Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler will be the guest speaker at an industry luncheon April 2 hosted by the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission as part of Albany-Dougherty Industry Celebration Week.

“The Georgia Department of Labor is one of our main partners in business recruitment, retention and expansion, and we’re thrilled that Commissioner Butler will be in Albany to share the valuable assistance provided by the agency,” said Ted Clem, CEcD, president of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission. “We encourage all local and regional businesses and leaders to take advantage of the opportunity to hear from Commissioner Butler.”

The luncheon will be Monday, April 2, at the Hilton Garden Inn Albany, with networking at 11:30 a.m. and the program from noon-1 p.m. The event is $25 per person, or $200 for a table of eight. Reservations may be made by phone with Suzanne McKinney at 229.434.0044.

Butler, of Carrolton, was elected to the labor post in 2010 and oversees a staff of 4,000. He previously was a member of the Georgia General Assembly.

The Georgia Department of Labor works with public and private partners in building a world-class work force system that contributes to Georgia's economic prosperity. It does this by helping individuals attain their work goals and increase self-sufficiency through employment, training, comprehensive rehabilitation and support services; and by helping employers meet their business needs through employee recruitment and selection services, work force information and technical support.

The department consists of a variety of divisions and offices: employment services; unemployment insurance; work force development; rehabilitation services; safety engineering; and work force statistics and economic research. The department operates 53 career centers and 53 vocational rehabilitation program offices throughout the state.

Other Industry Celebration Week events are:

• Tuesday, April 3: Masters of Industry Business After Hours, 5 p.m.- 7 p.m., Doublegate Country Club, Albany. Free
• Wednesday, April 4: EDC Industry Awards Rise n Shine breakfast and mayoral proclamation, 7:30 a.m., Hilton Garden Inn Albany. $20.