Washington Policy Center's 2005 Statewide Small Business Conference, presented with Verizon, Association of Washington Business, National Federation of Independent Business, Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, the Independent Business Association, and over 40 other organizations will be held Thursday, November 17th at the SeaTac Hilton from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

The Conference will be an opportunity for small business owners from across the state to offer their solutions to the state's most pressing business climate problems. Attendees will participate in several workshops tackling issues such as the rising cost of health care, unemployment insurance, transportation solutions, tax reform and workers' compensation.

A lunch keynote address by Governor Gregoire will allow small business owners to hear the governor's plans to improve the state's small business climate and take questions from small business owners.

The Conference will also feature panel discussions with many of the heads of state agencies, whose rules and regulations interact and affect the business climate. Near the conclusion of the Conference, results from the breakout sessions will be released and those recommendations will be summarized and released to the state legislature in early January 2006.

The cost of attending the Conference is $45 and includes breakfast, lunch, all sessions, and conference material. A lunch-only option is $30. There is no charge for media to attend.