The Indiana Chamber was pleased to take an active role in the state’s Hoosier Huddle event on Friday at Butler University’s famed Hinkle Fieldhouse.
The gathering, which welcomed contingents from all over the state, focused on the key elements of The Hoosier Playbook, a resource guide to build awareness of state programs and initiatives. Among the session topics: solutions for affordable housing, improving Hoosier Health, place building and storytelling, what’s next on the information highway and a literacy update.
The event kicked off with a welcome from Butler President James Danko and a fireside chat featuring Gov. Eric Holcomb and Chamber President and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders, which was moderated by Marce King, CEO of the Owen County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development. Sinders stressed the Chamber’s enhanced focus on partnerships and being a convener for key issues that impact the state’s business community and workforce. All of which ties back to the organization’s visioning plan, Indiana Prosperity 2035, that seeks to make the state an even greater place for businesses to operate and for people to live, work and visit.
Jason Bearce, Chamber vice president of education and workforce development, moderated a panel on college and career preparedness featuring Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Higher Education Commissioner Chris Lowery and Indiana Department of Workforce Development Commissioner Richard Paulk. Meanwhile, Jennifer Pferrer, the executive director of our Wellness Council of Indiana, led a discussion on mental health and substance use services alongside Doug Huntsinger, the state’s executive director for drug prevention, treatment and enforcement.
The Wellness Council and Institute for Workforce Excellence also had welcome attention in the exhibitor hall and interacted with numerous attendees to share the benefits of both Chamber efforts.
Rebecca Patrick is senior vice president of communications and marketing for the Indiana Chamber. She is also the editor of the Chamber’s award-winning BizVoice magazine.
