BUSINESS CONFERENCE, SUPPLIER TRADE SHOW SET HERE IN APRIL; PRODUCTS, SERVICES TO HIGHLIGHT TRADE SHOW

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- John J. ("Jack") Stack is no stranger to the business world.

The president of Springfield Remanufacturing Corp. (SRC), Springfield, has been featured in `Fortune' magazine in its "People to Watch" column; and `INC' magazine where he was identified as a member of the INC. start-up, all-stars "Dream Team."

His company, which remanufactures gasoline and diesel engines for the automotive, truck and off-highway markets, has also been featured in INC.

Stack, who started as a mail boy in the company which was to become SRC, will be keynote speaker for the one-day, Supplier Trade Conference, to be held here April 23.

Speakers during the 9 a.m. session of the conference will include Carl M. Koupal Jr., director of the Missouri Economic Development; Dr. Kala Stroup, president of Southeast Missouri State University; Gene Rhodes, Cape Girardeau mayor; and Robert Hendrix, president of Chamber of Commerce.

Stack will be the luncheon speaker, at 12:15 p.m.

Manufacturers and suppliers will have an opportunity to introduce their products and services to a number of companies during a one-day conference.

Purchasing agents from universities, defense contractors, corporations, wholesalers and government agencies will be on hand to view company products.

"This conference will provide a unique opportunity for companies to display their products," Judy Moss, Economic Development Director at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce. Economic Development Director at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce. "We'll have booths and tables available to display products and catalog displays. We really encourage area businesses to participate."

Moss told the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Wednesday that the conference would also give businesses, suppliers and manufacturers a better idea of what type of products and services are currently in demand.

Panelist from major purchasing organizations will present information to conference participants regarding types of goods and services they are seeking.

"The conference will be divided into `tracks' of similar businesses," said Moss. "The conference is structured so there will be time for participants to view other exhibits."

A total of eight `tracks' have been planned, with five of them starting at 9:30 a.m., and four at 11 a.m.

Several area firms are included in the lengthy list of participant:

Manufacturing I: Emerson Electric, Kennett; Briggs & Stratton, Poplar Bluff; Dana Corporation, Cape Girardeau; Noranda Aluminum, New Madrid.

Manufacturing II: General Sign, Cape; Flat River Glass, Flat River; Gates Rubber, Poplar Bluff; Biltbest Windows, Ste. Genevieve; and Procter & Gamble, Cape.

Wholesale, Retail, Service; Six Flags Over Mid-America, Eureka; Drury Industries, Cape; ServiceMaster Food Management Service, Richardson, Texas; and Cybertel, Cape.

Agribusiness; Malone & Hyde, Sikeston; Busch Agricultural Resources, Inc., Jonesboro, Ark.; Fisherman's Net, Cape; Stone Hill Winery, Hermann; and Office of Administration, Division of Food Purchasing, Jefferson City.

Exporting; The Global Marketplace: U.S. Department of Commerce; Missouri Department of Economic Development, International Trade; Missouri Rural Innovation Institute, UM-Columbia; Magnetic Collectables, Cape.

Government Procurement/Government Prime Contractors: Missouri Office of Administration, Division of Purchasing, Jefferson City; Missouri Department of Economic Developoment, Procurement Section; Southwest Mobile Systems, St. Louis; McDonnell Douglas Missile Systems, St. Louis.

Recovered Materials: The Doe Run Co., Resource Recycling Division (town name?); McKinley Iron, St. Louis; Louisiana Pacific Corp., St. Louis; River City Marketing, St. Louis.

Universities and hospitals: Missouri Hospital Purchasing Council, Jefferson City; Southeast Missouri State University, Cape; Health Service Corporation of America, St. Louis/Cape; VA Medical Center, Poplar Bluff; and University of Missouri Systems-Columbia.

A wine and cheese reception will be hosted by the Missouri Department of Agriculture April 22, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Glenn House, 325 S. Spanish in downtown Cape Girardeau.

A networking opportunity reception, sponsored by District 8 of the Missouri Industrial Development Council, will follow the day-long meeting.

Additional information is available by contacting Moss at 335-3312.