Former governor to speak to group

From Staff Reports
Former three-time Michigan governor and current president of the National Association of Manufacturers John Engler will be the keynote speaker at an annual awards and dinner meeting for the Manufacturers’ Association of Central Pennsylvania.

The event will be held on May 20 at the Williamsport Genetti Hotel and Convention Center. The banquet is open to the general public.

“Governor Engler is a big draw nationwide when he speaks about manufacturing,” said Bob Hickox, director of the regional manufacturers group. “We expect a big turn-out of members and non-members alike who wish to hear what he has to say about the state of manufacturing, especially in this election year.”

The association will also be giving out three manufacturing awards this year for the first time according to Hickox. The awards will be given to the large, medium, and small manufacturing businesses of the year.

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest industry trade group in the U.S., representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. As the group’s president, Engler is a leading advocate for the more than 14 million Americans employed directly in manufacturing, educating the public and policymakers on issues that affect this critical sector of the U.S. economy, according to a news release from the Central Pennsylvania group.

“He promotes a broad-based agenda for maintaining U.S. competitiveness by lifting unnecessary burdens on manufacturing: excessive taxation and regulation, the high cost of health care, expensive litigation and soaring energy costs,” the release states.

The Manufacturers’ Association of Central Pennsylvania represents over 20,000 employees and 180 businesses in the surrounding 11-county region. For additional information on the Manufacturers Association and prices of the dinner, please contact Robert Hickox at 570-322-9840 or email: bhickox@Manufacturerscentralpa.com.