June
2007 Newsletter
1.
From the Chair: Passing the torch
Public Policy
2. New revenue forecast allows increase in
higher education funding
3. Alliance delegation lobbies in DC
Communications
4. How is your business distinguishing Portland?
5. Summer sale: Portland DVD half off
Downtown
6. Stay downtown for some "retail therapy"
Events
7. Forum: Vote with the Pros
8. Cornerstones for Success: Business Succession
Planning
9. Jump-start your membership!
Economic News
10. Unemployment numbers drop to 2000 levels
Member News
11. Rose Festival kicks off with parade,
fireworks
12. Nanoscience conference focuses on product
development
13. Oregon State Bar seeks members for
governing board and statewide committees
14. Local arts and culture organizations
generate millions in economic activity
15. June Fitness Tip: Healthy Jet Setting
16. Upcoming Meetings
1. From
the Chair: Passing the torch
By
Judy Peppler, Chair, Alliance Board of Directors
As I finish
up my term as the chair of the Alliance Board of Directors,
I look at what we've accomplished over the past year and am
proud to say that the Alliance is stronger than ever.
In the
past 12 months, we've seen tax relief, solutions to the school
funding crisis, and new policies that make this region better
than ever. We forged partnerships, had some major wins on
behalf of our members, and improved the overall climate for
business in the Portland area.
There
is more work ahead, though, and I feel confident that I am
leaving things in good hands. On July 1, local business leader
Sam Brooks will begin his term as Board chair. Sam is the
president and chairman of S. Brooks and Associates, and a
founder of Oregon Association Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME).
When I came to Portland seven years ago, Sam topped the list
of people I was advised to meet quickly if I really wanted
to know Portland. He has been a part of the Portland business
community for decades and his passion for Portland - and Portland's
small businesses - is unmatched.
The next
year will have challenges, but the Alliance, its Board of
Directors, the staff, and, most of all, the members will undoubtedly
work through them and lead the way for building a stronger
Portland region.
Thank
you for the opportunity to serve as your 2006/2007 chair.
It has been an honor. I had the opportunity to meet many of
you in person, and learn about your businesses. Our region
is very lucky to have a diverse business community, with leaders
who are dedicated to building a strong community. I have enjoyed
working with you and for you. Remember, together we can make
a difference.
Public
Policy
2. New
revenue forecast allows increase in higher education funding
In May
Oregon's colleges and universities received good news. With
the state's new revenue projection including an extra $152
million to spend in its next two-year budget, higher education
is at the top of the list for more funds.
"The Ways
and Means Committee has made great progress funding higher
education operations," said Bernie Bottomly, Alliance Vice
President of Government Relations and Economic Development.
"The budget is not yet finalized and, before the end of the
session, we hope the co-chairs will find additional resources
to address the capital construction and deferred maintenance
needs and plus up funding for special programs and engineering."
Higher
education was a key part of the Alliance's legislative agenda
this session, with many local businesses finding workforce
issues a growing problem. More resources for higher education
is important for economic development and means more skilled
workers will be available for Oregon companies.
According
to The Oregonian, the state's budget writers plan to
allocate approximately 75 percent of the revised revenue forecast
to community colleges and Oregon's seven public universities.
3. Alliance
delegation lobbies in DC
 On
May 3 through 5, a delegation of approximately 35 business
and government leaders from throughout the state traveled
to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of Congress, including
Representatives DeFazio, Walden, Hooley, Baird, Wu and Blumenauer,
and Senators Smith and Wyden. The delegation also visited
the White House to speak with Assistant Secretary for Transportation
Policy Tyler Duval, Special Assistant to the President for
Congressional Affairs Sean O'Hollaren, and Assistant Secretary
for Export Administration Christopher Padilla.
Nationally
recognized political pundit Charlie Cook spoke to the group
about the upcoming presidential election. Joining the trip
for the first time this year were Ben Fetherston Jr., Chairman
of the Board of Associated Oregon Industries as well as AOI
President Jay Clemens.
Transportation
was an important topic for members of congress and the administration,
with emphasis on the decreasing amount of federal funding
available to support local projects and the need to be strategic
when identifying projects.
Assistant
Secretary Duvall commended the Cost of Congestion study, which
was spearheaded by the Alliance, Metro and Port of Portland.
Duvall called it an exemplary report that has been shared
within the administration and with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
and informed the national Congestion Reduction Strategy.
Energy
independence and global warming were also hot topics. Potential
cap and trade regulations are being discussed and a bill is
expected later this year. Healthcare, as well as the current
state of entitlement programs (the present value of which
is $56 trillion), workforce programs and foreign trade policy
were also topic discussed at the meetings.
