Business outlook conference

The Ventura County Economic Development Association will focus on what issues businesses face in the 21st century at its 37th annual Business Outlook Conference, "The 21st Century Express: Building a Competitive Edge Through Innovation and Excellence," from 8 a.m. to noon Friday, Oct. 19 at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza , 880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., followed by a buffet breakfast. The cost to attend is $125 for association members and $150 for nonmembers.

Speakers include Peter Leyden, director of the New Politics Institute; Sunne Wright McPeak, president and CEO of the California Emerging Technology Fund and former secretary of business, transportation and housing; Mike Hernick, associate director of external business development for Procter and Gamble; and Ron Rowen of RJR & Associates.

For more information about the conference, call (805) 3883457 or visit www.vceda.org.