Malloy to Plug Connecticut in Switzerland
by CTNewsjunkie Staff | Jan 19, 2012 5:03pm
(15) Comments | Commenting has expired
Posted to: Business, Jobs
(Updated) Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Thursday he will be traveling to Davos, Switzerland to participate in the annual World Economic Forum where he plans to promote the state’s bio-science initiatives.
The governor was invited to the event, which will take place from Jan. 25 to Jan. 29. The UConn Foundation will pay for Malloy to attend at a cost of about $4,500, according to a press release. Because Malloy was invited to attend he doesn’t have to pay the hefty $50,000 admission fee.
“I’ve been invited to participate in three panels and I intend to scramble to make sure that people are aware that Connecticut’s open for business,” he said after an unrelated press conference.
“I want people to understand that Connecticut has attributes that many other states don’t have and specifically with a concentration on precision manufacturing and aerospace and what that represents,” he said.
Malloy said the conference will give him a chance to talk with international leaders about the manufacturing industry as well as the state’s recent deal to bring Maine-based Jackson Labs to a new facility at the UConn Health Center in Farmington.
“I want to use this opportunity to make sure people know that Connecticut has a major bio-science initiative, which has already garnered some international recognition specifically around the issue of Jackson Labs,” he said.
The governor said he believes the state is on its way to becoming a leader in the bio-science field.
The conference will be attended by more than 2,600 people from close to 100 different countries. Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Catherine Smith will also be attending the event. Malloy said he believed Daniel Esty, commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection was going “in his own capacity.”
Malloy will also be attending a private industry meeting called “Manufacturing for Growth.” The meeting will include executives from the manufacturing and supply chain industries as well as policy-makers, the press release said.
Before he goes Malloy may want to read the BBC’s “Beginners’ Guide to Davos.”
Written by Tim Weber the guide recommends bringing warm clothes and plenty of business cards.
“The biggest problem for a newcomer is to avoid being overwhelmed,” Weber writes. “More than 280 official sessions have been crammed into five days, and then there is the lure of dozens of private parties and networking events every day.”
And while Malloy is going to Switzerland to promote Connecticut, there are some who are questioning the timing of the trip.
“And once again, when the going gets tough the Governor gets going — this time, he’s off to Washington tomorrow for a union gala and next week to Davos, Switzerland for an exclusive $20,000 gathering at a luxurious Swiss ski resort,” GOP Chairman Jerry Labriola Jr. said in a statement. “The governor’s appreciation for travel makes Conrad Hilton look like a recluse.”
Labriola cited the recent consensus budget estimates with show Connecticut teetering on the verge of a $95 million deficit.
“The millions of over-taxed hardworking families of this state deserve better,” he said.
“Gov. Malloy spent the first 13 months of his term cleaning up the financial wreckage he inherited from the last two Republican Governors who, over the course of 16 years, hid the truth from the people of Connecticut about just how much trouble Connecticut was in. And in fact they made it worse,” Roy Occhiogrosso, Malloy’s senior communications advister countered. “Where is Connecticut today? Thanks to Gov. Malloy – and some very courageous legislators – the state is keeping its books honestly for the first time ever. ”
Tags: Malloy, Switzerland, world economic forum, jackson labs, bioscience
(15) Comments
posted by: Upset.Citizen | January 20, 2012 7:26am
Union gala…? Interesting… I wonder how much money will be in the brown paper bag they slip him? No wonder union members want to change unions!!!
This guy loves to travel so much I’m going to take up a collection so we can send him on a one way trip to any destination of his choice!
posted by: Reasonable | January 20, 2012 10:34am
Gov. Malloy follows in the foot-steps of his idol, Pre. Obama—who always goes out of the country—on a costly junket—when the going gets tough. Both Obama and Malloy—are taxpayer costly ESCAPE ARTISTS.
posted by: Noteworthy | January 20, 2012 11:07am
I agree with the GOP on this. Our free traveling gov is spending a lot of time on the professional visitation circuit. All of it worthless.
As for Oh No Occhio tired refrain about fixing our finances - uh Roy, baby, they are not fixed. Right now we are running a $100 million deficit and even if we were not, Malloy’s primary fix was nearly $3 billion in new taxes from the hard working middle class. Please don’t lecture us on how Malloy is a fix it guy. He didn’t fix anything - he shifted more of the problem on to the shoulders of the state’s taxpayers while making sure a whole swath of our neighbors live here for free.
posted by: Greg | January 20, 2012 11:27am
Malloy’s involvement will certainly have some folks curious about Connecticut as a place to do business…until they actually do their homework and realize that CT is a high cost, high tax, business unfriendly place. Then again, perhaps the State Corporate Welfare handouts to select employers may win someone over for a few years.
posted by: ... | January 20, 2012 11:38am
Congrats to Gov. Malloy. We are all well aware the economic environment we face today is highly globalized and inseparable. Rather than duck behind the covers of our national borders, cut every thing in sight we don’t have an attachment too, and withdraw humanitarian aid to nations in need, our leaders should be seeking out means of being competitive. The only way to act as such in a very slow recovery such as this is to appeal to an audience that crosses state lines and international borders (land or sea).
