Laredo Texas Chamber VISION 2005 Conference

· What are the implications of a weakening dollar on the border economy?

· Now that the elections are over... how does the future bode for transportation?

· How can the business community work with our representatives to gain Washington’s attention?

The organizers of the Vision 2005 Economic Outlook Conference hope to provide answers to these and many other questions this February 24 as they host this annual forum. The Laredo Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the City of Laredo and Texas A&M International University to put forth an ambitious program designed to address issues of importance to members of the Border region. Titled Laredo Listens to Washington, Austin and Mexico City, the 2005 VISION Conference is bound to have something of interest for every business concern – on both sides of the Border. States Alejandro Cabezut, chairman of the Vision Planning Committee, “The program is informal enough to deliver up-to-date information, and,yet, allow plenty of opportunity for business-to-business networking.”

This year’s keynote address, a highlight of the annual event, will be delivered by Laredo’s own Henry Cuellar, recently elected to the U.S. Congress. In addition, the program planners have included presentations dealing with the impact of a weakening dollar on the global economy and ramifications at the local level, and update reports on the status of transportation funding bills. Javier Ortiz Castillo, Executive Director for Operations of Casa de Bolsa ARKA, a Mexico City financial firm, and Alfredo Huerta, Financial Analyst and radio commentator for a well-known radio program called Cúpula Empresarial, will address the former, while Ed Mortimer, Executive Director for Transportation Mobility, a national coalition that promotes development of the nation’s transportation infrastructure, will deal with transportation-related issues.

An innovative addition to this year’s program will be a presentation by Jim Bearden, a motivational speaker from Austin, Texas. Bearden’s presentation, titled Leadership, Teamwork & Winning: The Relentless Search for Better Ways, will be marked by his particular upbeat style which is laced with plenty of tasteful humor and relevant anecdotes. A decorated Viet Nam veteran, who later became top sales producer and founder of his own company, Bearden uses his rich life experiences for his anecdotes, his humor and his insights.

All conference sessions will take place at the Western Hemispheric Trade Center of Texas A&M International University. The conference will open on the morning of February 24 at 7:30 a.m. for registration. Breakfast will follow and the first general session will open at 8:15 a.m. Vision 2005 will conclude with a luncheon where Congressman Henry Cuellar will deliver his keynote address.

The Vision conferences were conceptualized in 1989 to provide the Laredo Chamber membership and area businesses with the means to plan effectively for business development. Gradually, over the years, the focus of the program has expanded as industry and economic trends have shifted.

Registration for the Vision conference is $75 for Chamber members and $95 for Non members. Sponsorships are available in various categories to interested parties. For information on conference registration or sponsorships contact the Laredo Chamber of Commerce at (956) 722-9895.