| 8:00 |
Registration and Continental Breakfast |
| 9:00 |
Opening Plenary Session |
| 10:00 | Break |
| 10:30 | Concurrent Sessions |
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Session A - Eurasia: New Frontiers for U.S. Companies |
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Session Overview: This session will provide you with the insights and direction you need to take advantage of lucrative opportunities in a growing number of sectors in Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. Learn why Kazakhstan continues as one of Central Asia's most successful economies; how Russia's bilateral trade agreement impacts over 100 sectors of its economy; how to utilize Turkey's strategic position at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and the Middle East; and why Ukraine continues to be a pivotal market bordering Europe, Russia, and the Middle East. |
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| Speakers: | |
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Stuart Schaag, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Kazakhstan |
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| Day 1: Eurasia - Kazakhstan #1 (640KB) | |
| Dorothy Lutter, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Russia | |
| Day 1: Eurasia - Russia #2 (3442KB) | |
| James Fluker, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Turkey | |
| Day 1: Eurasia - Turkey #3 (2121KB) | |
| Richard Steffens, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Ukraine | |
| Day 1: Eurasia - Ukraine #4 (3783KB) | |
| Moderator: | |
| Eric Stewart, Senior Advisor to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce | |
| Partner, Strategic Public Partners | |
| Session B - Regionalization in the Nordics (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) | |
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Session Overview: The Nordic countries--Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden--are among the most dynamic and prosperous in the world, but their markets and untapped potential are often overlooked by American businesses. With highly educated, affluent, English-speaking consumers and positive perceptions of America, the Nordic region has a story worth telling. CS has established an easy one-stop-shopping approach to this market of 24.2 million persons with combined economies of more than $1 trillion (larger than those of Spain, Canada, Mexico and India), per capita GDP of $42,000 (equal to that of the United States), high and evenly distributed disposable income, high economic growth (exceeding the U.S. and the European average), and transparent, efficient societies. The Nordics are number one on the world's lists of most competitive, high-tech, and transparent economies. There are more multinationals per capita than in any other region in the world; selling to the Nordics can translate into selling to the world. Nokia, Ericsson, Statoil, Novoenzymes, Norsk Hydro, Absolute, ABB, Konecranes, AstraZeneca, Volvo, Saab, Hydro, Wartsila, and Telenor are just some of the firms representing business opportunities with multinationals. Come and learn about how easy it is to reach this great market. |
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| Speakers: | |
| Brian McCleary, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Finland | |
| Day 1: Finland #5 (4765KB) | |
| Keith Curtis, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Sweden | |
| Day 1: Norway - #6 (2874KB) | |
| Moderator: | |
| Blair Woodring, Business Development, Tioga Pipe Supply Company, Inc. | |
| Session C - Opportunities in Sub Saharan Africa | |
| Session Overview: The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), privatizations of African state-owned enterprises and other market forces have created tangible incentives for Sub-Saharan African countries. This session will also highlight how South Africa can offer a stepping-stone into Sub-Saharan Africa and realistic views on how you can tap into the established and prosperous export markets in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal. | |
| Speakers: | |
| Diane Jones, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Ghana | |
| Day 1 Opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa - Ghana #7 (194KB) | |
| Edward Yagi, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Kenya | |
| Day 1: Opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa - Kenya #8 (250KB) | |
| Hannah Kamenetsky, Acting SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Nigeria | |
| Day 1: Opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa - Nigeria #9 (5578KB) | |
| Cynthia Griffin Greene, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Senegal | |
| Day 1: Opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa - Senegal #10 (411KB) | |
| Craig Allen, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service South Africa | |
| Day 1: Opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa - South Africa #11 (454KB) | |
| Moderator: | |
| Lorraine Brennan, Esq., Partner, Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP | |
