Conference Guide2015 MACE

Advocacy Alliance Policy Conference

November 4-5, 2015 - St. Louis Park, MN

Mid-AmericaChamber ExecutivesAdvocacy Alliance

Thank You Sponsors

Letter from the ChairDear colleague,

Welcome to the 2015 Regional Policy Conference in St. Louis Park, MN.

As chamber executives you represent business in your cities and states. Your work is often the difference between victory & defeat on policy battles being waged.

The purpose of this conference is to ensure that you are current on the latest issues facing the business community. As a result of our presentations by recognized speakers and policy experts we hope to provide you and your members with the tools, information and ideas to effectively advance a pro-growth agenda.

We hope this conference provides you with the resources you need as you lead the charge.

Ken Warner, ChairMid-America Chamber ExecutivesPresident, Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce

Conference Agenda(All meetings held in Terrace room 3-4)

Wednesday, November 4 Political Bootcamp7:30 am Registration 8:00 am Opening & Welcome Ken Warner, Chair - Mid-America Chamber Executives & President, Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce

8:10 am Keynote - Why is Political Engagement Necessary? Tim Penny, President/CEO, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), Former Democratic Congressman

8:30 am Political Tools & Legal Issues Mike Franklin, Attorney at Law, and Account Executive, Weber Johnson Public Affairs

9:15 am What Tools Do Chambers Use? Larry Dowell, Executive Director, MACE Results of the U.S. Chamber Survey of local chambers regarding government affairs and political tools.

9:45 am Facilitated Discussion with Experts in Each Area to Review Best Practices Doug Loon, President, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce - Moderator 1. Candidate Recruitment-Dave Baker Minnesota state representative 2. Endorsement Decision Making Process-Vicki Stute, President, Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce 3. Voting Records – Jon Godfread, Vice President of Government Affairs, Greater North Dakota State Chamber of Commerce 4. Debates – Teresa Bohnen , President, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce 5. Ballot Propositions – David Owen , President, South Dakota Chamber of Commerce 6. Fundraising – Greg Korstad, Volunteer, TwinWest Chamber PAC 7. Issue & Grassroots Advocacy & its Impact on Political Advocacy – Jim Pugh, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce

11:00 am Now What? Facilitated Discussion on What Are Logical Next Steps, Fears, How to Manage Successfully Scott Meske, Williston North Dakota Chamber of Commerce

11:00 am Registration Continues

11:25 am Adjourn 11:30 am Opening Luncheon, Sponsored by TransCanada/ Keystone XL Pipeline

Regional Policy ConferenceNoon Opening Remarks Ken Warner, Chair - Mid-America Chamber Executives & President, Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce

Evan Nolte, President of Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce & Chair of the MACE Advocacy Alliance Steering Committee

12:30 pm Canada and Mid America’s Trade and Economic Partnership Jamshed Merchant, Consulate General of Canada

1:30 pm Keystone XL Pipeline: The Need and the Lessons Tony Palmer, President, Keystone XL Pipeline 2:15 pm Break

2:30 pm Regulatory Panel Discussion John Kirchner, U.S. Chamber of Commerce - Moderator A panel discussion on current regulatory environment, state and federal policy solutions to ensure our economy moves forward without regulatory nightmares. - Frank Ongaro, Executive Director, Mining Minnesota Association - Keith Holman, Senior Regulatory Counsel, U.S. Chamber of Commerce - Kelvin Hullet, President, Bismarck/Mandan Chamber of Commerce

3:30 pm Transportation Panel Andy Peterson, President, Greater North Dakota Chamber of Commerce- Moderator - Midwest Rail Association: Brian Sweeney, Burlington Northern Sante Fe - Highway Trust Fund & Map 21 Issues: Andy Burmeister, Lockridge, Grindal, Nauen - Air Service: Shawn Dobberstein, Executive Director, Hector (Fargo) Airport - Waterways: Jason Culotta, Director of Tax & Transportation Policy, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce 4:30 pm Adjourn