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Communications
4. How
is your business distinguishing Portland?
Is your
business working to make the region a better place? Does your
company incorporate innovate business practices that are designed
to improve the quality of life for people living in our community?
Now is your chance to tell your story. The Alliance is looking
for the stories of businesses around the region, including
the ways in which employers support sustainability, community
investment, and global vision. Tell your story at www.portlandalliance.com/story.
A video
featuring local businesses that are making extraordinary contributions
to the community through sustainable business practices is
now available online at www.portlandalliance.com/story.
5. Summer
sale: Portland DVD half off
 Looking
for a way to attract potential employees with all the wonderful
things Portland has to offer? Have family or friends that
are coming to Portland and want to give them a preview? "Portland
Oregon - America's best place to live, work & play," a DVD
highlighting Portland's many attractions, is now on sale for
$7.50 (regularly priced $15).
This informational
DVD highlights the region's best qualities, including its
many attractions such as beautiful scenery, convenient public
transit, exciting events and festivals, and unique shops and
restaurants.
Go to
the Alliance
online store or call 503.224.8684 today to get this DVD
for only $7.50.
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Downtown
Services
6. Stay
downtown for some "retail therapy"
 Now
there is another reason to spend your evening in downtown
Portland. Retail Therapy - where First Thursday meets Blue
Light Special - kicks off on June 21. This summer, every third
Thursday of the month will be a chance for shoppers to experience
the many great downtown retailers and restaurants as they
stay open later with special promotions such as trunk shows
and other events.
Check
out the kickoff of Retail Therapy on Thursday, June 21, from
5 to 8 p.m. For a list of participating retailers and restaurants
downtown, go to www.downtownportland.org.
Back
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Events
7. Forum:
Vote with the Pros
June
20, 7:30 a.m.
Governor Hotel, 614 SW 11th Avenue
Go head-to-head
with political pros on the key issues addressed by the 2007
session of the Oregon legislature and see how your vote compares
to theirs. Political analyst Len Bergstein of Northwest Strategies,
John DiLorenzo Jr., partner at Davis, Wright, Tremaine, and
Bill Lunch, chair of the Political Science Department at Oregon
State University, will review this session's hot issues. Real-time
feedback technology from MSInteractive will be used to help
facilitate the discussion and provide you with an opportunity
to vote with the pros.
Event
Sponsor: Portland
Downtown Services, Inc.
Series
Sponsors: The
ODS Companies and Portland
Tribune
8. Cornerstones
for Success: Business Succession Planning
June
7, 4 p.m.
200 SW Market, Lobby Level Conference Room
Business
succession planning: Seven steps to leaving your business
on your terms At some point, every owner leaves his or her
business-voluntarily or otherwise. Business succession planning
addresses the necessary legal, tax and financial concerns
so you can leave your business on your terms. Learn to determine
the value of your business, sell to family, management, or
an outside party, and implement strategies for preserving
wealth. Enjoy networking and appetizers after the presentation.
Series
Sponsors: West
Coast Bank and Regence
9. Jump-start
your membership!
Reception
for all Alliance members and prospective members
June 14, 4:30 p.m.
200 SW Market, Lobby Level Conference Room
FREE event
Here's an opportunity for all Alliance members to learn about
the many benefits of membership and to connect with potential
new customers and clients. The evening includes 30 minutes
of networking, a short presentation by the staff about the
many opportunities to be involved at Alliance through committee
membership, events, or other programs.
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Economic
News
10. Unemployment
numbers drop to 2000 levels
The number
of unemployed Portland-area residents fell to 54,600 in April
- the lowest April level since 2000. The Portland metro area's
seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in April
compared with 5.0 percent in March. The state's rate was 5.1
percent, while the nation's was 4.4 percent.
Seasonally-adjusted
nonfarm employment was flat over the month following a gain
of 1,600 in March. Over the past year, area businesses have
added 18,800 new jobs (+1.9 percent) across all major sectors
of the economy.
Source:
Amy Vander Vliet, Regional Economist, Oregon Employment Department
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Member
News
11. Rose
Festival kicks off with parade, fireworks
Last week
the Rose Festival kicked off its centennial anniversary festival,
with a parade through downtown to open the WaMu Waterfront
Village and the Starlight Parade and fireworks.
This year's
festival celebrates 100 years of tradition, innovation and
celebration in the Portland community. The festival will include
special gala affairs, dynamic new programming and more magical,
phenomenal, fantastical spectacles than ever before. Find
out more at www.rosefestival.org.
