DETROIT, February 10, 2012-TechTown President and CEO Leslie Smith today joined a delegation of 30 business leaders in Detroit to participate in a small business roundtable at the White House in Washington, DC.  The half-day business leader discussion was organized by the White House Business Council and Business Forward on Friday, February 10, 2012.  Representatives from NextEnergy, Digerati, the Detroit Regional Chamber and other Detroit-based companies and non-for-profits were invited to attend.  The purpose: to stimulate a meaningful dialogue about the challenges and opportunities associated with economic revitalization in Southeast Michigan and other urban areas nationwide.

"This roundtable sets the stage for Detroiters to demonstrate to federal officials that we have a cadre of committed professionals who are effectively collaborating to move the region's economic agenda forward," said Leslie Smith, president and CEO of TechTown. "In seven short years, TechTown, along with its partners, has achieved a culture and paradigm shift toward economic independence through the lens of entrepreneurship.  Over the next several years, TechTown will intentionally collaborate with these and other partners to change the face of Detroit's economy in emerging industrial markets." 

The agenda for the meeting will encompass both analysis and proposed action.  Following an economic briefing, administration officials and business leaders will discuss job creation and business expansion, specific policies and "partnering for action." 

According to Business Forward organizer Tim Ossowski, "This forum will build upon an important conversation: soliciting input and perspective from Detroit business and civic leaders on employment, the economy and job creation."

Ossowski noted that senior administration officials will attend the forum to provide an overview of current efforts to spur economic growth.  They will also shed light on Administration priorities, broadly speaking, for the metro Detroit business leaders in attendance. The roundtable, he explained, will cover a range of topics as they relate to the Detroit business community and the economy including: innovation and open government; access to capital; health care; energy; education and immigration.

Recent past participants have included Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett; Assistant to the President Michael Strautmanis; Gene Sperling, Director, National Economic Council; Nancy Ann Deparle, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President; Cass Sunstein, Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs; Aneesh Chopra, Chief Technology Officer to the President; Dr. Rebecca Blank,  Under Secretary of Commerce; Greg Nelson, Deputy Director, White House Office of Public Engagement; Ari Matusiak, Executive Director of the White House Business Council.

About Business Forward

America's most respected companies have come together to help bring more business leaders into the policymaking process. At the core of Business Forward's activities is a series of roundtables and briefings taking place around the country. Since, the 4th quarter of 2009, the organization has worked with more than 100 Administration officials to brief business leaders in over 45 cities across 31 states on economic recovery and exports, energy security, education, healthcare and immigration reform, IT innovation & cybersecurity, and open government.  In 2012, Business Forward partnered with the White House Business Council to launch a Business Leader Briefing series at the White House. Business Forward believes business leaders play a particularly important role in policy debates because they understand the importance of looking at the long-term - and because employers are among the first to suffer from the competitive challenges that face America's economy today. On the web: http://www.businessfwd.org/

About TechTown

TechTown is a community of passionate, diverse people and businesses driven by an entrepreneurial spirit to pursue extraordinary opportunities. Entrepreneurs join TechTown to gain guidance and get connected with resources needed for success. TechTown offers entrepreneurs unique access to Wayne State University's research, academic and technology assets.

By reigniting an entrepreneurial culture, TechTown is fueling business growth, job creation and the revitalization of Detroit's Midtown and beyond.

Learn more about TechTown at http://techtownwsu.org/.