DURHAM, N.H. - The face of New Hampshire is changing and will shape the state's future, creating new challenges for business, higher education, and state policy makers.

Ken Johnson, senior demographer with the Carsey Institute and professor of sociology at University of New Hampshire, will discuss these issues at a New Hampshire Forum on the Future event Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011, at the Bedford Village Inn. Johnson's presentation, "Demographic Shifts Shaping NH's Future," begins at 8 a.m. Breakfast will be served.

Johnson will discuss how demographic shifts in New Hampshire's population are shaping the state's future, including how the recession has impacted demographic trends. He also will discuss the makeup of the migrant population, myths about New Hampshire demographics, how the Granite State compares to other states in the Northeast, and the demographic challenges the state will face.

Following Johnson's presentation, a panel of leading business, higher education, and public policy representatives will respond. The panel includes Ed MacKay, chancellor, University System of New Hampshire; Steve Norton, executive director, NH Center for Public Policy; Mark Poirier, president, NH Precision Metal Fabricators, Inc.; and Andrea Pruna, marketing officer, St. Mary's Bank.

Registration for this event is $25. To register, visit http://www.certain.com/system/profile/form/index.cfm?PKformID=0x1034494a62a. If paying by check please remit to NHCUC at 3 Barrell Court, Suite 100, Concord, NH 03301. For directions to the Bedford Village Inn, visit http://www.bedfordvillageinn.com/map-directions/.

The New Hampshire Forum on the Future brings together leaders from higher education, business, and public policy to explore the key question: What are the future educational, social, technological, environmental, cultural and economic realities, challenges, and opportunities facing the state of New Hampshire, and how can we best prepare for our collective future?

The forum, which is a joint venture of the NH College & University Council and the NH High Technology Council, serves as the cornerstone for generating responses to these critical questions. For more information, visit http://www.nhfuture.org/index.asp.

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling 12,200 undergraduate and 2,300 graduate students.

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