'Business Without Borders' focus of economic development event

Nearly 200 state and local officials and business owners are expected Thursday, Dec. 13, at the 17th annual meeting of the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development.

The meeting – with the theme, "Business Without Borders" — is being held at the Lake Opechee Inn and Spa conference center in Laconia.

Keynote speaker will be Joe Phillips, head of the New York office of OCO Global, an international development consultancy firm headquartered in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He will speak about strategies for attracting business.

Two panel discussions will highlight business recruitment in the Granite State and international trade opportunities available that will help businesses explore and expand their overseas markets.

Panelists on the recruitment panel include Patrick Clark, president of BurstPoint Networks of Merrimack, which moved to New Hampshire in August; Marie Vaillant, president of Kheops International in Colebrook, which opened in 2004, and Jamie Coughlin of abi Hub in Manchester.

The international trade panel will include Michael Barrett of Tech Resources in Milford; Justin Oslowski, director of the Durham office of U.S. Commercial Service, and Dr. Massood Samii, chairman of the international business department at Southern New Hampshire University.

The day concludes with an awards presentation, honoring several businesses for lifetime achievement, teamwork and company of the year. Governor-elect Maggie Hassan will be on hand for the presentations.

For more information, visit www.nheconomy.com or call Lorna Colquhoun, communications director for the Division of Economic Development at 603-271-2341.