Economic leadership forum starts Wednesday

COEUR d'ALENE - The regional economy in the Pacific Northwest states and Western Canada takes the spotlight at the 23rd annual Pacific Northwest Economic Region Economic Leadership Forum Nov. 14-17 at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

The forum is happening just two months after Gov. Butch Otter signed an executive order creating the PNWER Idaho Council, comprised of several legislators and key representatives of Idaho's business community, including Tom Power, president and CEO of Sunshine Minting Inc. and Ron Nilson, president and CEO of Ground Force Worldwide, both of Coeur d'Alene.

Keynote speakers at the forum will include Idaho Lt. Gov. Brad Little and a teleconference discussion with Sen. Mike Crapo.

Delegates from Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana in the U.S. and British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Yukon and Northwest Territories in Canada will be discussing key policy matters that drive the economic strength of the region.

Delegates will tour key manufacturing sites in Coeur d'Alene, including Sunshine Minting Inc., Ground Force Worldwide and Kootenai Technical Education Campus.

Info: www.pnwer.org/2012wintermeeting