12. Nanoscience
conference focuses on product development
September
10-12, 2007
Doubletree Hotel and Executive Meeting Center
Lloyd Center Portland
This event
brings together leaders to focus on development of micro and
nano technology for new products. Attendees will share ideas
and findings, build collaborative networks, participate in
working groups, exhibit commercial technologies and services,
and help set agendas for developing new microproducts.
This event
is aimed at engineers, policy makers, venture capitalists,
legislators, administrators, and anyone involved in the transformation
from discovery and development to commercialization of products.
For more
information, go to http://oregonstate.edu/conferences/MNBC/.
13. Oregon
State Bar seeks members for governing board and statewide
committees
The Oregon
State Bar is seeking public (i.e., non-lawyer) members for
its Board of Governors, and several other committees and boards.
The OSB regulates the practice of law in Oregon, and provides
numerous public services to enhance the state's justice system,
and to help the public understand and access the system.
Opportunities
include one Board of Governors (BOG) position, as well as
appointments to several groups that administer the state's
system of lawyer discipline. Additionally, there are positions
open on the House of Delegates, the Disciplinary Board, and
the Unlawful Practice of Law, Fee Arbitration, and Quality
of Life Committees.
Application
forms, due Friday June 22, and details about open positions
are available at www.osbar.org,
or at 503.620.0222, ext. 426, or 800.452.8260, ext. 426. Questions
can also be emailed to dedwards@osbar.org.
14. Local
arts and culture organizations generate millions in economic
activity
According
to a new national study, 111 arts and culture organizations
in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties collectively
generated more than $318 million in local economic activity
and supported more than 10,300 local, full-time equivalent
jobs in fiscal year 2006.
Those
organizations pumped over $166 million directly into the local
economy in the form of employee wages, purchase of supplies
and services, and acquisition of assets. Their audiences generated
another $151 million of commerce with restaurant, hotel, parking
and other expenditures related to attending arts or cultural
events (not counting ticket purchases).
Details
of the study, prepared by Americans for the Arts, were released
on June 6 by the Regional Arts & Culture Council and Northwest
Business for Culture & the Arts.
"With
its analytic approach and focus on measurable results, this
study provides important, credible information about one means
of increasing the economic vitality of our community," said
Judy Peppler, president of Qwest Oregon and chair of the Portland
Business Alliance. "Our Regional Business Plan calls for capitalizing
on our distinctive economic assets. Supporting the nonprofit
arts and culture industry is one effective way to do that."
The
Arts & Economic Prosperity III report for the Portland metro
area is available at www.racc.org.
15. June
Fitness Tip: Healthy Jet Setting
Although
business travel is a reality for a lot of us, it's not an
excuse to completely neglect your health. Fortunately, there
are a number of easy techniques to keep your health and fitness
a priority when your days are spent away from home and out
of your routine. This month, we'll focus on activity while
traveling. Next month, we'll focus on nutrition while traveling.
Plan
ahead: When staying at a hotel, always be sure to book
one that offers a hotel health club or is within walking distance
of a gym.
En
route: In flight be sure to get up regularly and walk
around, at least every 30 minutes, to enhance blood flow and
minimize muscular and joint stiffness. If you're driving,
make frequent pit stops just to get out of the car and move
a bit - you'll feel more refreshed when you arrive at your
destination. If switching time zones, as soon as you get on
the plane, adjust your clock to your destination time. Some
studies have shown this will help you to adjust and will minimize
jet lag.
Light
workout: When you arrive at your destination, if the timing
is appropriate, plan to do a light, easy intensity workout.
When you finish, you'll feel like a million bucks. Any signs
of extreme exhaustion will disappear. It will also help you
to adjust to your new time zone. Just a light workout like
a walk or easy jog to wake up your body is all you need.
Remember,
energy always seems to produce more energy. When you've been
traveling and doing business, the last thing on your mind
is a workout. But if you take the time to take care of yourself,
your body will perform optimally - physically and mentally.
Then you can return to your family and friends feeling refreshed
and rejuvenated not like you've been hit by a truck! Safe
and happy travels!
Sherri
and Alex McMillan own Northwest Personal Training & Fitness
Education and have been in the fitness industry for more than
18 years. They were recently awarded the 2006 IDEA International
Fitness Directors of the Year. Visit their web site at
www.nwpersonaltraining.com.
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16.
Upcoming Meetings
June
8, President's Council, noon
June 12, Transportation Committee, noon
June 19, Communications Committee, noon
June 19, Cornerstones for Success Committee, 3:30 pm
June 21, DRS Task Force, Noon
June 26, Public Safety Sub-Committee, 8 am
June 27, Government Relations Committee, 7:30 am
June 27, Small Business Council, 3 pm
June 29, Sustainability Committee, 2 pm
July 4, Central City Standing Committee, noon
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