Southern Governors’ Conference starts this weekend in Lexington

Press update (Attachment)
Sept. 6, 2001
Contact: Rusty Cheuvront /Terry Sebastian (502) 564-2611
SGA press office (859)-288-6154

Frankfort, KY - As the Southern Governors’ Association’s “Triple Crown” Conference starts in Lexington this weekend, the organization’s staff is issuing reminders to the attendees and media concerning registration, the agenda, live video streaming from Kentucky Educational Television (KET) and speaker availability for interviews.

The conference -- “The Triple Crown of the South's New Economy: Research, Development and Technology” - begins Saturday, Sept. 9 and ends Tuesday, Sept. 11 and will be held at the Marriott’s Griffin Gate Resort Hotel off Newtown Pike. The SGA staff and Governor Paul Patton’s communication’s office will be working with the media to cover the event.

IF YOU GO

8 There is no registration fee for media; however, media must be registered to receive credentials that permit access to the sessions and press conferences only. Please visit the SGA website: http://www.southerngovernors.org/ or Kentucky's website: http://sga.state.ky.us for registration and conference schedule information. You can also obtain press releases and photos following each SGA session on these websites.

8 There are two “social” events during the SGA conference -- “Kentucky Sampler and Bourbon Tasting” and “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.” These events are not open to the media; however, time will be blocked out for media coverage. To sign up for this time, please call the SGA press office (Susan Klimchak) at the Marriott at 859-288-6154.

8 For information on live video streaming, please visit the KET website: http://edit-www.ket.org/content/sga2001/

- 30 -

SGA ANNUAL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 9-11, 2001
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY
Revised Agenda - 8/15/01

Saturday, September 8

9:00-11:00 p.m. Blue Grass Welcome Reception

Sunday, September 9

8:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Golf Tournament -

Open to all conference registrants, this scramble tournament will begin with an 8:00 a.m. shot-gun start. Priority reservations are given to governors and sponsors. If interested in participating, email your name and handicap (for pairings only) to: sga@sso.org.

11:00-11:30 a.m. Opening Press Conference

11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. SGA Business Meeting

Governors will consider policy resolutions, set priorities for the year ahead and elect leaders for 2001-2002.

12:45-1:45 p.m. Governors-Only Brunch

2:00-3:00 p.m. Opening Session and Keynote Address

Alfred R. Berkeley III, Vice Chairman of NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc., will discuss the importance of investing in research and development for our future.

3:15-4:30 p.m. Plenary Session I: The Triple Crown of the South’s New Economy - Report of the Advisory Committee on Research, Development and Technology

As innovation, inspiration and invention will transform our lives in the 21st Century, well-known broadcast journalist Meryl Comer, in conjuction with the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for Innovation and Invention, will facilitate the discussion between several Nobel Laureates and the governors as they consider policy recommendations put forth by the advisory committee.

6:30-9:00 p.m. “Kentucky Sampler and Bourbon Tasting”

A casual evening of great food, entertainment and southern hospitality, bluegrass style, at the internationally-renowned Kentucky Horse Park.

Monday, September 10

7:30-9:30 a.m. Southern States Energy Board Annual Meeting & Breakfast

9:45-11:00 a.m. Plenary Session II: Building a Southern Powerhouse

Join governors and unversity presidents from throughout the South as they discuss their agendas for the region, commitment to enhancing the South’s research and development capacity, and specific initiatives to build this future.

11:15 a.m. -12:15 p.m. Plenary Session III: Powering the Future

SGA and the Southern States Energy Board are pleased to confirm that Vice President Dick Cheney will share his thoughts about energy policy in this country and related issues important for the South’s future.

12:30-2:00 p.m. “Front Row at the White House”

Helen Thomas has had an inside view on the making of history for four decades. Assigned by UPI to the White House Press Corps in 1961, she has questioned every president since John F. Kennedy, and has been among the pioneers who have broken down barriers against women correspondents in the national media. She will reflect on how history has shaped the presidency and our relationship to it.

2:00-3:00 p.m. Book Signing - Copies of Ms. Thomas’ recently-published book, “Front Row at the White House: My Life and Times” will be available for sale and signature.

2:30-4:30 p.m. Governors’ Only Meetings

6:00-9:30 p.m. “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” for the SGA annual state dinner and receptions. This premier, black-tie event, featuring fine dining and special entertainment, will be held at Keene Barn on the grounds of the Keeneland Race Course.

10:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. Louisiana Lagniappe

Join Governor M.J. “Mike” Foster, Jr., SGA chairman 2001-02, for this “little something extra” guaranteed to whet your appetite for SGA’s 2002 annual meeting in New Orleans.

Tuesday, September 11

7:30-9:30 a.m. Southern Growth Policies Board Meeting and Breakfast

9:45-10:45 a.m. Plenary Session IV: Southern Trailblazers

Rodney J. Carroll, President and CEO, the Welfare to Work Partnership, and Michael Dulan, President, Community Development Banking, Bank of America, will talk about the leadership roles that their organizations have taken in moving people from welfare to work and in adopting business practices that promote a stronger economy, from the bottom up.

11:00 a.m -12:00 p.m. Plenary Session V: New Chairman’s Initiative Incoming SGAChairman Governor M.J. “Mike” Foster, Jr. will launch his initiative focused on natural resources conservation with an address by Steve McCormick, President and CEO of The Nature Conservancy.

12:15-12:45 p.m. Closing Press Conference