| Session D - Globalization: Be Open, but Protective - Intellectual Property Rights | |
| Session Overview: Globalization and the rapid proliferation of technology have elevated the importance of intellectual property protection (IPR) for U.S. companies. The intangible nature of intellectual property and the worldwide inconsistency of standard practices create challenges for U.S. businesses wishing to protect their inventions, brands, and business methods in foreign markets. This session will give you an understanding of the IPR issues in the European Union. | |
| Speakers: | |
| Randy Notzen, Esq., Vice President, The Webb Law Firm | |
| Day 1: IPR - Notzen #12 (718KB) | |
| Susan Wilson, Director, Office of Intellectual Property Protection, USDOC | |
| Speaker/Moderator: | |
| Ken Mouradian, Director, U.S. Commercial Service Orlando | |
| Noon | Lunch & Keynote |
| Keynote Speaker: | |
| Paul J. Ostling, Chief Operating Officer, Ernst & Young Global | |
| Day 1: Keynote Address - Ernst & Young #13 (549KB) | |
| 1:30 | Concurrent Sessions |
| Session E - Important Trends: Capitalizing on Europe's Evolving IT/Telecom Market | |
| Session Overview: Europe offers excellent opportunities in this dynamic sector for U.S. companies who have done their homework and identified a demand for their product or service. U.S. information technologies are the reference standard, and market receptivity is particularly high for computer hardware, software, and components, networking solutions, and fixed, wireless, and satellite-based mobile telecommunications. If you are new to the European market, you will need to know how and where to start. The IT sector touches many other end-use industries. Learn from the experts about these major opportunities and then make the decision if you are happy with your sales. | |
| Speakers: | |
| Catherine Houghton, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Austria | |
| Day 1: Europe IT - Austria #14 (1268KB) | |
| Camille Sailer, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Belgium | |
| Day 1: IT - Telecom - Belgium #15 (242KB) | |
| Brian McCleary, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Finland | |
| Day 1: IT/Telecom - Finland #16 (4935KB) | |
| Maria Andrews, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Serbia | |
| Day 1: IT/Telecom - Serbia #17 (311KB) | |
| Moderator: | |
| Jack Guarneri, Director International Operations, | |
| PARIS Technologies International, Inc. | |
| Day 1: IT/Telecom Moderator - #18 (275KB) | |
| Session F - EU Rules and Resources Generate U.S. Environmental Opportunities | |
| Session Overview: Europe represents one-third of the world's $550 billion and growing environmental market and is the U.S.'s largest environmental technologies (ET) export market. European Union (EU) environmental regulations are some of the toughest in the world and get more stringent each year. U.S. technology is needed to cost efficiently meet many EU standards. The EU is offering $4.2 billion in cohesion funds to new EU members to help them achieve EU environmental standards. U.S. companies are eligible to compete for this funding. The EU's environmental technologies market, therefore, represents one of our most significant under-penetrated export markets. This session will explore the vast opportunities in Europe as well as discuss the business opportunities for your environmental products and services. | |
| Speakers: | |
| Greg O'Connor, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Czech Republic | |
| Day 1: EU Environmental Rules - Czech Republic #19 (496KB) | |
| Patricia Gonzalez, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Hungary | |
| Day 1: EU Environmental Rules - Hungary #20 (272KB) | |
| James Wilson, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Spain | |
| Day 1: EU Environmental Rules - Spain #21 (737KB) | |
| Moderator: | |
| Nadia Abbott, Marketing Manager, Severn Trent Water Purification Co. | |
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Session G - Energy Opportunities For the Future - Electric Power, Coal, Oil, Gas/Emerging Renewable/Alternative - Part I: Perspective from Eastern Europe & Central Asia |
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| Session Overview: Europe's market for generation and distribution of all forms of energy is being liberalized, presenting significant opportunities for U.S. providers of technology, equipment, and other inputs. U.S. firms and their highly sought after products and services will find themselves to be very competitive. Europe’s energy needs are growing and you cannot afford to miss this session to learn about these tremendous market opportunities. In addition, the European Commission's strategy calls for a doubling of renewable energies in gross domestic energy consumption in the European Union by 2010 (from the present 6% to 12%) including a timetable of actions to achieve this objective in the form of an Action Plan. Join Session G/H at 3:30 after the break. | |
| Speakers: | |
| James Rigassio, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Bulgaria | |
