DES MOINES, Iowa, March 29, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Fox News' Neil Cavuto and A&E's Bill Kurtis headline a roster of nationally acclaimed experts who will weigh in on the future and fortunes of Iowa at a major conference here April 25-26, 2006.
"Capitalizing on Rural America - Iowa" is sponsored by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines and continues a three-year series of dynamic dialogues about energizing and revitalizing rural America. The April conference is designed to introduce Iowa's community bankers and local leaders to new models for everything from capital formation to economic development.
Cavuto, host of the highest-rated business show on cable television, is recognized for his fast-paced, no-nonsense approach to power, politics, egos and the economy. With a mission to connect Wall Street to Main Street, Cavuto brings his message to Iowa as conference keynoter.
A centerpiece of the conference is this year's version of the dialogue -- a town meeting facilitated by Bill Kurtis, distinguished journalist and Emmy Award-winning producer of A&E's "Cold Case Files" and "Investigative Reports." As an angel investor in the small town of Sedan, Kansas, Kurtis is especially suited to his role in the dialogue.
The town meeting features a discussion among an expert panel of Iowans and the audience. Kurtis guides the dialogue which is expected to cover issues such as entrepreneurship, jobs, capital resources and quality of life.
Iowa panelists are Brad Davis, a Hampton banker who created a $1 million fund to lure former residents home; Curt Nelson, chief of Cedar Rapids' Entrepreneurial Development Center, Iowa's only business accelerator; Marty Shukert, partner in RDG Planning/Design and specialist in small-town revitalization; Megan Wettach, 22-year-old entrepreneur from Mt. Pleasant; and David Yepsen, Des Moines Register political columnist.
The dual-themed conference offers educational forums for community bankers alongside special sessions for community leaders that focus on innovative ways to grow rural Iowa.
Tom Walker, creator of the national model to develop an entrepreneurial economy, will lead a session on how to turn innovation into a business. He is CEO of i2E in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Jerry Yoshitomi, an arts expert who has worked in small communities across the country, comes from California to share his wisdom and success stories. Andrew Skadberg, chief knowledge officer of AdventGX in College Station, Texas will focus on tourism as an economic development strategy.
Also on tap at the conference: Iowa's four towns that have received the Bank's Capital Community Award each year since the dialogues on rural America began. Community representatives will "exhibit" their town, share success stories and interact with conference attendees.
"Capitalizing on Rural America - Iowa" will be held at the downtown Marriott in Des Moines. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. For more information, contact Angie Richards at 800.544.3452, ext. 1014 or arichards@fhlbdm.com. To register online, go to www.fhlbdm.com.
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines is a $50 billion wholesale bank with more than 1,200 members which include commercial banks, saving institutions, credit unions and insurance companies. The Bank is owned by its members and receives no taxpayer funding. The Des Moines-based Bank serves Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, and is one of 12 regional banks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank System.