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18 | I NSIGH T • N o v e m b e r 2 0 14 w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m U P F R O N T CONNECTIONS B Y M A R G A R E T L E B R U N S hipbuilders, crane makers, paper and converting, food processing, agriculture, insurance – we've got them all, and more, in the New North. e diversity of industries in Northeast Wisconsin is a strength of the region, whatever the whims of the national and global economy. Celebrating this strength informs the theme of this year's New North Summit: Every Part Counts. e annual New North Summit takes place on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at the Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan. It promises a full-day event for business executives, education leaders, non- profit heads, manufacturers, elected officials, community members and other stakeholders. "e region's strongest industry is manufacturing, but there are vital other sectors that strategically insulate the New North economy in a varying economic wind," says Jerry Murphy, executive director of New North, Inc. "And even in the best of times, it allows us to grow multiple sectors at different paces. In other places in the country, that's difficult to aspire to." e 2014 Summit features speakers and sessions that highlight workforce, entrepreneurship and education stories in the New North region. During the event, New North, Inc., also will present an overview of economic development in the region and state over the past year, along with a look forward to the coming year. Networking begins at 8 a.m., followed by the start of the day's program at 9 a.m. A midday luncheon offers networking opportunities for the expected 700-plus attendees. Two speakers will offer short keynotes. John Torinus, chairman of Serigraph Inc. and BizStarts Milwaukee, co-founder of the angel investing group Successful Entrepreneur Investors and former business journalist, will discuss business growth and diversification. Taking data on the region, he will address the strategic advantages of the New North in context of the rest of the state and the country. A panel discussion among business leaders on challenges and opportunities for growth will follow his talk. Karl Alleman, advisor to global companies as Chicago office leader of the consulting firm Egon Zehnder, will explore how employers in the New North should look to their existing local workforce as an untapped resource ready to be trained to fill the jobs of the future – and jobs that remain unfilled today. Alleman's experience covers a wide spectrum of industries, from aerospace and automotive to packaging, consumer durables and logistics. Following his talk, Alleman will moderate a panel discussion among regional employers. Aernoon programming includes the 2015 Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Vitality Index Study presented by the NEW Manufacturing Alliance. Every part counts New North Summit set for Dec. 2 in Sheboygan The lakefront entry at Blue Harbor Resort, Sheboygan, offers a grand view to as many as 700 expected to attend the New North Summit Dec. 2. C O U R T E S Y B L U E H A R B O R R E S O R T