Sessions

All sessions held at The Westin Edmonton Hotel unless otherwise noted.

THURSDAY, JULY 19
2:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M.		CSG Western Innovations Selection Meeting (by invitation) CSG began presenting Innovations Awards in 1986 to bring greater visibility to exemplary state programs and to facilitate the transfer of those successful experiences to other states. State officials evaluate the finalists and select two award winners within each CSG region.
FRIDAY, JULY 20
8:00 A.M.-9:45 A.M.		Opening Plenary Session Neighbors, Friends & Allies: What States and Provinces Can Do to Strengthen North American Cooperation and Competitiveness The United States, Canada and Mexico share boundaries, history and core values. In the opening session, a dynamic panel will discuss the opportunities and challenges to enhance regional, continental competitiveness in an ever growing global economy. Panelists will also explain what states and provinces can do to foster and enable innovative solutions and approaches to issues that cross international boundaries.
10:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.		Track One: Annual Legislative Training Assembly (includes lunch break – lunch on own) The Annual Legislative Training Assembly offers a day of high energy professional development for lawmakers at all stages of their careers. Join international media coach Richard Greene for morning and afternoon workshops that will take you on a magical tour of the best, most inspirational speeches of the past 100 years. Trainer: Richard Greene Author of “Words that Shook the World,” Beverly Hills, California
10:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.		Track Two: North America Summit IV (includes lunch break – lunch on own) The North America Summit offers a day of opportunities for western policy makers from Canada, the United States and Mexico to engage on critical issues facing the North American region. The diversity and location of the member states and associate members of CSG-WEST reflect the uniqueness of the West as the only CSG region sharing borders with Mexico and Canada. As such, this creates strategic opportunities to bring together leaders of all three countries to promote a North American dialogue and identify areas for greater collaboration.
12:15 P.M.-1:45 P.M.		Executive Committee Lunch Session: WLA 2012 Class Selection (Executive Committee members only)
SATURDAY, JULY 21
8:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M.		Health Forum This policy forum will enable legislators to exchange information and lessons learned from developing health insurance exchanges in their states, which is a key element of the federal Affordable Care Act. Speakers will provide state and federal perspectives. Western lawmakers will also learn about the Canadian health care system, how it has developed over the years, and the challenges faced in meeting the needs of Canadian citizens. WESTRENDS WESTRENDS focuses on the implications for policy makers of the demographic, economic and cultural trends that are shaping western states. This forum provides opportunities to evaluate the direction and velocity of trends that affect the quality of life in the West through conversations with futurists and demographics. Western Legislative Conference Committee: Western Economic Development What can legislators learn from their Western Canadian neighbors about economic development? How can state lawmakers expedite expansion of broadband access? Can tax incentives jump start economic development? This committee forum will consider answers to these questions and others as members review a wide variety of topics designed to promote Western economies.
11:30 A.M.-1:00 P.M.		Lunch Plenary Session WORLD NEXT – The Disruptive Forces Shaping the Global Future How will a billion new consumers from emerging markets impact the future of innovation and technology? Will dramatic economic and demographic shifts undermine the stability of global growth? Does social media make for chaotic mobs or democratic transparency? And what will be the outcome of the new convergence between the energy and information industries? International futurist Mike Walsh will present a dynamic, high impact session that brings to life some of the big trends for 2012, with a view to imagining a new future for government and community leadership for the 21st century. As the founder and CEO of Tomorrow, a consumer innovation research lab, Walsh travels the world to advise industry giants and world leaders about future innovations and implications for the world we live in now. Walsh brings fresh insights, practical strategies and astounding prescience - so join us as we step into the future with one of the world’s most creative thinkers.
5:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M.		Women in Politics Women in Politics is a time and place to share challenges and opportunities for women in state legislatures. Enjoy conversation during an early evening session for women and men who serve in the legislative arena.
SUNDAY, JULY 22
8:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M.		Western Legislative Conference Committees: Energy and Public Lands Committee Committee members will hear from leading experts on world energy supply and demand. In addition, Canadian innovations in reducing greenhouse gas emissions during oil sands production will be explored along with issues affecting pipeline siting and the future of Canadian energy exportation. Fiscal Affairs Committee Cutting-Edge Budget Innovations: What Western States Can Learn from Each Other How can states implement cost-benefit analysis to get the most bang for the budget buck? What are Western states doing about tax and business incentives to stimulate the economy and promote jobs? What’s happening in Washington, D.C. that will affect the fiscal health of Western States? Get answers to these and other key questions as Western legislators share unique ideas about tax credits and business incentives and explore the PEW Center on the States’ “Results First” initiative on cutting-edge budget strategies.
11:30 A.M.-1:00 P.M.		Lunch Plenary Session Climb Beyond Your Next “Everests”- Lessons in Leadership Dave Rodney is a world-class athlete, Humanitarian of the Year and a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Join him as he delivers lessons in leadership based on his experiences as the first Canadian to scale the summit of Mt. Everest—not just once, but twice. Using beautiful still images, breathtaking videos and spellbinding stories, “Sherpa Dave “will link his challenges in the Himalayas to the personal & professional 'Everests' that we all face as lawmakers (& spouses!), every day. You will walk away with practical strategies to overcome personal, professional, and political obstacles.
1:30 P.M.-4:30 P.M.		Western Legislative Conference Committees: Future of Western Legislatures Committee Take part in a lively, hands-on mock sitting of the Assembly at the Alberta Legislature. Who represents the monarchy during legislative business? Why do Members of the Legislative Assembly pound the table with just one hand? Why is Oral Question Period so entertaining? What is royal assent, and why is there no royal veto? Find out the answers to these questions and more as you experience democracy at work in provincial legislatures. Business casual attire is requested. Water and Environment Committee This session will provide an opportunity to discuss growing and competing demands of western water and the environment—how to better manage water while maintaining the environmental integrity of the West’s land, air and water. This committee collaborates with the Western Governors’ Association, Western States Water Council and other organizations in an effort to develop a shared vision and regional strategies to address western water and environment concerns.
MONDAY, JULY 23
8:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M.		Western Legislative Conference Committees: Education Committee This forum will explore innovative programs and practices to achieve the best educational outcomes within the resources available to increase student readiness and prepare a future workforce for success. International Trade Committee The International Trade Committee will examine the formation of the Trans Pacific Partnership, the U.S. President’s proposal to consolidate the various trade agencies and the impact of the Panama Canal expansion. We will also discuss the impact of the diversity in states’ regulatory environments of the trucking industry, and how that affects interstate commerce.
11:30 A.M.-1:00 P.M.		Lunch Plenary Session Elections 2012: Forecasting the political climate of the nation and the states U.S. Democratic political strategist Donna Brazile and Republican counterpart Rich Galen will debate the outcome of upcoming fall elections. How will states – particularly Western states—and the nation be impacted? Who will win the presidential race? What leadership styles can we expect from the candidates? What do elections mean for state lawmakers? Find out what’s on the minds of voters in the West and the nation.
1:30 P.M.-4:30 P.M.		Executive Committee The Executive Committee serves as the Board of Directors of CSG-WEST and will be reviewing the work and activities of CSG-WEST programs, projects and policy committees; adopting policy positions for the organization; and electing 2013 officers. The committee is composed of the four CSG-WEST officers, the presiding legislative officers and ranking minority leaders in each chamber of the 13 western states, the chair and vice chair of CSG-WEST policy committees and other legislators appointed by the presiding legislative officer in each chamber of each member state.