Reception/Dinner5:00 - 6:20 pm Reception - Rojo at the West End Remarks from our Sponsor - John Swanson - Enbridge

6:30 pm Group Dinner at the Loop Restaurant Sponsored by Enbridge Entertainment options following dnner [on your own]: Movies, shopping, pubs and more all within walking distance of the hotel

Thursday, November 57:00 am Breakfast

7:45 am How National Resources, Transportation and the Regulatory Environment Shape the Economic Prosperity of our Region Toby Madden, Power Parametrics

8:30 am Fuel Sources for Electric Generation Mark Stoering, President, Northern States Power - Wisconsin, an Xcel Energy company

9:30 am Panel on All of the Above Fuel Sources Robin Anderson, President/CEO, Mason City Chamber of Commerce - Moderator - Joel Johnson, Director, Coalition for a Secure Energy Future - Doug Fredrickson, Blattner Energy

10:30 am Break

10:45 am Conference Wrap Up - Facilitated Discussion and Future Direction of Alliance Activities Facilitated by Mark Lee, Public Affairs & Communications Director, Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

11:30 am Closing Comments

Evan Nolte, President & CEO, Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce 11:45 am Adjourn**Note to MACE Board Members - The Board Meeting begins at noon in Terrace Room 1 and will adjourn no later than 3:00pm.

SpeakersKen Warner

Warner is President of the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & Chair of the Mid-America Chamber Executives.

Tim Penny

Penny served in the MN Senate from 1976-82 & the U.S. House of Representatives from 1982-94. In 2007 he assumed the position of President/CEO of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF).

Mike Franklin

Franklin is a Minnesota Government Affairs professional & attorney with Weber Johnson Public Affairs.

Larry Dowell

Dowell founded Dowell Management in 2007 after nearly 30 years in organizational management within the Chamber of Commerce industry.

Doug Loon

Loon is President of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, a position he has held since September 8, 2015. Prior to assuming leadership of the Minnesota Chamber, he spent 20 years at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.Dave Baker

Baker serves in the Minnesota House of Representatives, District 17B and owns Baker Hospitalities which owns and operates three properties.

Vicki Stute

Stute is the President of the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce and has 20+ years of chamber experience having served 4 chambers prior to accepting the leadership position at the Dakota County Regional Chamber.

Jon Godfread

Godfread is Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the Greater North Dakota Chamber of Commerce. He is the liaison between the North Dakota Legislature and the state’s business community.Teresa Bohnen

Bohnen is President of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce and during her tenure the Chamber has earned national and state recognition.

David Owen

Owen began his chamber work in Aberdeen, South Dakota and after serving at four additional chambers he accepted the position of President of the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1998.

Greg Korstad

Korstad has been involved in government affairs activities at the TwinWest Chamber since the late 80’s. He serves on their PAC board and helped develop the Business Advocacy Fund.

Jim Pugh

Pugh is Vice President & Treasurer of the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Issues Mobilization Council.

Scott Meske

Meske has been President of the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce since 2014 after more than 30 years as a non-profit executive, lobbyist, media relations professional and communications expert.Evan Nolte

Nolte is President & CEO of the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and also serves as Co-President Of Forward Sioux Falls, an economic development program initiative.

Jamshed Merchant

Merchant has been Canada’s Consul General in Minneapolis since 2012. He is Canada’s senior representative for the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Tony Palmer

Palmer is President, Prince Rupert Gas Transmission & President of Keystone XL Pipeline. Tony has over 30 year experience at TransCanada.

John Kirchner

Kirchner serves the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as Manager, Congressional & Public Affairs for the Midwest region. John helps develop and implement the Chamber’s grassroots legislative and political activities in the Midwest Region.Frank Ongaro

Ongaro has been Executive Director of MiningMinnesota since 2006 and serves as their chief spokesperson.

