MAY EVENTS - 2008

May 13-14, 2008 - Go Global or Get Left Behind! - Rockford

This two-day seminar with workshops is designed to explain and enhance the global competitiveness of small and mid-size companies currently conductingor wanting to do business internationally. We expect participants to leave with ideas and contacts that are useful for growing their business. This two-day seminar offers educational opportunities for those companies new to export or currently considering international trade (May 13th- day #1) and for those already involved in import or international trade (May 14th- day #2). Sponsored in part by SupplyCore, US Bank, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the US Commercial Service. Venue: NIU, 8500 E. State St., Rockford, IL. For more details contact patrick.hope@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov  or  visit: http://www.rockfordil.com/2008/02/07/GoGlobal/ 

May 15, 2008: Exporting for Growth Seminar - Rosemont

Presented by UPS in collaboration with the U.S. Commercial Service, this seminar is geared specifically toward small and mid-size companies. Faster sales growth, competitive advantages, and financial success are some of the benefits companies experience by engaging in global trade. More than 70 percent of the world’s purchasing power lies beyond U.S. borders. If you aren’t reaching this population, your competitors will be. And you don’t have to be a large company - more than two-thirds of U.S. exporters have fewer than 20 employees. Exporting for Growth will bring together global trade experts to show you the tools for growing your business across borders. Hear lessons learned from successful entrepreneurs; get your questions answered by customs brokerage, finance, transportation and technology experts; and set up one-on-one consultations with local U.S. Commercial Service trade experts. Designed for interaction, the seminar format will engage the audience and provide answers to your questions on what export markets to target, customs clearance, transportation solutions, and more. Venue: Stephens Convention Center, 5555 North River Road, Rosemont; Price: free. Register at: http://www.pressroom.ups.com/exportgrowth

May 17 – 20, 2008: National Restaurant Association (NRA) Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show - Chicago

Visitors from over 115 countries will be in attendance at the Western Hemisphere's largest foodservice and hospitality event, NRA Show 2008 - the world's most comprehensive look at the trends and technologies shaping the restaurant industry. Supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Buyer Program (IBP), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. companies are invited to meet one-on-one with U.S. Commercial Service Commercial Specialists attending the show from Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Ireland, Jordan, Mexico, Pakistan, Qatar, and Venezuela. Commercial Specialists from these markets are available to discuss with your company export market development for U.S. hotel/restaurant equipment products to these international markets, applicable market and product regulatory issues, and to help you learn what opportunities exist in each market for your products and services. A representative of the U.S. Export-Import Bank will also be available to discuss export financing options and export credit insurance. To schedule meeting, please register at http://www.buyusa.gov/eme/nra2008.html. Registration deadline is Wednesday, May 7, 2008. For questions, please contact Chicago International Trade Specialist Jeff Graber, who will be attending the exhibition, and can be reached at 312-353-7711 or jeffrey.graber@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

May 19, 2008: Attracting International Students to Illinois - Chicago

The Study Illinois international education consortium will host its fifth annual conference on attracting international students to Illinois. Over 25,000 international students currently study in Illinois, contributing more than $600 million annually to the state's economy. Our featured speakers will be six U.S. State Department-affiliated overseas education advisers from Brazil, Egypt, India, Jamaica, Pakistan, and Thailand. They will speak on the latest higher education trends in their home countries and what students there are looking for in a study abroad experience. After the presentations, each adviser will man a country information booth, and attendees will have the opportunity to visit with the advisers individually. The conference is supported by the U.S. Commercial Service - Chicago Office, the International Trade Association of Greater Chicago, and the Illinois Office of Trade and Investment. 1:30-5:00 p.m. at Loyola University Watertower Campus, Kasbeer Hall, 25 E Pearson,15th floor, Chicago. $10 for Study IL members; $20 for non-members. For registration, contact: Debra Rogers at 312-353-6988 or debra.rogers@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

May 20, 2008, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm CST: China's Publishing Industry - Market Opportunities & Regulatory Challenges - Webinar

Explore China's book and publishing industry.  Learn about what sells, who buys, and how to navigate the restrictive environment of state owned enterprises, regulations and piracy. Receive a detailed market research report not yet released to the public as part of your registration. Supported by the US Commercial Service's Publishing Team. Information: http://www.buyusa.gov/asianow/china_publishingwebinar.html