The fact that he was invited to the event is an indicator we have a Governor and a state that are making CT a viable hub or international economic activity, and in the long run, provide a new generation of careers and industries to fuel the CT economy, as well as our government infrastructure.
posted by: Noteworthy | January 20, 2012 2:30pm
Oh yes, Jones, CT is a bastion of business health, a real hub of innovation and international trade. We are fairly brimming with opportunities and business development. We can’t even lure a company here, who will hire no CT people or very few of them, without giving them hundreds of millions of dollars. Yes, I’m talking the Rat Farm. Loosen your tie, I think it might be starving your brain of oxygen.
posted by: Disgruntled | January 20, 2012 2:34pm
Another example of Dan’s interpretation of shared sacrifice.
Perkin-Elmer,Norden and RR Donnelly employees take note.
posted by: ... | January 20, 2012 4:29pm
Noteworthy, first and foremost, your personal attack against me and my appearence is both unwarranted and unrelated to the story at hand.
Second, I never called CT a bastion of anything, so do not try to put words in my mouth.
Finally, Check out the CBIAs report on CT growth and other reports recently produced. They not only indicates a modest, but not prideful expectation of growth (3.5-4%) in the state’s economy, they reflect this growth primarily as a result of growing exports from our state to international buyers. The Norwich Bulletin has more to say on this http://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/x551573347/CT-economy-forecast-to-grow-up-to-4-this-year#axzz1jrm60Hsz .
We are not perfect, but we can do better and work harder to fix these problems with ideas on both sides of the political aisle, and with the help of our business leaders (both large and small). We’ve lived through a few poor decades of growth and development, but that does not need to be the norm for decades to come.
posted by: Reasonable | January 20, 2012 5:04pm
JonessAC12: Your continual, pointed support of Gov. Malloy’s adventures—does not appear to expressed, by most comments from readers.
posted by: ... | January 20, 2012 6:53pm
Hit the nail (almost) right on the head there Reasonable, aside from a few confusing typos. I’m sure most people here want CT to be a better place. A place where net jobs are created, not lost. A place that other nations seek out for expertise in our specific industries and aid in remaking the middle class the bulk of the economic power.
Some will disagree with the methods, the means, the strategies. That is why we run based off of a largely 2 party system with a 3rd set of independent voices. These criticism and complaints are often soundly warranted, other times based on face value observations. But I would be surprised if anyone here were open to CT to stay stagnant, or worse, decline.
But I’m sure you would also agree that the opinions of 6 or so CT citizens (both positive and negative) does not represent the millions of our state either. Especially when those who engage in online debate are often more politically active and engaged in government than most.
posted by: Upset.Citizen | January 20, 2012 9:39pm
Acording to Bradleyairport.com
BDL doesn’t even have direct flights to Switzerland!
Yeah, we’re open for business… pat your head three times, rub your stomach, twirl around, six transfers and 13 hours later you will get here!
I wonder if Malloy will subsidize the use of JFK for these suckers? The busway contracts went to MA companies… It’s only fair to spread CT tax payer money around evenly!
posted by: Disgruntled | January 22, 2012 9:50am
Now that the Malloy clan is fully employed,a trip to Switzerland is well deserved.
How many other governours were invited and will be attending? That was a very good question posted by someone here.
I find it odd that leaders of other states are too busy to engage in international travel. Jerry Brown,buried in GoldenState issues,but staying home and taking on the job.He leads a nation state but is he going to Davos?
Hopefully Dan will be joining the protesters and passing out literature that our $22MILLION tourist campaign will be generating in April. Note—our “competitor” RhodeIsland budget $700,000 annually to do the same.
Have a safe and sane trip Dan! Have some fondue for all of us!
“Occupy protesters are building an igloo camp in Davos, but few demonstrations are likely at the ski resort given stringent security measures, including exclusion zones around the main congress center and air patrols by armed fighter jets.”
posted by: Reasonable | January 22, 2012 11:47am
JonessAC12: You are the perpetual salesman for Gov. Dannel Malloy—in promoting him for making Connecticut—a better place to live, but why isn’t he?
You now have another the opportunity to engage your defensive mechanism for our Governor, that is really a smokescreen for incompetence.
Malloy could use you as a writer on his public relations staff.
posted by: ... | January 22, 2012 9:00pm
Define ‘better place to live’ first, and then we’ll go from there. Or you can just stick with the same phrases about me without solving a thing. Up to you.
For now though, an at least .6% drop in unemployment since his entrance to office is a step in the right direction, and has made CT a better place to live for the thousands who have found employment this past year.
posted by: Disgruntled | January 26, 2012 10:03am
I expect that Dan is pushing the CT. Wine Trail,if he is vertical in Davos.
“The forum organizes tastings, sometimes in the company of big-name producers. Several invitation-only events this week in Davos, taking place in private hotel bars rather than the main conference center, have been well attended.
To be sure, Silicon Valley types had to broaden their horizons beyond their beloved Napa Valley cabernets. On Tuesday night there was a “vertical” tasting of Chateau Margaux, allowing attendees to examine a number of vintages of this great Bordeaux.”