NASS Members Seeking Tools, Technology for Business Licensing & Filing Offices to Streamline Government Agencies & Cut Red Tape

WASHINGTON, DC, May 3, 2013 – To foster business development and economic growth, Secretaries of State, Lieutenant Governors and senior state business division leaders from 27 states are taking part in a national forum focused on reducing bureaucracy and streamlining state government agencies for success. The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) business symposium will be held on May 6, 2013 at the Aria hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.  The event will feature expert panels designed to assist the officials who oversee state business filing, reporting and licensing functions on behalf of the states.

"At a time when the creation and protection of jobs is a top priority at every level of government in almost every state, Secretaries of State are finding innovative ways for state filing and licensing offices to reduce bureaucracy, streamline state services and operate in a business-friendly manner," said NASS President Ross Miller, Nevada Secretary of State.

"From fee holidays to one-stop portals that connect businesses to multiple state agencies and eliminate bureaucratic confusion, the goal is to reduce the time and expense of dealing with state government while helping states maximize their limited resources to foster business creation and expansion."

Businesses typically interact with the Secretary of State's office on a variety of matters – from registering with the state to understanding regulations and reporting obligations, or obtaining licenses and permits. Some offices also provide information to business owners on grants, counseling and mentoring services, fraud alerts and enforcement practices. While some businesses owners know exactly which persons and programs to contact within state government, many businesses contact the Secretary of State's office when they are uncertain about what support exists and where to start to find the services they might need.

The NASS symposium will include presentations on proven tools and strategies for providing the types of support and services that can foster business support, creation and growth.  In addition to streamlining regulations and reducing paperwork, fees and processing times, discussions will focus on innovative uses of technology.  Mobile applications, online chat programs, electronic payment features and state business portals will be prominently featured.

Event sponsors with subject matter experts taking part in forum panels include: American Express, CT Corporation, DOT Registry LLC, Dun & Bradstreet, FileONE and NIC. 

A luncheon will feature Ms. Jennifer Giering, Director of Small Business Engagement for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's "Hiring Our Heroes" initiative, which aims to promote veteran and military spouse employment opportunities.

NASS will use participant input from the symposium to develop a white paper aimed at helping states maximize their potential to support business development and economic growth through state business filing and licensing offices. NASS will release its findings in February 2014.

A full symposium agenda is available at this link, or online at www.nass.org.

Featured Panelists

Hon. Greg Bell, Utah Lieutenant Governor

Hon. Ken Bennett, Arizona Secretary of State

Hon. Kate Brown, Oregon Secretary of State

Hon. Jeffrey Bullock, Delaware Secretary of State

Hon. Beth Chapman, Alabama Secretary of State

Hon. Jim Condos, Vermont Secretary of State

Ms. Charlene Dawkins, Government Relations Manager, CT Corporation

Hon. Dianna Duran, New Mexico Secretary of State

Ms. Cyndi Festa, Global Information Services Leader, Dun & Bradstreet

Hon. Jason Gant, South Dakota Secretary of State

Hon. Scott Gessler, Colorado Secretary of State

Mr. Barrett Gilbreath, General Manager, Alabama Interactive, NIC

Mr. Tim Hall, Director of Government Relations, CT Corporation

Hon. Mark Hammond, South Carolina Secretary of State

Ms. Laurie Harrigan, Business Solutions Manager, FileONE

Hon. Al Jaeger, North Dakota Secretary of State

Mr. Shaul Jolles, CEO, DOT Registry LLC

Hon. Elaine Marshall, North Carolina Secretary of State

Hon. Mark Martin, Arkansas Secretary of State

Hon. Ross Miller, Nevada Secretary of State

Hon. A. Ralph Mollis, Rhode Island Secretary of State

Ms. Tess Pattison-Wade, Executive Director, DOT Registry LLC

Hon. Tom Schedler, Louisiana Secretary of State

Mr. Marty Shugarts, Vice President B2B/State & Local Government, American Express

Mr. Brent Stott, Director of Marketing, NIC

Hon. Natalie Tennant, West Virginia Secretary of State

About NASS
Founded in 1904, NASS is the oldest, nonpartisan professional organization of public officials in the U.S. Members include the 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa and Puerto Rico. NASS serves as a medium for the exchange of information between states and fosters cooperation in the development of public policy. The association has key initiatives in the areas of elections and voting, state business services and digital archiving, international relations and state securities regulation, as well as several well-established awards programs.   

###