May 22, 2008 - The 2008 National Summit on American Competitiveness - Chicago

The 2008 National Summit on American Competitiveness will convene the nation's premier leaders of business, government and academia on what steps the public and private sectors can take to secure America's position as the most competitive economy in the 21st century and beyond. Hosted by Carlos M. Gutierrez, U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Honorary Co-Chairmen, Richard M. Daley, Mayor, City of Chicago and Ronald J. Gidwitz, Former CEO, Helene Curtis. Confirmed participants - Haley Barbour, Governor of Mississippi, Craig Barrett, Chairman of the Board, Intel, Maria Bartiromo, Anchor, CNBC, Steve Chen, Co-Founder and CTO, YouTube, John Engler, President, National Association of Manufacturers, John Koten, CEO and Editor In Chief, Mansueto Ventures, Steve Odland, Chairman and CEO, Office Depot, Jim Owens, Chairman and CEO, Caterpillar and Henry M. Paulson, Jr., U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. Venue - Fairmont Hotel, 200 North Columbus Dr., Chicago, Illinois 60601. Full speaker list and registration details visit: http://www.americancompetitiveness.com/

JUNE EVENTS - 2008

June 25-27, 2008: U.S.-Africa Agribusiness Forum - Chicago

Conference sponsored by The Corporate Council on Africa, the Forum will bring together the U.S. and African public and private sectors to discuss the minimization of investment risk and identify projects and mechanisms to expand their investment portfolio through agribusiness. Topics include: Agribusiness – Anchoring African Markets; Tree Crops – Industries Improving Supply-chains; Project Finance Support from U.S. Agencies; Certification to Strengthen Value-chains; U.S. Agribusiness Operations in Africa – Improving Supply Risk Management; Expanding Dairy Markets in Africa; Africa’s Regional Economic Communities – Larger Markets for Investment; Africa’s Forestry, Carbon Trading and Climate Change; Growing the Grain Industry in Africa; Infrastructure Networks – New Investments to Build Markets; Commodity Markets – Shaping the Future of African Agribusiness; Trade Logistics – Air Cargo, Sea, Trucking; Expanding Rice Production in Africa; Food Security Driven by Agricultural Inputs and Farming Technology; Financing – Development & Challenges. Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 East Wacker Drive, Chicago. CCA Members - $500; Non-members - $700; Government -

$330. For information & registration, please call Joyce Cacho at 202/263-3506; e-mail: agribizforum@N0SPAM.africacncl.org ; or see: http://www.africacncl.org.

JULY EVENTS - 2008

July 30, 2008: 5^th U.S.-Africa Trade and Investment Forum

- Chicago

Organized by the Continental Africa Chamber of Commerce USA annually by inviting both policy makers, private sector, Business Operators and Bankers from Africa and the U.S. for the sole purpose of promoting Trade and Investments. The participation of Heads of States and their Ministers with a cross section of their private sector groups from their countries and the U.S. will undoubtedly help to promote Africa in this rich region with what is needed in Africa including promoting the AGOA policy of U.S.A. in Africa. Officials from the U.S. Export Assistance Center, The Commercial Service and ExIm Bank will review their programs and services that assist companies interested in doing business in Africa. This event will be held at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Entrance 2, Lobby 3, 3^rd Floor, Meeting Room 328. CACC Members - $150; Non-Members - $250. Registration required. Sponsorship and advertisement opportunities are available. For information & registration, please see www.continentalacc.org; email: info@N0SPAM.continentalacc.org or call Ganiyu Dada or Jackie Lawal at 312-987-1892.

AUGUST EVENTS - 2008

August 17-19, 2008: Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF) - Atlanta, Georgia

The Forum will provide an opportunity for business-to-business and business-to-government discussions yielding practical actions that can be taken to improve competitiveness and economic prosperity in the Americas. The Americas Competitiveness Forum will provide a venue for government ministers from the Western Hemisphere to come together with leaders from the private sector, academia, and non-governmental organizations, to explore cutting edge ideas and best practices in several key areas of competitiveness. The 2008 ACF will be held in partnership with the City of Atlanta and the International Training Center for Government Authorities (CIFAL Atlanta), a not-for profit organization created by the United Nations. Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin is the Chair of CIFAL Atlanta’s Board of Trustees, and she will co-host the ACF with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez. The ACF’s main tracks are:

• International Trade Logistics
• Market Opportunities in the Americas
• Environmental Sustainability
• Aliances in Business and Education

Register at: http://www.competitivenessforum.com. For questions, contact Monica Toporkiewicz at monica.toporkiewicz@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov , 312-353-8059. 

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Visit our partners' event calendars for additional international trade and policy-related events:

Alliance for Illinois Manufacturing - NORBIC Calendar

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs - Council Programs

The International Trade Association of Greater Chicago - ITA/GC Calendar

International Trade Club of Chicago - http://www.itcc.org

World Trade Center Illinois - WTCIL Calendar

For a complete listing of upcoming Domestic and International Trade Events supported by the U.S. Commercial Service, visit the Trade Events Calendar.