Breakfast Plenary | 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Creating a Workforce for a 21st Century Global Economy

The Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce predicts that without immediate changes to our higher education system, our economy will be short five million workers by 2020. Eliminating this gap is vital if we are going to maintain a competitive edge in a 21st Century global economy. Strong and effective higher education systems and workforce development strategies are not only critical for meeting the needs of the labor market, but also to strengthen the economic prosperity of workers, businesses, and entire communities. Education and workforce development partnerships are essential components of regional economic engines, serving as centers of innovation, providing customized training for employers, and creating the business leaders of tomorrow. In this plenary session, policymakers will explore innovative and strategic policies that are driving Latino success in education and in the labor market. 

Host: Helios Education Foundation

Luncheon Plenary – June 20, 2019 | 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

The U.S. Economy Beyond 2019: Boom or Bust?

As the nation prepares for the next Presidential Election in 2020, the state of the U.S. economy is sure to command significant attention. 2018 was a year of economic growth in our country as millions of jobs were added, consumers spent more, and companies invested in inventories; while, so far, the economy in 2019 is presenting some challenges and lower expectations. As economists crunch the numbers for 2020 forecasts and beyond, there are possible signs of a slowdown and eventually a downturn. Many experts agree that the headwinds facing the U.S. economy are growing stronger and more numerous. Financial markets zig-zagging, the rise in federal debt, increasing trade tariffs and structural unemployment all present reasons to worry. This plenary discussion will provide an overview of the current state of the U.S. economy, discuss the fiscal outlook for state and local governments, and will highlight economic strategies that can help strengthen and improve the fiscal sustainability of states and local economies. 

Host: Wells Fargo

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

NALEO Presidential Candidate Forum

Opening Remarks: Mr. Cesar Conde, Chairman, NBCUniversal International Group & NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises 

• • Former U.S. HUD Secretary Julián Castro
• • U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar
• • U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders
• • U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren
• • U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell
• • Former U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke
• • Former Governor John Hickenlooper
• • Mayor Pete Buttigieg