May 5 & 6 | Aria Hotel | Las Vegas, NV



At a time when many states are seeking new and innovative ways to encourage economic growth and stability, Secretaries of State are re-defining the role of business filing and licensing offices to bolster these important efforts.  By looking at ways to cut red tape/reduce bureaucracy, streamline services, and operate in a business-friendly manner, they are helping states maximize limited resources while supporting business growth and development. This event explored state efforts to ensure that state filing & licensing offices are business-friendly and streamlined for success.

THANKS TO ALL WHO SPONSORED & ATTENDED THIS YEAR'S SYMPOSIUM! 

News Release | Photos on the NASS Facebook page | Presentations, below

NASS 2013 Business Symposium

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM                                             
REGISTRATION & CHECK-IN
Starvine 10 & 11

8:30 AM - 8:45 AM                                             
BREAKFAST WITH WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS

8:45 AM - 9:15 AM
Best States for Business:  Utah's Competitive Advantage
Hon. Greg Bell, Utah Lieutenant Governor

Why has Forbes Magazine rated Utah the #1 state for business for the past three years in a row?  Why are entrepreneurs and small businesses flocking to the Beehive State and thriving?  Find out how the regulatory climate and a statewide review of administrative rules have powered Utah's economic growth and state rankings-list glory!  

9:15 AM - 10:45 AM
RE-THINKING THE ROLE OF THE SOS OFFICE:  CREATING A BUSINESS-FRIENDLY STATE AGENCY ENVIRONMENT
Moderator:  Hon. Scott Gessler, Colorado Secretary of State           

Is your state taking an enterprise approach to business?  This panel is designed to encourage a broad discussion about the national trends for business filing & licensing offices, with a focus on states that have undertaken special measures to transform their agency culture to better promote business creation and expansion.  The elimination of bureaucratic confusion and reduction of waste are important topics for this panel, along with the development of a strong state governance and accountability structure.

Featured Panelists:

Hon. Jeffrey Bullock, Delaware Secretary of State
Hon. Elaine Marshall, North Carolina Secretary of State
Hon. Dianna Duran, New Mexico Secretary of State
Mr. Tim Hall, Director of Government Relations, CT Corporation
Mr. Marty Shugarts, Vice President B2B/ State & Local Government, American Express

10:45 AM - 11:00 AM                                           
BREAK

11:00 AM - 12:15 PM                                            
STREAMLINING BUSINESS PROCESSES:  ONE-STOP PORTALS & START-UP SUCCESS STRATEGIES
Moderator:  Hon. Kate Brown, Oregon Secretary of State

State web portals that make it easier for businesses to obtain start-up licenses, permits, and registration confirmation in one location are increasingly popular. What are some of the key success factors in creating a business one-stop?  What are the best ways to measure their performance?  This panel will look at the processes that states have used to help establish clear objectives, encourage agency participation, manage cross-agency cooperation, offer stakeholder input options and evaluate the effectiveness of their state business portal.  

Featured Panelists:

Hon. A. Ralph Mollis, Rhode Island Secretary of State
Hon. Mark Hammond, South Carolina Secretary of State
Ms. Laurie Harrigan, Business Solutions Manager, FileONE

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM                                           

1:45 PM -  3:15 PM                                            
PROMOTING GROWTH & SUPPORT:  STATE PARTNERSHIPS/COLLABORATIONS, TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS  & BUSINESS COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Moderator: Hon. Jason Gant, South Dakota Secretary of State

How can state business filing offices utilize data and resources to help promote growth and new business?  Can states benefit from engaging in regional problem-solving and working across state lines? This panel will focus on what states are doing to establish the Secretary of State's office as a bona fide "go-to" resource on economic growth and business support, and generate citizen support for such efforts.  The importance of developing partnerships will be highlighted, along with advice for engaging business community leaders and utilizing technology to create commerce, collaboration & community.

Featured Panelists:

Hon. Beth Chapman, Alabama Secretary of State
Hon. Tom Schedler, Louisiana Secretary of State
Hon. Ken Bennett, Arizona Secretary of State
Ms. Cyndi Festa, Global Information Services Leader, Dun & Bradstreet

3:30 PM - 4:45 PM                                              
EMBRACING NEXT STEPS:  MOBILITY, TECHNOLOGY & THE FUTURE OF STATE BUSINESS ONE-STOPS
Moderator:  Hon. Natalie Tennant, West Virginia Secretary of State

At a time when more and more states are offering business entity search apps, professional license lookups and mobile payment services, now is the time to be thinking about taking your online services one step further.  What are the best strategies for your state, particularly if resources are limited?  This panel will focus on the evolution of mobile-enabled website platforms and services, and what lies ahead for business one-stops. Native applications and tools will be highlighted, along with advice for planning ahead and avoiding wasteful pitfalls.

Featured Panelists:

Hon. Ross Miller, Nevada Secretary of State
Hon. Mark Martin, Arkansas Secretary of State
Hon. Al Jaeger, North Dakota Secretary of State
Mr. Shaul Jolles, CEO, DOT Registry
Mr. Brett Stott, Director of Marketing, NIC

4:45 PM - 5:30 PM                                              
WHAT BUSINESSES NEED FROM GOVERNMENT:   PRIVATE SECTOR EXPERTS SHARE THEIR INSIGHTS
Moderator: Hon. Jim Condos, Vermont Secretary of State

In an age of global competition, what can states do better to help businesses - and the American workforce - grow and prosper? How important are licensing and regulatory requirements when it comes to establishing a reputation as a business-friendly state?  This discussion will cover what private sector leaders value in government services and outreach.  How do they counsel aspiring business founders? Do small business training and outreach programs matter? This panel will serve as a resource for policymakers to help understand the needs of business owners and those who support such endeavors.

Featured Panelists:

Mr. Barrett Gilbreath, General Manager, Alabama Interactive, NIC
Ms. Tess Pattison-Wade, Executive Director, DOT Registry
Ms. Charlene Dawkins, Government Relations Manager, CT Corporation

American Express | CT Corporation | DOT Registry, LLC | Dun & Bradstreet | FileONE | NICContact:  Stacy Dodd, NASS Event Manager | 202-624-3525 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it