| Day 1: Energy Part I - Bulgaria #22 (2410KB) | |
| Stuart Schaag, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Kazakhstan | |
| Day 1: Energy Part 1 - Kazakhstan #23 (3142KB) | |
| John McCaslin, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Poland | |
| Day 1: Energy Part I - Poland #24 (256KB) | |
| James Fluker, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Turkey | |
| Day 1: Energy - Part I - Turkey #25 (2379KB) | |
| Moderator: | |
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Doug Miller, Managing Director, International - American Hydro Corporation |
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| Session H - See Session G/H at 3:30 p.m. | |
| Session I - The European Aerospace and Defense Industry: Integrated Approach to the 21st Century | |
| Session Overview: Europe offers exceptional opportunities for U.S. companies in the aerospace and defense industries. For the tenth consecutive year, the value of aircraft outweighed industry revenues (deliverables) continuing to show the long-term growth of this market. The continued weakness of the dollar vis-a-vis the euro, a willingness on the part of procurement executives to purchase in dollars, and increased production rates offer excellent opportunities for U.S. aerospace companies. Many OEM and equipment manufacturers have adopted a "U.S. dollar" strategy for existing and new programs to take advantage of the cost savings offered by the exchange rate. Equally, Europe is one of the world's major defense markets and is characterized by its requirement for sophisticated equipment and services, its emphasis on competition and market openness, and its encouragement of close working relationships between industry and government (MoD). By attending this session, you will learn about the best market opportunities for U.S. aerospace firms. | |
| Speakers: | |
| Robert Connan, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service France | |
| Day 1: EU Aerospace - France #26 (2427KB) | |
| Steve Alley, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Greece | |
| Day 1: EU Aerospace - Greece #27 (1624KB) | |
| Dorothy Lutter, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Russia | |
| Day 1: EU Aerospace - Russia #28 (1065KB) | |
| Stephan Wasylko, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service United Kingdom | |
| Day 1: EU Aerospace - UK #29 (582KB) | |
| Moderator: | |
| Christopher C. Foster, Director of Strategy & Planning, Northrop Grumman | |
| Session J - EU Laws that Could Affect Doing Business in the European Union: Prepare NOW for REACH; CE Mark; Metric Labeling | |
| Session Overview: This session will provide an overview of the latest developments with EU rules and regulations, including Energy Using Products Directive, metric labeling, CE Mark, and the new EU chemical regulation - REACH. REACH is not just about chemicals. If your products are made with chemicals, contain chemicals, or have chemicals in their components (just about everything) and you export or want to export to Europe, then REACH could apply to you. REACH starts taking effect June 1 throughout the EU. You need to start getting ready for REACH now. | |
| Speakers: | |
| Jonathan Bensky, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service European Union | |
| Day 1: EU Laws - Bensky #30 (1401KB) | |
| Day I: CE Marking - Step by Step - #30a (2201KB) | |
| Susan Danger, Managing Director, AmCham EU | |
| Day 1: EU Laws - Danger #31 (696KB) | |
| Moderator: | |
| Erin Cole, Director, U.S. Commercial Service Rochester (Europe Team) | |
| 3:00 | Break |
| 3:30 | Concurrent Sessions |
| Session G/H - Energy Opportunities For the Future - Electric Power, Coal, Oil, Gas/Emerging Renewable/Alternative - Part II: Perspective from Western Europe | |
| Session Overview: Join this session as a continuation of Session G. Europe's market for generation and distribution of all forms of energy is being liberalized, presenting significant opportunities for U.S. providers of technology, equipment, and other inputs. U.S. firms and their highly sought after products and services will find themselves to be very competitive. Europe’s energy needs are growing and you cannot afford to miss this session to learn about these tremendous market opportunities. In addition, the European Commission's strategy calls for a doubling of renewable energies in gross domestic energy consumption in the European Union by 2010 (from the present 6% to 12%) including a timetable of actions to achieve this objective in the form of an Action Plan. | |
| Speakers: | |
| Keith Curtis, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Sweden | |
| Day 1: Energy - Part II - Sweden #32 (1327KB) | |
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Ed Lowe, General Manager, Gasification & Renewables, General Electric |
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| Day 1: Energy - Part II - GE #33 (1240KB) | |
| Dave Olson, VP Licensing & Commercial Operations, | |
| Marsulex Environmental Technologies Corporation | |
| Moderator: | |
