HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 3, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- One of the highest missions of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is to provide a forum for it's over 10,000 members' collective voice to be heard. With this year's particularly crucial elections, there is no better venue for that activity than the 18th Annual PA Chamber Dinner.
To be held Monday September 23, 2002 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, the "Election Year Edition" of the PA Chamber Dinner will provide a full slate of political perspective: to help Commonwealth business leaders fully understand the critical nature of what's ahead, what it all means, what's likely to happen, how it will play out in November and a complete preview of the 2004 elections.
Media representatives are cordially invited to attend the Commonwealth's largest annual gathering of business and political leaders featuring over seven hours of inside political insight and perspective, including:
-- Political Keynote Address (2:30 p.m.) -- NBC Political Analyst
Tim Russert will provide insight and commentary on both the
Pennsylvania and federal scene, including: a complete mid-term
referendum on the Bush administration and what to expect in 2004.
-- Gubernatorial Candidates Forum (3:15 p.m.) -- With most governors
serving two terms, this is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to hear
where the final two candidates stand on critical business issues
just weeks away from Election Day. Moderated by NBC's
Tim Russert.
-- A Celebration Of Excellence -- Mistress of Ceremonies WGAL's Kim
Lemon will preside over the evening's festivities, which will
honor the PA Chamber's second-ever recipient of the Ben Franklin
Award For Distinguished Leadership in the Commonwealth as well as
the Chamber's Outstanding Pennsylvania Community.
-- Featured Evening Entertainment -- Straight from the halls of
Congress, America's leading political satirists, the Capitol Steps
will take center stage to cap off the "Election Year Edition" of
the Chamber Dinner with their own bipartisan brand of music and
comedy.
"As the recognized political voice of business in the Commonwealth, it makes perfect sense for the Pennsylvania Chamber to bring together Pennsylvania business leaders and legislators to focus on the major election issues impacting us both now and in the future," said PA Chamber President Floyd Warner. "This annual tradition gives our members an exclusive opportunity to meet lawmakers face-to-face and honor both business and community leaders who have taken extraordinary steps towards improving the Commonwealth's business climate."
With over 10,000 members representing every county in the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is the state's largest broad-based business association and the fastest-growing state chamber in the United States.