In March, the Claremore Industrial Economic Development Authority is partnering with the Rogers State University Innovation Center to host the Claremore Area Manufacturer’s Summit.

The Summit, “by manufacturers, for manufacturers,’ will take place at the Claremore Community Center. “It will be a day of learning and networking that will give manufacturing executives and employees an opportunity to learn what will keep them competitive, innovative and ready to change,” said Mike Strotheide, chief executive officer, CIEDA.

Coordinator for the March 23 event is CIEDA manager of Business Development Tim Hight who has worked with members of the Claremore Manufacturer’s Roundtable to design an event that meets the changing needs of industry leaders in Rogers and Mayes County.

Top speakers, both state and national, will lead discussion and learning sessions in the morning and afternoon, followed by a VIP/sponsor reception and banquet.

Keynote banquet speaker will be national economic and financial expert, Jeff Thredgold. He is president of Thredgold Economic Associates, an economic consulting and professional speaking company based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Thredgold has appeared dozens of times on CNBC-TV and CNN and is regularly quoted in the nation’s financial press. He is a monthly contributor for the national publication Blue Chip Financial Forecasts and quarterly USA TODAY economic forecast surveys. He writes a weekly economic and financial newsletter, Tea Leaf.

Other speakers throughout the event will include:

Dr. Roger Randle, former Tulsa mayor, state senator and current director of the University of Oklahoma’s Center for Global Culture. He will lead a session on competing in the global marketplace.

Dr. Larry Hoberock, director of the OSU New Product Development Center and 2005 UEDA National Award recipient for Excellence in Technology Commercialization will talk about how to make your R&D function a profit center. Dr. Robert Tett, University of Tulsa professor and industrial psychology expert will lead discussion on best practices in employee motivation.

Lisa Clark, rural development specialist with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and former Muskogee Development executive director, offers tools and strategies for financing growing and expanding business in rural Oklahoma.

Dale Kunneman, human resources director for Centrilift, will offer strategies for hiring top talent. Bill Webb, Sebotek Technology, human resources director, 2005 State Society of Human Resources State Council director and OSU Tulsa professor, will offer five musts in training.

“Participants will learn about manufacturing innovation and gain insights into Claremore and the surrounding area’s economic future,” Hight said.

Information and registration
CIEDA/RSU Innovation Center
341-4755 or e-mail thight@claremoredevelopment.com