynote speaker Jeff Davis, an executive with Google’s business services arm, will provide insights on the next wave of technology products that will drive and empower business and commerce. The conference also features two panel discussions: the first, led by North Dakota State University President Dean Bresciani, will identify ways to remain competitive in a technology dependent economy. The next panel, led by Appareo Systems CEO Barry Batcheller, will highlight leading regional business leaders from Packet Digital, John Deere, Aldevron and Intelligent InSites, who will demonstrate how these businesses utilize technologies to drive growth. The conference will end with a social hour and demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies.

To register for the event, please visit: www.fmwfchamber.com or call (218) 223-1100.

The full schedule is as follows:

12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Welcome Message

  • Craig Whitney; Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce President/CEO
  • Senator John Hoeven

Luncheon Keynote

  • Doug Burgum

1:45 to 2:45 p.m. Preparing for Tomorrow’s Opportunities

Regional and national experts share innovative initiatives for remaining competitive in the high technology economy.

  • Moderator: Dean Bresciani; North Dakota State University President
  • STEM Education: Caroline McEnnis; Director of Design Engineering Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM
  • A Comprehensive Immigration Policy; A key to the U.S. Competing Globally, Don Morton; Senior Director, Microsoft

3:00 to 3:45 p.m. Afternoon Keynote, A Look Into the Future of Jobs and Technology

  • Jeff Davis; Google, CIO of Google Enterprise

4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Local Drivers of Next Generation Jobs

Top leaders of regional companies highlight their innovative businesses and share how they are using technology to drive business growth and industry change in the region.

  • Moderator: Barry Batcheller, Appareo Systems CEO
  • Tom Budan; John Deere Electronic Solutions General Manager
  • Michael Chambers; Aldevron President/CEO
  • Jim Traynor; Intelligent InSites Director of Client/Channel Management
  • Joel Jorgenson; Packet Digital CEO

5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Technology Demonstrations and Social

See the next generation of jobs in action as companies demonstrate cutting-edge technologies.