More than 35 Illinois companies will attend Discover Global Markets: Building Smart Cities to learn more about international sales opportunities.

CHICAGO, Oct 28, 2016 -- Delegations from four countries will join companies from Illinois and 23 other states, November 1-3, to discuss international business opportunities in fields like renewable energy, infrastructure and advanced transportation.

The U.S. Commercial Service’s Discover Global Markets:Building Smart Cities event brings together leaders in smart cities industries to examine global market trends, learn about best practices and make connections for future business deals at the Swissotel, in Chicago.

Buyer delegations from India, The Philippines, Vietnam and Qatar will be in attendance, along with Ashok Kumar Mirpuri, Singapore’s ambassador to the United States. These delegations will meet with businesses from Illinois and across the country. In 2015, Illinois exported more than $2 billion of goods to those four countries alone.

The conference will host Nguyen Thanh Phong, Mayor, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam along with 12 key members of Ho Chi Minh City's Information and Communications, Planning and Architecture, Post and Telecommunications offices, Department of Planning and Architecture, along with private sector companies.

Featured at the DGM Forum will be local industry experts such as John Bachmann, Associate Vice President, Director of Design, Planning and Economics, AECOM, Phil Enquist, Partner, Skidmore, Ownings & Merrill; Brenna Berman, Chief Information Officer, City of Chicago; and Paul Steinberg, Chief Technology Officer, Motorola Solutions.

“International expansion continues to be a strategic pillar of Greeley and Hansen’s long-term growth plan, and the U.S. Commercial Service has been an invaluable resource in helping us win new business in international markets.” said John Robak, President and COO of Greeley and Hansen, a Chicago engineering company specializing in sustainable water infrastructure.

“Whether you need market intelligence or business connections in foreign countries, the Discover Global Markets: Building Smart Cities conference is a must-attend for any U.S. company interested in global expansion in the Smart Cities space, and we are honored to be the lead sponsor for this important event.”

Discover Global Markets is a business forum series designed to help U.S. businesses expand sales, penetrate new markets and boost their bottom line through exports. At each DGM event attendees meet one-on-one with U.S. Commercial Diplomats, participate in panel discussions and learn about U.S. export programs and network with U.S. trade officials. The Commercial Service has hosted 13 DGM events across the country since 2014, helping facilitate increases in revenue generated through exports for U.S. companies.

In addition to powerful keynotes, dynamic workshops and plenary sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to conduct business-to-business matchmaking on-site with foreign buyers.

Registration is still open for this event. For more information on DGM: Building Smart Cities and other forums, please visit  http://2016.export.gov/discoverglobalmarkets/buildingsmartcities/index.asp.

Contacts:
U.S. Commercial Service
Evan Scritchfield
Communications Specialst
312-353-4453
Email Contact

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U.S. Commercial Service
The U.S. Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. U.S. Commercial Service trade professionals in over 100 U.S. cities and in more than 75 countries help U.S. companies get started in exporting or increase sales to global markets. According to a recent survey, 80% of U.S. Commercial Service clients expected to increase their revenues and 63% expected to increase U.S. employment as a result of assistance provided by the organization. To learn more, visit  http://go.usa.gov/xkvz2.