76th Annual Conference of Mayors Workshops
May 19, 2008
76th Annual Conference of Mayors
Workshops
Friday, June 20
Digital Literacy: How to Build a Globally Competitive Workforce in Your City
Sponsored by Microsoft Corporation
This session, hosted by Miami Mayor Manny A. Diaz and sponsored by Microsoft, is a “living room style” conversation on the subject of digital literacy and workforce readiness and competitiveness. Challenged with high dropout rates, a workforce in need of digital literacy skills and a deficient school-to-work pipeline, this “no nonsense” practical discussion will focus on how mayors and other city staff can tackle the issue of the digital divide. In a conversational approach, the session features three mayors whose cities have “been there and done that” with highly focused digital inclusion strategies.
Their discussion will be moderated to provide insights into three city-wide implementations of digital literacy, workforce and micro business/small business stimulus programs. Participants will walk away with a number of shared approaches that could serve as viable solutions for your city.
Leveraging New Partnerships to Meet Local Infrastructure Needs
Sponsored by Ahorro Corporation
This workshop explores how cities, big and small, can utilize market-based, public-private partnerships to finance infrastructure and other priority community projects. And, until such time as higher level governments recognize the necessity to increase their capital commitments to these critical local investment priorities, mayors are exploring new partnerships with multinational companies to tap global capital markets to advance needed projects. Specifically, this workshop will examine two case studies where such partnerships are changing assumptions about how cities can fund future infrastructure projects. In Chicago, the sale of a large public asset generated millions of dollars for other critical infrastructure projects throughout the city, opening the door to other public-private partnerships in the city. In the other case study, a new parking facility was financed and constructed entirely with private funds at no cost to Miami, pointing the way to new opportunities to finance other community needs.
entirely with private funds at no cost to Miami, pointing the way to new opportunities to finance other community needs.
Franchising in Cities: How to Establish a Business Friendly Environment
Sponsored by the International Franchise Association
Come hear from Jon L. Luther, Chairman and CEO of Dunkin’ Brands and a panel of leading franchise business operators about how to create a friendly business environment in your city to attract franchise companies. Dunkin’ Brands is the premier quick service restaurant franchisor with over 13,800 restaurants serving the Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins brands. Franchising is a rapidly growing business model that currently generates over 21 million jobs and contributes over $2.3 trillion in annual economic output in the United States alone. Mayors and franchise operators will discuss the needs of franchise businesses and best practices programs that have worked in cities to attract franchise businesses.
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