Local Contact: Betsy Lundgren
608.443.1961 | blundgren@madisonregion.org
Federal Contact: Tami Holzman
202.482.4085 | tholzman@eda.gov
Madison Region Economic Partnership to host 70 international and U.S. delegates on April 21 & 22
Madison, WI –Madison has been selected as a featured site in the Third Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE), a tour designed to showcase advanced technology centers, innovation hubs, public-private partnerships, exports, and foreign direct investments in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois.
ACE is a collaboration among the U.S. Department of Commerce, through the International Trade Administration (ITA) and the Economic Development Administration (EDA), the U.S. Department of State, the Government of Guatemala, as Chair Pro Tempore of RIAC 2015, and the Organization of American States (OAS).
Madison Region Economic Partnership will host the international delegation on April 21 & 22, having submitted a winning proposal to the ACE consortium. The delegation consists of nearly 50 foreign trade and innovation ministers, private sector leaders, mayors from major cities, chancellors/presidents of universities, presidents of competitiveness councils and other senior leadership from 28 countries, including many in Latin America as well as Canada and Georgia.
Several high-ranking officials from the U.S. government will also be in Madison during the tour, including The Honorable U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Jay Williams.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity to feature Madison and its many academic, innovation and industry assets to a prominent foreign delegation,” notes Paul Jadin, president of Madison Region Economic Partnership. “Being selected for the ACE tour points to the region’s global recognition as a leader in technology and innovation that invites international exchange.”
The EDA has issued a detailed press release about the ACE tour, available at this link: http://www.eda.gov/news/press-releases/2015/04/14/ace.htm
Members of the press are invited to all portions of the ACE tour, however key places and times for optimal photo, video, and interview opportunities are listed below and attached on page 2. The full tour agenda is listed below and attached on page 3.
About Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP)
MadREP is the economic development agency for the eight-county Madison Region. MadREP is the lead agent behind the region’s five-year Advance Now Strategy for economic growth, which is a five-plank platform consisting of economic competitiveness, innovation & entrepreneurship, human capital, marketing, and leadership & diversity. Through these five goal areas, MadREP and its partners aim to proactively and strategically position the region to take advantage of economic and business development opportunities. The Madison Region includes Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Rock, and Sauk Counties.
PRIMARY PRESS OPPORTUNITIES DURING ACE
TUESDAY, APRIL 21
Welcome & Presentations | 5-6pm
Edgewater Hotel, Grand Ballroom C | 1001 Wisconsin Place | Madison
Featured Speakers: Paul Jadin, President, MadREP; Jeffrey Lyon, Wisconsin Deputy Secretary of Agriculture; Matt Erskine, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development; and other Senior Federal Economic Development Officials
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22
Epic Systems Corporation | 9-10:30am
1979 Milky Way | Verona
Campus Tour with Featured Speaker: Steve Dickman, Chief Operation Officer, Epic
UW Center for Dairy Research | 11am-12pm
Babcock Hall Room 205 | 1605 Linden Drive | Madison
Featured Speakers: Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch (11-11:10am); John Lucey, Director, Center for Dairy Research (11:10am-12pm)
Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery | 12:45-1:45pm
330 N. Orchard Street | Madison
Featured Speakers: Mayor Paul Soglin (brief welcome); Chancellor Rebecca Blank (12:45-1:00pm); The Honorable U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Jay Williams (1:00-1:15pm); James Dahlberg, Former Interim Director of Morgridge Institute of Discovery (1:15-1:30pm); Mary Blanchard, Assistant Director, Wisconsin Energy Institute (1:30-1:45pm)
University Research Park | 3:15-3:45pm
510 Charmany Drive, Suite 50 | Madison
Featured Speaker: Aaron Olver, Managing Director, University Research Park
Community Networking Reception | 6:15-7:45pm
The Edgewater Hotel, Mendota Ballroom | 1001 Wisconsin Place | Madison
Note: The Honorable U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Jay Williams will be available for comments at this reception only.
ACE 2015: TOUR LOCATIONS
April 19-21
Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
Rochester, MN
La Crosse, WI
Vernon County, WI
April 21-22
Madison, WI
April 23
Milwaukee, WI
April 24
Chicago, IL