| Judy Siegel, President of the Energy and Security Group | |
| Session K - EU Accession/Who & What is Next and What Does It Mean for U.S. Businesses? | |
| Session Overview: The entry of Bulgaria and Romania on 1 January 2007 marks an historic achievement with the EU welcoming 30 million new consumers. After six years of preparation, their accession marks the completion of the sixth EU enlargement. Today, the largest foreign investor in Bulgaria is a U.S. company, and the largest portfolio investor in Bulgaria is a U.S. firm. Bilateral trade between the two countries continues to break records. The signing of the U.S.-Bulgarian Defense Cooperation Agreement provided further evidence of the deepening of the strategic political and military partnership between the two countries. This year promises even greater trade and investment achievements. While the domestic market is relatively small, Bulgaria is an excellent launching pad for sales into the EU, Russia, Turkey and the Middle East. Romania has experienced 7 consecutive years of economic expansion. 2007 promises more of the same, thanks to an economy driven by a broadly balanced mix of consumption and investment. Romania's economy has matured into a dynamic, mostly private sector marketplace growing at a rapid clip, while continuing to adapt to changing conditions. Croatia and Serbia are on the threshold of membership in the EU. Croatia, a nation of some 4.5 million inhabitants, is both a Central European and a Mediterranean country. As one of the largest markets in the region, second only to Romania, Serbia and Montenegro has undertaken aggressive reform programs with the intent to re-establish the country as a regional center and crossroads. All major road, rail, water, and even air routes traverse Serbia and Montenegro, connecting Europe with Southeast Europe, Turkey, Greece and the Middle East. Join this session to learn why you should consider these markets as part of your Pan European export platforms. | |
| Speakers: | |
| Day 1: EU Ascension - Intro #34 (262KB) | |
| Jim Rigassio, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Bulgaria | |
| Cindy Biggs, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Romania | |
| Day 1: EU Ascension - Bulgaria & Romania #35 (221KB) | |
| Tom Kelsey, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Croatia | |
| Day 1: EU Ascension - Croatia #36 (1077KB) | |
| Maria Andrews, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Serbia | |
| Day 1: EU Ascension - Serbia #37 (420KB) | |
| Moderator: | |
| Joe Dehner, Senior Partner; Co-Chair, International Services Group | |
| Frost Brown Todd LLP | |
| Session L - Heart of High Tech Europe: Austria, Germany, Ireland and Switzerland | |
| Session Overview: The heart of high tech Europe constitutes some of the wealthiest, most populous, technologically advanced and, now, the most centrally located, block of countries within the EU which serves as the springboard for many U.S. companies in their expansion throughout the entire European market. The area is now experiencing significant economic growth and presents major opportunities for an entire range of high-end, sophisticated products and technologies to both the consumer and industrial marketplace. Most of the world's leading trade shows in the high tech sectors take place here, such as MEDICA and CEBIT, to name just a few, and offer U.S. companies unparalleled platforms for doing business with the world. U.S. companies with advanced technologies and solutions in an array of industries should consider the markets of Austria, Germany, Ireland and Switzerland, which offer an attractive, transparent business environment with excellent infrastructure, a highly trained workforce, 21st century industries, and both sophisticated buyers and corporate partners with global connections. The panel will discuss these many opportunities and how American products and services find high acceptance in these markets. | |
| Speakers: | |
| Catherine Houghton, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Austria | |
| Day 1: Hi Tech Europe - Austria #38 (475KB) | |
| George Ruffner, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Germany | |
| Day 1: Hi Tech Europe - Germany Part 1 #39a (5102KB) | |
| Day 1: Hi Tech Europe - Germany - Part 2 - #39b (1244KB) | |
| Day 1: Hi Tech Europe - Germany - Part 3 - #39c (500KB) | |
| Mitch Auerbach, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Ireland | |
| Day 1: Hi Tech Europe - Ireland #40 (3317KB) | |
| Julie Snyder, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Switzerland | |
| Day 1: Hi Tech Europe - Switzerland #41 (1024KB) | |
| Moderator: | |
| Dana Hicks, Managing Director, Perlitz Strategy Group - Americas | |
| Session M - The Dynamic Bridges to Europe: Belgium, France, The Netherlands and United Kingdom | |
