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How will public policies affect you and your business in 2005 and beyond? Hear some of the nation’s leading public policy experts discuss what lies ahead at the Heartland Emerging Issues Forum! The Emerging Issues Forum is a day-long conference featuring panel presentations by public policy experts from the nation’s leading free-market think tanks and advocacy groups. The focus is on anticipating issues and ideas that will play major roles in domestic public policy debates in 2005 and beyond. This Forum is a learning and networking opportunity for elected officials and their staff; journalists who cover public policy; government affairs and public affairs directors in businesses, trade associations, and civic organizations; investors and investment advisors; and concerned citizens. The Heartland Institute, the host of the conference, is a 20-year-old national nonprofit organization based in Chicago. Heartland is a free-standing “think tank” involving more than 100 academics and professional economists, 1,500 donors and members, 350 elected officials who serve on an advisory board, and a staff of 16 people devoted to “turning ideas into social movements that empower people.” Registration includes access to six panel presentations plus lunch with a special speaker. Following each panel is a breakout session during which audience members can meet with panelists in a small-group setting to carry on discussions started during the formal panels. A great opportunity to network with the experts and audience members. The Heartland Institute’s 20th Anniversary Benefit Following the Emerging Issues Forum, a chartered trolley bus will take guests six blocks south to the Chicago Hilton Hotel, 720 South Michigan Avenue, to attend The Heartland Institute’s 20th anniversary benefit dinner. Speakers at the gala event include the Wall Street Journal’s John Fund, CNN’s Robert Novak, and Heartland’s founder Dave Padden and president Joseph L. Bast. Live entertainment by Tim Dorsey will follow. The Anniversary Benefit takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Some 500 people attend this annual event, making Heartland’s anniversary benefits among the largest gatherings of free-market advocates in the country. Come prepared to enjoy fine food, good company, and excellent speakers. For more information, go to http://www.heartland.org/anniversary.htm.