Governor to speak at Kentucky manufacturing summit.

Press Release Summary:



Governor Steve Beshear has been confirmed as the keynote speaker at the ProsperousKentucky 2008 Manufacturing Summit in Frankfort on Monday, February 11. Kentucky's Economic Development Cabinet Secretary, John Hindman, will also address manufacturers, education, and government leaders at the 2nd annual summit and trade show. Other speakers include Sandra Wilson, Jeff McKenzie, Dr. Ken Troske, Mitch Skaggs, Carl Wicklund, and Randy Waldman.



Original Press Release:



Gov. Beshear to Headline Frankfort Manufacturing Summit February 11



Frankfort -- Gov. Steve Beshear has been confirmed as the keynote speaker at the ProsperousKentucky 2008 Manufacturing Summit in Frankfort on Monday, Feb. 11, according to Jim LeMaster, president and CEO of the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers.

Beshear headlines a "who's who" list of speakers representing Kentucky's top government officials, top corporate brands and manufacturing award-winning companies. Kentucky's Economic Development Cabinet Secretary, John Hindman, will also address hundreds of manufacturers, education and government leaders at KAM's second annual ProsperousKentuckySM Summit and Trade Show. Sandra Wilson, chairman of the board of the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers and Pubic Affairs Manager of NewPage Corporation, will emcee the event. Also expected to speak: Jeff McKenzie, CEO of Greenebaum, Doll & McDonald, Dr. Ken Troske, University of Kentucky, Mitch Skaggs, Director of Worldwide Operations of Valvoline, Carl Wicklund, Plant Manager, Wagstaff, Randy Waldman, President & CEO, Integrity Manufacturing.

"Competition in the global market is fierce, but Kentucky can out produce other low wage nations and can be very competitive with other states" KAM President and CEO Jim LeMaster. says. "It is essential we understand that lowering the costs for companies in Kentucky, such as lowering taxes, eliminating costly regulations, providing incentives for training and re-investment and doing a better job preparing our future workforce, are required if we want Kentucky manufacturing companies to continue to grow. At the Summit, we'll be telling our government officials what we need in order to thrive."

"We are going to work with our elected officials to see if we can't help our companies invest in new, high-speed production equipment, information technology and other capital projects," LeMaster says. "This will help them compete better in the global economy against low wage nations."

KAM is estimating 1000 Kentucky manufacturers will come to Frankfort on Monday, Feb. 11 to talk with elected officials about what they need from government to help Kentucky compete fairly in the global marketplace. Last year, at the inaugural ProsperousKentuckySM Summit and Trade Show, manufacturers heard mostly from elected officials and policymakers about what they were doing or would do to help promote manufacturing. This year, officials will hear from manufacturers about what they must have to sustain profitability in a brutally competitive environment.

How important is manufacturing to the Kentucky economy? According to the most recent economics data, manufacturing produces more than $26 billion - or 20 percent - of the state gross product. The next largest commercial segment, real estate produces only 9 percent.

The Summit and Trade Show are presented by Greenebaum Doll & McDonald. The event will be from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (including a lunch), followed by a capitol tour and general assembly session and an invitation-only legislative reception from 6 - 8 p.m.

For information about "ProsperousKentucky 2008," visit KAManufacturers.com or call (502) 352-2485.

About the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers

Established in 1911, KAM is the commonwealth's only manufacturing trade association. Our mission is to raise the prosperity of all Kentuckians by protecting and growing our state's economic engine: manufacturing. KAM proactively works with elected officials, policymakers, chambers of commerce, other associations, economic development experts, the news media, the general public and its own members to drive results through eight branded initiatives: ProsperousKentuckySM, ProductiveKentuckySM, FreedomKentuckySM, SmartKentuckySM, HealthyKentuckySM, HonestKentuckySM, CleanKentuckySM and MarketKentuckySM. Visit us on the web at KAManufacturers.com.

Contact: Martin Kish
(502) 352-2485
(859) 351-8420

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