Business and Investment Opportunities in European Union is Focus of Conference
Teaneck, NJ (March 17, 2008) — A full-day conference and expo on “Understanding the European Union – And Seizing the Opportunity” will be held on Wednesday, May 21. The focus of the conference is the European Union as a place for New Jersey businesses to seek new business and investment opportunities and is designed to increase regional awareness of and involvement in international business.
Working in partnership with the European Union Commission to the United Nations in New York, Fairleigh Dickinson University and the New Jersey World Trade Council are presenting the conference. The conference will be held in Dickinson Hall, 140 University Plaza Drive, Hackensack, NJ, on FDU’s Metropolitan Campus.
“This conference,” said John McCahill of the New Jersey World Trade Council, and Conference Chairman, “will bring together numerous experts who will help to demystify the challenges of cross border business in the EU and give attendees an understanding of the exciting opportunities for investment and business development in the EU.”
Expert panels will cover the EU in terms of member states, politics and policies and look at the practical aspects of doing business in the EU. Also, “ hot” regions and industries will be the focus of another panel.
The international luncheon features keynote speaker Ambassador Fernando M. Valenzuela, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to the United Nations, a post he has held since 2005. He is the former political director-deputy director-general of the European Commission. The Ambassador has more than 30 years of experience in economic issues, foreign affairs and international development.
“The afternoon breakout sessions,” said Herbert Ouida, director of FDU’s Global Enterprise Network, “are an opportunity to discuss and to learn the latest EU standards and metric labeling, the available services of the U.S. Department of Commerce, customs and logistics, research and development in the EU, and the rich business information resources existing at Fairleigh Dickinson’s business library.”
In addition to Ambassador Valenzuela, other confirmed conference speakers include Paul Dyck, Deputy Under Secretary - Europe, ITA, U. S. Dept. of Commerce; Hillary Love, Managing Director, Foreign Exchange Group, PNC Financial Services,Inc.; Sven Oehme, President, European American Business Organization, James Rosener, President, European American Chamber of Commerce (Managing Partner, Pepper Hamilton LLP – NY); Peter Schwaiger, Deputy Head of Delegation, EU Commission Delegation to the United Nations; Joan Verplank, President, New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce; Aidan Walsh, Partner, KPMG; Maria L. Kocylowsky, Head of the Business Reference Library, FDU, Sarah Reynolds, Senior Consultant and Trainer, American River International Ltd.; Carmela Mammas, Director, New York Export Assistance Center, U.S. Department of Commerce; Ethné Swartz, Chair, Marketing and Entrepreneurial Studies Department, Silberman College of Business, FDU.
Major sponsors include U.S. Department of Commerce, NJ State Chamber of Commerce, Port Authority of NY and NJ, The Journal of Commerce, Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce and Hong Kong Shanghai Bank (HSBC).
On Tuesday, May 20, there is an evening reception to launch the conference hosted by FDU President J. Michael Adams. All conference participants, speakers and guests, as well as the New York area diplomatic community of the 27 EU countries, are invited to the evening reception.
Conference cost is $125 for the full day, including a continental breakfast and luncheon with Ambassador Valenzuela. It also includes the Tuesday evening reception. Exhibit space is available throughout the daylong conference activities. Advance conference registration is highly recommended.
For registration or information call Colleen Di Gregorio at (973) 443 8530, e-mail colleend@fdu.edu, or visit http://library.fdu.edu/GEN/EUConference.html