Registration Fee: $100 (Participants and Observers)
Date: May 19-20, 2016
Both Days: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Location: Marriott Pyramid North, 5151 San Francisco Rd NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109
Directions
Overview
A vibrant economy is perhaps the most sought after policy goal for our state. For this reason, New Mexico First will hold a statewide town hall on economic security and vitality to develop practical recommendations for the future. The event will focus on economic strategies that address the needs of small and large businesses – as well as low and middle-income families. The event will encourage participants to think creatively about strengthening the states’ economic health in ways that reach people from all walks of life.
This one-time event will bring together citizens for a two-day, consensus driven deliberation that will produce a concrete, actionable platform of recommendations on economic policy. Town hall participants will focus on key issues surrounding the economy in New Mexico:
- Our changing workforce, including opportunities for engaging "millennials" in the new economy
- Industry diversification & new business recruitment
- Advancing a friendly business climate and a culture of entrepreneurship
- New opportunities for rural and tribal development
- Economic stability for low and middle income families, including the role of the nonprofit sector on the state's economy
- The role of government in the economy, including government dollars and opportunities for public-private partnerships
Who Should Attend?
- Community members
- Business leaders
- Family and labor advocates
- Educators
- Tribal representatives
- Economic development planners
- Government professionals
- Youth
- Elected officials
What Happens at the Town Hall?
Our town halls are not typical conferences with a series of presentations. There will be a roundtable discussion and a keynote speaker to help set the context, but the bulk of the town hall is comprised of small group discussions among participants who care about the future of the state and want to create practical recommendations that will lead to progress.
Prior to the town hall, participants will receive a background report that will outline the key issues and serve as a basis for the discussions held during the town hall.
What Happens after the Town Hall?
The recommendations will not sit on a shelf. Immediately after the town hall, the New Mexico First Implementation Team will develop a plan to advance the town hall’s platform with policymakers.
Agenda
Day 1: May 19
| 8:30 | Check-in and Breakfast |
| 9:00 | Welcome and Overview |
| 9:30 | Roundtable Discussion |
| 10:45 | Town Hall Overview |
| 11:15 | Break |
| 11:30 | Small Group Overview |
| Noon | Keynote Presentation and Lunch |
| 1:00 | Small Group Discussion A |
| 2:45 | Break |
| 3:00 | Small Group Discussion B |
| 4:45 | Plenary Session: Group Recommendations |
| 5:00 | Adjourn |
Day 2: May 20
| 8:30 | Overview and Breakfast |
| 9:00 | Small Group Discussion C |
| 10:45 | Break |
| 11:15 | Small Group Discussion D: Recommendation Amendments |
| 1:30 | Presentation and Lunch |
| 2:30 | Plenary Session |
| 4:45 | Closing |
| 5:00 | Adjourn |
Speakers
Our deliberations are not typical conferences with a series of presentations. There will be a roundtable discussion and a keynote speaker to help set the context, but the bulk of the town hall is comprised of small group discussions among participants.
Welcome Address
- The Honorable Tom Udall, Senator, United State Senate (via video)
- The Honorable Martin Heinrich, Senator, United States Senate (via video)
Roundtable Discussion
- Jami Grindatto, President and CEO, Sandoval Economic Alliance
- Alvin Warren, Program Officer, W. K. Kellogg Foundation
- Davin Lopez, President and CEO, Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance
- Scott Miller, President and CEO, Circles USA
Town Hall Leadership
- Heather Balas, President and Plenary Co-Chair, New Mexico First
- Joan Drake, Chair, New Mexico First Board of Directors
- Valerie Romero-Leggott, Chair-elect, New Mexico First Board of Directors
- Kurt Steinhaus, Plenary Co-Chair, Los Alamos Public Schools Superintendent
Implementation Leadership
- Bill Garcia, Highland University Foundation, Implementation Team Co-chair
- Tom Taylor, 4 Corners Economic Development, Implementation Team Co-chair
Reports
Background Report
A New Mexico First Background report was produced for town hall participants. We ask that participants read the report before the town hall.
Access the report: Economic Security and Vitality for NM Town Hall Background Report
Final Report
Access the report: Economic Security and Vitality for NM Town Hall Final Report
Sponsors
We gratefully acknowledge the following sponsors who generously support this project.
Signature Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
Contributing Sponsors
Bernalillo County
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Bueno Foods
Central New Mexico Community College
Concho Resources
Eastern New Mexico University
Freeport-McMoRan
Laguna Development Corporation
Sandoval Regional Medical Center
University of New Mexico Hospital
Additional Sponsors
AARP of New Mexico
Christus St. Vincent Medical Center
Bernalillo County Commissioner Maggie Hart Stebbins
Southwest Capital Bank
Sutin, Thayer and Browne
UNM Health Sciences Center
