The Charlotte Chamber of Commerce will lead a delegation of local business people to the White House on February 22. The group will meet with senior Administration officials to discuss how the private sector and government can collaborate more effectively to foster greater opportunity, innovation and job creation.

“This is a great opportunity for Charlotte’s business community. It’s a chance for us to share firsthand what’s working here and what’s needed to further stimulate job growth,” says Charlotte Chamber President Bob Morgan.

More than 20 business leaders representing a diverse cross-section of Charlotte’s economy will comprise the group. Leaders from key industry sectors include:   

• Energy - Mark Pringle, Siemens
• Public Policy - Walter Price, Moore & Van Allen
• Health care - Susan DeVore, Premier
• Entrepreneurship - Dan Roselli, Packard Place and Paul Solitario, Cerium Capital

Pringle says one of the top issues he hopes they’ll discuss is the need for a skilled workforce in high tech manufacturing jobs. “Not just that – we need to talk about rail transportation of large products, reducing the import duties on material used for products manufactured in the U.S. to be exported, and how to create ways to make it easier for local suppliers to get started,” he added.

Entrepreneur Dan Roselli sees the trip as a prime time to tout Charlotte's evolving economic climate. "The Charlotte entrepreneurial community is collaborating in a way it never has before to create jobs and economic growth for our region," he says. "From the chamber to UNC Charlotte and Ben Craig to Packard Place and the City of Charlotte, this entrepreneurial coordination is making Charlotte one of the most dynamic entrepreneurial regions in the country. “

This isn' t the first time the chamber has been invited to the White House and it almost certainly will not be the last. Democrat or Republican, Public Policy Chief Natalie English says the trip's mission is clear; "The chamber’s goal is to maintain a dialogue with elected and government leaders that leads to job growth.  We’ve had similar opportunities during previous administrations. As Charlotte continues to grow, our business leaders will remain important to the current and future administrations.”