Policy Experts, Researchers and Family Business Owners to Discuss Health Insurance, Estate Tax and More at Family Business Conference, September 25-26

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 26 MN-Family-Enterprise


MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Politics, family and business will be
the converging topics of discussion at "Family Capital, Family Business and
Free Enterprise," a first-ever national conference hosted by the University of
St. Thomas Opus College of Business. Held at the school's downtown Minneapolis
campus September 25-26, 2008 -- just a few weeks after the Republican National
Convention -- the event will convene policy experts, academics and business
leaders to have dialogue about family business research findings and public
policy, thereby surfacing important issues and creating an agenda for ongoing
analysis and action.


"Health insurance and the estate tax are specific, hot-button issues we
know will be talked about, but we're expecting a broad range of policies to be
covered. So much discussion focuses on large, non-family corporations,
ignoring the immense role family business plays on our economy and lives,"
said Ritch Sorenson, the Opus Endowed professor who leads the College's Center
for Family Enterprise organizing the conference. The Center is one of the
pre-eminent research and development institutions in the country for family
business.


According to data collected by Case Western Reserve professor Ernesto Poza
last year, family-owned or controlled organizations account for nine of ten
incorporated businesses, employ 80 percent of the U.S. workforce and nearly
two thirds of the GDP. While family businesses have also been recognized for
their leadership in innovation, community collaboration and ethical practices,
few forums exist to discuss the unique needs, challenges and opportunities
these companies face.


"Family Capital, Family Business and Free Enterprise" is an
invitation-only event designed to facilitate ongoing dialogue among
participants through facilitated conversations, informal networking and
academic and policy presentations. Public input on issues is invited via
e-mail to cfe@stthomas.edu. Comments will be posted on the Center for Family
Enterprise web page and summarized for conference participants.



With a vision to educate highly principled global business leaders, the
University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business offers undergraduate majors
in 12 fields and master's degrees in eight programs, including day and evening
MBA degrees. The school enrolls another 7,800 participants annually in
continuing executive education classes. Its Center for Family Enterprise, one
of nine centers and institutes, provides research and development to integrate
family awareness, knowledge and skills into the university's degree programs,
applied research and executive education.



SOURCE  Center for Family Enterprise