International Managing Directors Visit Ohio The Managing Directors from Ohio's 14 international offices visited Ohio during the week of May 5, 2008. Ohio's global offices are located in: Australia, Canada, China (Beijing and Shanghai), Europe, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and South Africa. The highlight of the annual visit was the Ohio Global Summit and Annual Ohio International Office Reception featuring the Managing Directors, which was held at the William C. Green Building and Nationwide Atrium in Columbus, on Thursday, May 8. During the week, the Managing Directors traveled throughout the State to meet with Ohio companies and made presentations on export opportunities in their country markets. Companies seeking new sales in a market, or that wanted to learn more about the state's international offices and programs, participated in the statewide events listed below: Tuesday, May 6, 2008 Tuesday, May 6, 2008 Wednesday, May 7, 2008 Wednesday, May 7, 2008 Thursday, May 8, 2008 Friday, May 9, 2008 Details about the Managing Directors’ visit to Ohio in 2009 will be released soon.
Independence – Embassy Suites Hotel
Managing Directors from Australia, China, Europe, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and South Africa participated in a panel discussion, and also had one-on-one meetings with company officials in the afternoon. A networking reception concluded the day. Sponsors included the Northeast Ohio Trade and Economic Consortium (NEOTEC), the International Trade Assistance Center (ITAC) at NEOTEC, Cleveland State University, Fifth Third Bank, FirstEnergy, Manufacturing Advocacy Group Network (MAGNET), and Small Business Development Centers of Ohio.
Youngstown – Youngstown State University
Managing Directors from the Great Lakes Trade Offices in Brazil, Chile, and South Africa, as well as the Ohio Representative in Argentina, participated in a morning program at the Williamson College of Business at Youngstown State University. The Managing Directors made market overview presentations and best prospects for business opportunities in their respective country markets.
Athens – Ohio University
The Managing Directors representing Canada and Mexico participated in a seminar entitled "NAFTA: Opportunities for U.S. Companies" held at Ohio University, Margaret M. Walter Hall. Presentations were made on export opportunities in the Canadian and Mexican markets, as well as an overview of NAFTA resources available to Ohio companies. Sponsors included Ohio University's Global Leadership Center and Southern Ohio District Export Council (SODEC).
Findlay – Owens Community College
The Managing Directors representing Japan, China, Hong Kong, Europe, and Israel made afternoon presentations and were available for one-on-one meetings with interested company officials. GreaterFindlay Inc. and Owens Community College were the key sponsors for the program.
Columbus – Ohio Global Summit and Reception
The Ohio Global Summit "Exporting to the World" highlighted the visit of the Managing Directors from Ohio's 14 international offices. The event was held in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Development's Minority Business Enterprise Division. The Ohio Global Summit took place at the William C. Green Building in downtown Columbus and featured Lt. Governor Lee Fisher; keynote speaker Robert A. McDonald, COO of Procter & Gamble; and various workshops relating to exporting opportunities were held in the afternoon. The day concluded with a Networking Reception that occurred in the Nationwide Atrium. More than 200 attendees participated during the half-day conference and reception.
Columbus – Vern Riffe Center
Managing directors from Ohio's 14 global trade and investment offices had one-on-one meetings with approximately 40 Ohio company executives and economic development professionals in the morning.
