Business Day at Legislature offers first-hand insights.

CHEYENNE – For more than 250 chamber of commerce executives and members from around Wyoming, the 1997 Business Day at the Legislature was more than a chance to come to Cheyenne and observe first-hand the workings of the Wyoming Legislature.It was an opportunity to be briefed by the governor and legislative leaders on some of the top issues of the session, hear panel discussions on other issues and meet individually with their legislators at a business expo showcasing some of the state’s most innovative businesses.
“The goal is to get business people involved in the Legislature,´ said Dale Bohren, Casper Chamber of Commerce executive and program chairman for this year’s Business Day sponsored by the Wyoming Chamber of Commerce Executives.
The day started with a briefing by House Speaker Bruce Hinchey, R-Casper, and Senate President Bob Grieve, R-Savery, who left together because one of Hinchey’s bills was being heard that morning in Grieve’s Rules Committee (suggesting that Wyoming’s legislative leaders remain comfortable wearing several different hats during the session).
It continued with panel discussions on economic development and diversification, public lands management and Wyoming’s tax structure and then a luncheon with Gov. Jim Geringer, who outlined his views of economic development.
After lunch, it was off to the Capitol to observe the afternoon’s debate in the Legislature, attend committee meetings on adjournment and meet individually with legislators.
That evening, legislators and chamber members alike enjoyed the Wyoming Growth Alliance Business Expo, sponsored by the chamber executives, the Wyoming Economic Development Association and the State Division of Economic and Community Development.
Wyoming’s Business Day at the Legislature was started about five years ago to give chamber executives and members more exposure to the Legislature – and to give legislators a better feel for business issues.
The chamber executives and WEDA had met separately with legislators but decided they could be more effective through creating a partnership – the Wyoming Growth Alliance – and holding a Business Expo.
“We decided if we worked together we could produce an event where the legislators could get a better sense of the kind of business that’s going on around the state, particularly the new businesses and the new technologies,” Bohren said. “It’s an easier way for everybody to get to talk to each other and see some of the things that we’re actually doing, rather than just having dinner.”
This year’s session drew more than 250 people, 100 people more than last year, and included participants in leadership programs in Cheyenne, Casper, Gillette, Rock Springs, Cody and Powell.
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