Telecommunications Conference This Week

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., will chair a two-day summit on telecommunications issues that kicks off Thursday at the Spokane Center.

The event, dubbed “Getting Connected,” is billed as “an important statewide telecommunications conference and trade exhibit.” It will focus on the needs of small and rural communities for advanced telecommunications services and the challenges of delivering such services.

“I’ve long believed that every community in Washington, regardless of location, deserves to have access to enhanced telecommunications services,” Murray said in a statement. “At this conference, we can take an important step toward ensuring that no community is left behind.”

Gov. Gary Locke is listed as keynote speaker for the lunch program, and the dinner speaker is Val Sanford, general manager of B2BNow.com, a division of Networks Commerce Inc.

There is a $60 registration fee, plus an additional $35 charge for those attending Thursday’s keynote dinner. For information, call (206) 695-1964.

In other events this week:

Monday

Government offices, banks and financial markets in the United States will be closed in observance of Memorial Day. Most foreign markets will be open.

Tuesday

Conference Board reports on consumer confidence.

Wednesday

Anne Bruce, co-author of “Motivating Employees,” is the featured speaker for the Fifth Annual Family-a-Fair Workplace Business Seminar and Awards Luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Cavanaughs Inn at the Park. Awards will be presented for local business excellence and leadership in providing supportive workplaces. Cost: $25, or $200 for a table of eight; for information, call 456-3733.

* U.S. Commerce Department reports on new homes sales and Conference Board reports Index of Leading Economic Indicators, both for April.

Thursday

Avista Advantage holds an open house for invited guests from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on the fifth floor of RockPointe East, 1313 N. Atlantic. For information, call Melanie Roberts at 495-4817.

* The Idaho Barley Commission holds its annual budget meeting starting at 8:30 a.m. at the commission’s office, 1199 Main, Suite G, in Boise. The meeting continues on Friday, beginning at 8 a.m. For information, call (208) 334-2090.

Friday

Amway Distributor Worldwide Dreambuilders Inc. kicks off a two-day meeting at the Convention Center. For information, call 353-6500.

* Genie Industries plans a roll-out celebration for its highest-reaching self-propelled telescopic booms at 2:30 p.m. at 8987 Graham Road NE in Moses Lake.

* U.S. Labor Department reports on employment for May; Commerce Department reports on factory orders for April.

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