On Wednesday, October 23, business leaders will have the opportunity to connect and hear directly from elected officials on issues that impact their business, learn how to better navigate government complexity, and facilitate connections with key stakeholders at the Columbus Chamber’s Business Drives Government day.
Helping small business owners navigate the world of government, the event features breakout sessions that will dig into the upcoming election, take a deep dive into opportunity zones, and more.
“Every person from every industry can benefit from attending Business Drives Government,” says the Columbus Chamber. “The programming is carefully planned to ensure that every member of our business community can identify valuable takeaways.”
Business Drives Government breakout sessions include:
The Role of Public Policy Making in Fostering a Competitive Advantage for the Region
Panelists will discuss the Columbus region’s projected growth and the need for public policies to keep pace to maintain and improve the area’s competitive advantage. Panelists include:
- Bill LaFayette, Regionomics LLC (Moderator)
- Kenny McDonald, One Columbus
- Shayla Favor, Columbus City Council Member
- Megan Kilgore, City Auditor
Substance Abuse in the Workplace and Evolving Public Policy Issues
How does the opioid epidemic impact the region’s tight labor market? This breakout session will outline public policy solutions for addressing the impact of Ohio’s medical marijuana program on businesses, and discuss criminal justice reforms and reentry initiatives to help more Ohioans rejoin the workforce. Panelists include:
- Chad Jester, Nationwide (Moderator)
- Dr. Terrence Welsh, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
Game of Zones: Opportunities for Businesses to Take Advantage of a New Tax Incentive
This breakout will take a deep dive into the federal opportunity zone program created under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and the state incentive recently enacted by the Ohio General Assembly under H.B. 166, and discuss how businesses spanning various industries can engage with and potentially utilize opportunity zones to make long-term investments in their businesses and the community. Speakers include:
- Mike Flowers, Steptoe & Johnson LLP (Moderator)
- Darci Congrove, GBQ
- Erin Herbst, Kegler Brown
- Catherine Lyons, Economic Innovation Group
- Mark Lundine, City of Columbus Department of Development
Political Engagement: Looking Ahead to 2020 and the Pivotal Role of the Business Vote
During this session, a panel of politically savvy experts will prep attendees for the contentious 2020 election season, discuss the importance of gathering accurate Census data to ensure the state’s representation in Congress and receipt of federal funding, and highlight ways for the business community to effectively participate in the political process to ensure their voice is heard. Panelists include:
- Derrick Clay, New Visions Group (Moderator)
- Doug Murray, City of Columbus
- David Pepper, Ohio Democratic Party
The lunch program will be headlined by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose with information to follow on his presentation.
The Chamber’s annual event helps small business owners understand how to exercise their voice in political matters.
“Navigating the world of government can seem overwhelming for members of our business community, especially those who are small business owners and/or entrepreneurs,” says the Columbus Chamber. “However, it is critical that our businesses are fostering relationships with elected officials and key stakeholders at the local, state and federal levels of government…Every business should be invested in public policy and know how to best participate in the political process to ensure their voice is heard.”
Programming begins with a welcome and general session from 8:30 – 10 a.m., followed by a breakout session of the attendee’s choice from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Programming concludes with the lunch presentation from 11:45 a.m. – 1: 15 p.m.
Individual registration is $129 for Columbus Chamber members and $159 for non-members. Tables of 10 are also available for purchase at $949 for members and $1,249 for non-members. Attendees can register here.
For more information, visit columbus.org/government-day.
— Find more upcoming Chamber events at columbus.org/resources/events. The Columbus Chamber of Commerce offers news, information and other resources that are free and available to all businesses at columbus.org. —
