Media Contact:
Dr. Noah Pickus, Institute for Emerging Issues, 919/515-7741
Melinda Pierson, Institute for Emerging Issues, 919/515-7741
Benny Benton, News Services, 919/515-3470

Dec. 20, 2002

IBM Chair, Irish Leader Headline 2003 Emerging Issues Forum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The chairman of the board of IBM, Louis V. Gerstner, and the deputy prime minister of Ireland, Mary Harney, are among the leaders who will address the 18th annual Emerging Issues Forum, "Jump-Starting Innovation: Government, Universities and Entrepreneurs," Feb. 10-11 at North Carolina State University.

"In order for North Carolina's economy to be successful, we must apply the latest thinking and most innovative approaches to economic development," said former Gov. Jim Hunt, chairman of the Institute for Emerging Issues. "At this year's forum, national and international leaders will focus on the fundamental challenges facing our economy in the decade ahead."

Speakers will access traditional means of economic development and analyze new strategies for fostering high-growth entrepreneurial firms and applying new technologies to traditional firms. At the center of these discussions will be the proper and most effective roles for research universities in a knowledge-driven economy.

Gerstner has been chairman of the board at IBM since 1993, and is author of "Who Says Elephants Can't Dance? Inside IBM's Historic Turnaround," a first-hand story of an extraordinary turnaround, a unique case study in managing a crisis, and a reflection on the computer industry and the principles of leadership. Gerstner has also served as chairman and CEO of RJR Nabisco and president of American Express.

Harney has served as Ireland's deputy prime minister and minister for enterprise, trade and employment since 1997, and has been at the forefront of transforming Ireland's economy into a high-tech powerhouse that now leads Europe in software exports.

Other confirmed speakers for this year's Emerging Issues Forum include David Sampson, assistant U.S. secretary of commerce for economic development; Richard Florida, professor of economic development at Carnegie Mellon University and author of the acclaimed book, "The Rise of the Creative Class;" John Hansen, Colorado's secretary of technology-designate and a founder or CEO of numerous high-tech companies, including Solant, Networks Northwest and Metapath Corp.; Robert Atkinson, vice president of the Progressive Policy Institute; and Mike Cassidy, director of the Georgia Research Institute.

The topics these and many other speakers will discuss include: Innovation and an Entrepreneurial Culture; Innovation and Rural Recovery; State and National Perspectives on Technology-Led Economic Development; The Celtic Tiger - Ireland's Technology Revolution; New Roles for Higher Education in Economic Development; and Education for Entrepreneurship.

"The forum brings the world's most innovative thinkers and doers together with North Carolina's top government, business and university leaders to develop new strategies to solve North Carolina's most pressing economic challenges," said Dr. Noah Pickus, director of the Institute for Emerging Issues. "The outcome will provide a roadmap for North Carolina to promote technological progress, economic innovation and entrepreneurship while ensuring robust oversight of these efforts and a regional distribution of benefits."

The Emerging Issues Forum is a program of the Institute for Emerging Issues and was started in 1985 by Hunt, who still serves as the forum's chair. The state's premier public policy conference, the forum attracts nearly 1,000 citizen leaders, corporate chiefs, legislators, journalists, scientists and educators from around North Carolina, the region and the nation.

The cost of the conference is $150 if registered by Jan. 31 and $200 beginning Feb. 1. To register or for additional information, visit the forum's Web site at www.ncsu.edu/eif or call (919) 515-7741.

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