Contact: Tara Hendershott, 202-224-5444, Washington, DC, 20510

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      March 27, 2008

Bennett's Annual Rural Business Conference Yields Successful Results In Price

Attracts Nearly 500 Small Business and Community Leaders

Salt Lake City, Utah – U.S. Senator Bob Bennett (R-Utah) and the Utah Rural Development Council joined nearly 500 small business owners, local, state government and economic development officials in Price on Wednesday for the Seventh Annual Rural Business Conference, which provides practical tools and solutions to the unique challenges faced by rural entrepreneurs. 

 “This year’s conference attracted a record number of participants from across the state,” said Bennett. “Small businesses are the heart of rural Utah and this conference provides a forum for owners and entrepreneurs to share ideas and strategies for building their companies.”

 In a luncheon presentation, Bennett, a former Inc. Magazine regional entrepreneur of the year, discussed how the changes in globalization will affect American businesses in the years ahead.

 Bennett noted, “The future of local businesses depends upon their ability to use innovative ideas to launch products and services into a global marketplace.”

 David Taylor, Global Home Care Group President of Procter and Gamble (P&G) gave the keynote address. He shared P&G’s decision process of selecting Box Elder County as the site of its new paper goods manufacturing plant, an economic investment of $300 million and over 300 jobs. He emphasized how P&G’s business principles mesh with Utah’s business climate and workforce.

 "Utah is the right choice for P&G because of its location, educational system, and its dedication to understanding our company’s needs. Utah’s spirit of partnership and optimism at every level of government and its collective dedication to economic development in job creation served as our strongest incentive,” said Taylor.

 The conference was filled with a number of breakout sessions, including a health care discussion featuring Senator Bennett and Utah Representative David Clark (R-Santa Clara). Bennett outlined the core components of the Healthy Americans Act (S.334), bipartisan health care reform legislation he and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) introduced last year. Clark shared his experience passing legislation in the Utah Legislature this year to reform the state’s health care system.

Other session topics included podcasting, financing for small business, and exporting products to global markets. Given the increase in energy development in Utah, the conference added breakout sessions addressing the future of coal and natural gas in the West.

Featured presenter and marketing expert, Donna Fisher gave an interactive presentation on how networking can increase a company’s profitability. Participants were able to put their networking skills to use while visiting the conference’s business expo, which featured products and services from over 45 local, regional and national companies. 

 Bennett recognized and thanked the event sponsors whose generous contributions make the conference possible and affordable. This year’s conference returned to Price after a successful conference in 2004. Bennett’s conference has traveled around the state and builds success on previous events held in Logan, Vernal, Richfield, St. George, and Cedar City.

For more information about this conference, or past conferences, please visit www.ruralutah.com <http://www.ruralutah.com/> .

For additional information on Bennett’s Healthy Americans Act visit http://bennett.senate.gov/healthyamericans.

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http://bennett.senate.gov/