The Ventura County Economic Development Association will focus on the issues businesses will 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, Fri., Oct. 19 at 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; Mike Hernick, associate director of business development for Procter and Gamble.

For more information,call (805) 388-3457.