Keith Holman

Holman serves as the senior policy counsel and Managing Director to the Environment, Technology, and Regulatory Affairs Division at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Kelvin Hullet

Hullet has been President of the Bismarck/ Mandan Chamber of Commerce since 2003. Kelvin currently serves on the U.S. Chamber’s Committee of 100 and their Energy & Environment Committee.Andy Peterson

Peterson is President & CEO of the Greater North Dakota Chamber. He has served in that position since October 2010. Prior to his current position, Andy served as the Director of Public Policy for the Duluth Area Chamber for 12 years.

Brian Sweeney

Sweeney is the Regional AVP State Government Affairs for Burlington Northern Santa Fe and is responsible for their government affairs program in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Andy Burmeister

Burmeister is a Capitol Hill veteran and works for Lockridge, Grindal Nauen. Prior to joining the law firm, Andy worked on Senator Norm Coleman’s staff.

Shawn Dobberstein

Dobberstein is the Executive Director of the Hector (Fargo) airport. He was appointed Executive Director in 1997.

Jason Culotta

Culotta is Director of Tax & Transportation Policy at Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. Jason serves as a board member of the Wisconsin Transportation Development Association and the Wisconsin Central Group.John Swanson

Swanson is the Vice President of Enbridge’s U.S. Major Projects Execution. John leads a team of Major Project directors in the development and execution of $6 Billion in Enbridge infrastructure projects throughout the U.S. Toby Madden

Madden joined the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank in 1995 as a management analyst and retired as the regional economist in the Public Affairs Department. He now is with Power Parametrics, and an author.Mark Stoering

Stoering is President of NSP-Wisconsin, an Xcel Energy Company. Previously he served as Xcel’s Vice President, Portfolio Strategy and Business Development in Minneapolis.

Robin Anderson

Anderson has served as President/CEO of the Mason City Iowa Chamber of Commerce since 2001. A 20 year veteran of the banking industry, she is a former President with the Bank of America in the Mason City/Clear Lake market.Joel Johnson

Johnson serves as the Director of the Minnesota Coalition for a Secure Energy Future, an organization funded by the Lignite Energy Council. Joel advocates on behalf of an All-of-the-Above energy policy.Doug Fredrickson

Fredrickson is Vice President of Operations for Blattner Energy, an EPC contractor providing power generation construction. They are also a leader in renewable energy.

Mark Lee

Lee has served as the Sioux Falls Area Chamber’s Public Affairs and Communications Director since 2013. His department is responsible for all governmental relations activities, communications and marketing.

Advocacy Alliance PrinciplesTransportationStatement of principles: The Mid-America Chamber Executives Advocacy Alliance believes in advancing our multimodal infrastructure system to support the efficient, safe transportation of goods, services and employees across the region. We know that a sound transportation system must involve a cohesive and balanced approach that utilizes all modes of transportation—roads, bridges, interstate highways, airports, railroads, inland waterways, transmission lines and pipelines. The Advocacy Alliance stands ready to advocate for funding that is predictable, sustainable and reasonable; and does not favor one business or industry over another. We promote timely utilization of new technologies, reasonable regulatory oversight and efficient and speedy permitting. The Advocacy Alliance believes in supporting transportation policy that drives economic development, enhances business, and protects the environment and our quality of life.

EnergyStatement of Principles: The Mid-America Chamber Executives Advocacy Alliance believes in the potential of our abundant energy resources for the economic benefit of the region. We support a common sense strategy to keep our country secure through safe, affordable, reliable extraction and transportation. Our region has the opportunity to help our country become energy independent and bring an economic renaissance to our communities and states. All states in the region stand to benefit from direct and indirect investment in affordable energy and ensuring regulatory certainty to leverage the development of the region’s diverse portfolio of energy resources. We will advocate at the local, state and federal level in support of a fair regulatory process, supportive tax policy, efficient infrastructure systems to quickly move commodities, and in support of the industries that provide the workers, technology and raw materials.

