Business Leaders Eye Early Childhood to Move America Toward Economic Recovery

National convening in Colorado engages public, private sectors in the business
of early learning

TELLURIDE, Colo., Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 100 business
and government leaders will meet next week at the third annual Telluride
Economic Summit on Early Childhood Investment to highlight the critical role
proven programs supporting young children play in strengthening the nation's
economy. The event, hosted by the Partnership for America's Economic Success
and the Telluride Foundation, will be held September 20-22, in Telluride, CO.

The Summit will focus on building effective state and national business
coalitions that push for proven early childhood policies. Rigorous science and
hard data show that these investments are fundamental to achieving a globally
competitive workforce and fiscal sustainability for states and the nation.

"When states invest in early childhood, they provide a better foundation for
children's education and adult success. In these difficult economic times, it
is even more important to invest in a healthier, more educated population and
one that is better prepared to compete in the global economy," said Colorado
Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien, a keynote speaker at the Summit, and longtime
champion of economic development strategies that include programs for young
children.

Research shows that children who enter kindergarten ready to succeed grow up
to be the workers who help businesses prosper, and the good neighbors who help
communities thrive.

Evidence shows that quality early childhood programs have produced stronger
economic development results over the long-run -- on GDP, job growth and
earnings -- than traditional business tax subsidies. For more details about
these findings, visit www.PartnershipForSuccess.org.

"Now more than ever, leaders recognize that investing in children is investing
in our future economic success," said Ecolab Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer Doug Baker. "The Summit gives us the tools we need
to turn a 'business case' for early learning into an actionable plan -- and
ultimately greater opportunity and success for all of our children."

Additional speakers at this year's summit include The HonorableMichael Bennet,
United States Senator, Colorado; The Honorable Jared Polis, United States
Congressman, Colorado 2nd District; Major General James W. Comstock, United
States Army Reserve; Mr. Zack Neumeyer, Chairman of the Board, Sage
Hospitality; and Mr. Michael Mandel, Chief Economist, BusinessWeek.
Participants include executives from the financial, education and public
policy sectors, among others. An agenda and full list of speakers is available
at www.PartnershipForSuccess.org.

Rob Dugger, managing partner of Hanover Investment Group and Partnership board
chairman, said, "Effective human capital development is the core of our
nation's economy and is firmly rooted in early childhood. Getting that right
is essential to our success."

"Science tells us public policies benefiting young children are a boon to our
nation's economic future," said Partnership director and senior officer at The
Pew Charitable Trusts Sara Watson. "Business leaders are powerful and
effective advocates for these initiatives; our mission is to arm them with
credible research and technical assistance, and connect them with peers, so
they can continue pushing for smart early childhood investments in their home
states."

In addition to the national Summit, the Partnership is providing financial
and/or technical support for 21 state-level business leader summits this year
-- from Alaska to Florida -- that will bring together thousands of executives
interested in improving their local workforces and the national economy
through proven early childhood policies.

The Partnership for America's Economic Success is a coalition of economists,
policy experts and advocates mobilizing business leaders to improve tomorrow's
economy through smart policy investments in young children today. The
Partnership is managed by The Pew Charitable Trusts. For more information,
please visit www.PartnershipforSuccess.org.

The Telluride Foundation exists to create a stronger Telluride community
through the promotion and support of philanthropy. It is a nonprofit,
apolitical community foundation that provides year-round support for local
organizations involved in arts, education, athletics, charitable causes, land
conservation and other community-based efforts through technical assistance,
education and grant making. For more information on the Telluride Foundation,
visit www.telluridefoundation.org.

SOURCE Partnership for America's Economic Success

Margie M. Newman of the Partnership for America's Economic Success,
+1-202-552-2230, mnewman@pewtrusts.org