DES MOINES, Iowa, May 15, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- A roster of nationally acclaimed experts weigh in on the future and fortunes of Missouri at a major conference in Osage Beach, May 23 - 24, 2006.
Sponsored by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (Missouri is in its District), "Capitalizing on Rural America - Missouri" is designed to introduce local leaders and community bankers to new models for everything from economic development to capital formation.
Headliners include:
Ben Stein, comedian, lawyer, actor, professor, and finance guru
best known for his nerdy role in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," and
as host of Comedy Central's "Win Ben Stein's Money." As conference
keynoter, Stein applies his talent and background to issues facing
rural America.
Bill Kurtis, distinguished journalist; Emmy Award-winning producer
of A&E's "Cold Case Files" and "Investigative Reports," and angel
investor in the small town of Sedan, Kansas, Kurtis facilitates
a town meeting with a Missouri panel and the audience on the
state's future.
Panelists:
Chuck Brazeale, Paris, Missouri banker and chair of the Missouri
Bankers Association.
Sharon Metz, mayor of the town of Carrollton, Missouri.
Michael Ravenscraft, 22 year old entrepreneur from Festus.
Marty Shukert, partner in RDG Planning & Design, specialist in
small-town revitalization.
Danita Allen Wood, editor-in-chief, Missouri Life magazine.
Tom Walker, creator of the national model to develop an
entrepreneurial economy on how to turn innovation into a business.
He is CEO of i2E in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Jack Schultz, author of "Boomtown USA: The 7 1/2 Keys to Big
Success in Small Towns." Schultz is CEO of Agracel in Effingham,
Illinois.
Andrew Skadberg, chief knowledge officer of AdventGX in College
Station, Texas focuses on tourism as an economic development
strategy.
There is no charge to attend the conference and it is open to the public, but registration is required. To register online, go to www.fhlbdm.com.
"Capitalizing on Rural America -- Missouri" will be held at Tan-Tar-A in Osage Beach. For more information, contact Angie Richards at 800.544.3452, ext. 1014 or arichards@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.