Natural ResourcesStatement of Principles: The Mid-America Chamber Executives Advocacy Alliance believes in protecting and promoting our precious natural resources that make our region unique and highly valuable. From vast agriculture and agribusinesses; water; forestry; oil, gas, and coal reserves; gold, iron ore, non-ferrous minerals, and silica sand mining operations; wind, solar and renewable fuels industries - the Mid-America region offers abundant opportunities for safe and responsible development of these resources. Every state in the region shares in these resources and believes the development of them benefit the entire region and our nation through economic investment and job creation. We believe through balanced government oversight, a reliable and predictable regulatory system these natural resources can be farmed, mined, quarried, accessed and fostered for the benefit of generations to come. We will advocate in support of efficient and appropriate regulatory, legal and tax systems that protect and advance these resources and goals.

Thank you

Vicki Stute, Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce (chair)

Teresa Bohnen, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

John Kirchner, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Mike Lynch, Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

Bob McCoy, Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce

Deb McMillan, TwinWest Chamber of Commerce

Scott Meske, Williston Area Chamber of Commerce

Advocacy Alliance Steering Committee

Evan Nolte, Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce (chair)

Robin Anderson, Mason City Area Chamber of Commerce

Susan Daou, Greater North Dakota Chamber of Commerce

Larry Dowell, Dowell Management & Executive Director of MACE

Kelvin Hullet, Bismarck/Mandan Chamber of Commerce

Jamie Karl, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry

John Kirchner, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Mark Lee, Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

Mike Lynch, Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

Deb McMillan, TwinWest Chamber of Commerce

David Minor, Superior Chamber of Commerce

Andy Peterson, Greater North Dakota Chamber of Commerce

Vicki Stute, Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce

Policy Conference Planning Task Force Members

MACE Board of DirectorsKen Warner (Chair) - Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce

Robin Anderson - Mason City Area Chamber of Commerce

Melinda Behn - Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce

Mary Anne Boyd - South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Jennifer Byers - Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

Bill Campbell - Spencer Chamber of Commerce

Susan Daou - North Dakota Chamber of Commerce Executives

Larry Dowell - Dowell Management

Darren Dunlop - The Chamber Fargo Moorhead West Fargo

Blake Fry - Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau

Kelvin Hullet - Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce

Lynn Kendall - Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce

Barry Kennedy - Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry Executives

John Kirchner - U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Tara Lea - Ralston Area Chamber of Commerce

Vicki Markussen - LaCrosse Chamber of Commerce

Deb McMillan - TwinWest Chamber of Commerce

David Minor - The Chamber & Visitors Bureau – Superior Wisconsin

Sonya Moller - Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce

Jim Morgan - Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce

Evan Nolte - Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

Shar Pardubsky - Iowa Chamber of Commerce Executives

Sharyle Sands - Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce

Carmen Schramm - Yankton Area Chamber of Commerce

Dee Schutte - Litchfield Chamber of Commerce

Becky Thatcher-Keller - Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce

Lori Warner - South Sioux City Chamber of Commerce

Compensation & Benefits Survey

MACE conducts a biennial survey of chambers to assess industry salary and benefit norms. Data from the survey provides important information on the chamber industry in the Midwest and helps establish best practices in the region.

Be watching for the next MACE Compensation & Benefits Survey in January of 2016!

IL 20%WI 26%

IA 19%8

MN 23%NE 6%

ND 3%

SD 4%

56

496

42

1240

Questions? Contact:Jake Ganser, Dowell Managementjake@dowelmgmt.com | 651-300-6585

www.MidAmericaChamberExecutives.com

380 Jackson St. Suite 287St. Paul, MN 55101

info@midamericachamberexecutives.com | (612) 564-9551

2015 MACE

Advocacy Alliance Policy Conference

November 4-5, 2015 - St. Louis Park, MN

Mid-AmericaChamber ExecutivesAdvocacy Alliance