INTERSECT ILLINOIS ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL OVERSEAS TRIP WITH GOV. RAUNER
Intersect Illinois will join Gov. Rauner and members of the Illinois business delegation to develop and promote business relationships with Japan and China
CHICAGO, September 6, 2017 – Intersect Illinois will join Governor Rauner and members of the Illinois delegation on the upcoming trade mission to Japan and China, a trip which also marks the Governor’s first international tour.
Intersect Illinois President and CEO Mark Peterson will join the Governor Rauner, Erik Brejla, Assistant Deputy Director, Regional Economic Development, from the Illinois Department of Commerce and leaders in business, education, and the government on the trade mission from September 9-17. The delegation’s trip will begin in Tokyo at the Midwest U.S.–Japan Association Conference, before traveling to Nagoya and then to the Chinese cities of Shanghai and Hangzhou.
“Japan and China are vital to Illinois’ global business activities and these meetings will cement the already strong relationship,” stated Intersect Illinois President and CEO Mark Peterson. “I believe Illinois’ presence at the conference and meetings will encourage business development growth in the future benefiting Illinois, Japan, and China. Having members of the Illinois business and education community join this mission shows the real commitment of Illinois to invest and grow Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the state.”
The mission is an important in-person opportunity to build trade ties between Illinois and the two countries. This is a work trip whose objectives will include corporate recruitment with companies who do not have an Illinois operation as well as business retention and expansion meetings with existing Illinois investors to strengthen the relationships. These substantive meetings between the delegation and companies will reinforce the mutual benefits of FDI into Illinois.
The trade mission is also a significant investment in the Japanese and Chinese business partnerships so the Illinois, Japanese, and Chinese economies can grow and expand around the world. The mission will begin in Tokyo as Governor Rauner will attend the Midwest-USA Japan Conference, an event that was started by former Illinois Governor James R. Thompson 49 years ago. The Midwest U.S.–Japan Association Conference is held annually to discuss the growth and progress of economic relations of the American Midwest and Japan. The visit will continue with meetings with government officials and business leaders to discuss additional business, investment, and job creation opportunities between Illinois and Japan and Illinois and China.
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Team Illinois Delegation
Mark Peterson, President & CEO, Intersect Illinois
Erik Brejla, Assistant Deputy Director, Regional Economic Development, Illinois Department of Commerce
Kelly Nicholl, Chief Marketing Officer, Intersect Illinois
Jason Anderson, Economic Development Director, City of Rochelle
Paul J. Borek, Executive Director, DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation
Inga Carus, CEO & President, Carus Corporation
Jonathon Hallberg, Executive Director, Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation
Sheila Owens, Vice President of Economic Development & Business Development, ComEd
Edward Seidel, Vice President of Economic Development and Innovation, University of Illinois System
About INTERSECT ILLINOIS
Intersect Illinois works in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Focusing on the state of Illinois’ economic development efforts, Intersect Illinois was established as a private entity with greater flexibility to actively pursue prospects, and market this great state. Intersectillinois.org