| Session Overview: Join this session to learn about the "Gateway to Europe". France and the U.S. are long-standing, close allies. Despite occasional differences of views, the U.S. and France work together on a broad range of trade, security and geopolitical issues. France is the world's sixth largest economy with a population of 63 million showing a high disposable income of USD 32,153 per capita. The Netherlands is a key center within the global business network with an advanced infrastructure geared towards the transportation of goods, people and electronic data. Its core distribution points include Rotterdam, the world's second largest port, and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, the fourth largest passenger and third largest cargo airport in Europe. The Dutch are traders by nature - the Netherlands has a variety of experienced importers, sales agents, and distributors well versed in international trade. Belgium is a highly developed and densely populated country centrally located at the "heart" of Europe. Belgium offers an excellent infrastructure specifically geared towards re-export and transportation of goods, people and electronic data, resulting in a greater need and receptivity towards imports. The level of bilateral trade and investment between the U.S. and UK is strong and growing. Both governments work to institute policies that will foster economic growth, encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, and promote free trade and fair competition. | |
| Speakers: | |
| Day 1: Dynamic Bridges to Europe #42 (1586KB) | |
| Camille Sailer, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Belgium | |
| Robert Connan, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service France | |
| Sheryl Pinckney-Maas, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Netherlands | |
| Stephan Wasylko, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service UK | |
| Moderator: | |
| Kerri Norris, Senior Vertical Market Manager, Staples-Lyreco Alliance, | |
| Staples Business Advantage | |
| Session N - International Financing Options | |
| Session Overview: Join us during this session to learn about the many resources available to help finance your international business transactions. Discussions will be held on how to leverage project financing and help you compete in the major markets of Europe, India and Africa. This session will showcase the opportunities and benefits to U.S. companies by successfully utilizing the services and programs of the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) as well as the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Specifically, this session will discuss programs targeted at mitigating financial and political risks of overseas projects and investments and will target effective strategies for working with the Banks' private sector financing arms. | |
| Speakers: | |
| C. Michael Forgione, VP-Manager, International Business Development, Export-Import Bank of | |
| the United States (Ex-Im) | |
| Day 1: International Financing - EXIM - #43 (95KB) | |
| Ned Cabot, Regional Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa, U.S. Trade Development Agency (USTDA) | |
| Richard Steffens, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Ukraine for European Bank for | |
| Reconstruction | |
| Day 1: International Financing - EBRD #44 (4204KB) | |
| William Center, Advisor & Director Business Liaison U.S. Executive Director's Office, | |
| World Bank | |
| Day 1: International Financing - World Bank #45 (246KB) | |
| Moderator: | |
| Gerald F. Rama, Sr. VP & Head Int'l. Banking & Trade Finance, Commerce Bank | |
| Session O - Information Technology Market in Sub-Saharan Africa | |
| Session Overview: The sub-Saharan Africa market for information and communication technology is a lucrative and growing one. The South African ICT sector is the continent's most advanced sector in terms of technology and service delivery. The IT sector alone was worth roughly $7.48 billion in 2005, up 23 percent from total revenues of $6.07 billion in 2004. Nigeria is the fastest growing telecommunications market in all of Africa. It offers U.S. suppliers of mobile communications handsets and accessories a growth opportunity for trade and investment. Kenya's information services industry has a growing audio-visual services sector, relatively modern postal and courier services, a highly advanced broadcasting and telecommunications sector, and a robust publishing industry. | |
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Speakers: |
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| Edward Yagi, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Kenya | |
| Day 1: IT - Sub-Saharan Africa - Keny #46 (250KB) | |
| Hannah Kamenetsky, Acting SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Nigeria | |
| Day 1: IT - Sub-Saharan Africa - Nigeria #47 (4012KB) | |
| Cynthia Griffin Greene, SCO, U.S. Commercial Service Senegal | |
| Day 1: IT - Sub-Saharan Africa - Senegal #48 (343KB) | |
| Barbara Keating, President, Computer Frontiers, Inc. | |
| Moderator: | |
| Nancy Wallace, Director, Maryland Dept. of Business & Economic Development | |
| 5:00 | Adjourn |
| 5:30 | Evening Reception |
| * | SCO = Senior Commercial Officer |
For Day II Agenda, click here.
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