Forbes
Roberts
CHARLESTON -- Steve Forbes, publisher of Forbes magazine and former Presidential candidate, will be the headline speaker at the W.Va. Chamber's 2009 Annual Meeting and West Virginia Business Summit.
Joining Forbes will be Gov. Joe Manchin, and both will provide remarks during the General Session on Thursday, Sept. 3.
Forbes is the editor-in-chief of Forbes business magazine as well as president and chief executive officer of its publisher, Forbes Inc. He also is a former presidential candidate in 1996 and 2000 and is a frequent national commentator on business, tax and economic issues.
The Chamber's annual meeting, which will be held Sept. 2-4 at The Greenbrier, is the largest gathering of business executives, managers and professionals from across the state. In addition, ten statewide organizations will be sponsors for this year's West Virginia Business Summit™, which is held at part of the Annual Meeting.
"We are so excited to have lined up Steve Forbes to speak at our Annual Meeting," Chamber President Steve Roberts said. "His perspectives on national economic issues and business news will be insightful and valuable to attendees."
Roberts said Forbes will be joined by Manchin, who will discuss West Virginia's economy and share his views on national issues involving energy, health care and education.
For the meeting's opening lunch on Sept. 2, Jim Justice, the new owner of The Greenbrier, will outline his plans to regain the resort's five-star rating and to offer new amenities, such as a casino with table games.
"Mr. Justice has injected new energy and excitement throughout The Greenbrier, and he has such as positive message about the resort's future," Roberts added. "We are so pleased that he will be with us and to share his passionate spirit as we start this year's gathering."
Other presentations planned for this year's annual meeting will cover topics in human resources, taxation, energy, government, tourism and West Virginia's courts.
"We are lining up another top-notch roster of presentations on timely business issues and matters, particularly those involving energy and health care," Roberts said. He said more details on these symposium presentations will be provided in the coming weeks.
Ten statewide organizations will be sponsors for this year's West Virginia Business Summit, which is held at part of the Annual Meeting.
Key hosts for this year's Annual Meeting will be:
* Presenting Host: Charles Ryan Associates
* Premier Host: Chesapeake Energy
* Grand Host: CONSOL Energy
* Executive Host: Huntington Bank
For additional information about the meeting, visit www.wvchamber.com.
As the state's largest, most influential general business organization, the West Virginia Chamber represents all business sectors in every region of the state, with more than 95 percent of its members being small businesses. The organization's 5,000-plus membership reach comes from its network relationships with 55 local chambers of commerce and dozens of statewide business and trade associations.