June 22, 2006
President of World Trade Center Visits Olney
Robert J. Langlois, President of the World Trade Center, Chicago (WTCC), will be keynote speaker at the International Business Seminar scheduled for Tuesday at Olde Tyme Steakhaus in Olney.

The seminar begins at 9 a.m. and will cover topics such as international market potential and trade opportunities through NAFTA. The WTCC promotes economic vitality through bilateral trade by providing comprehensive resources and services that enable businesses to enter to expand global market opportunities.

Langlois has vast experience in international business through his previous position as Director of Global Customer Relations for Motorola, Inc. Langlois’ tenure with Motorola included 25 years of international interaction with the Middle East, North African, Easter Europe, Europe, Canada and Asia.

The Southeastern Alliance of Illinois (SAIL) organized the seminar. In agreement with the Bob Bruce International Business Development Group, an international business development-consulting firm located in the WTCC, SAIL is working to help educate area businesses on the benefits of doing business with international partners.

According to SAIL Chairwoman, Mary Heitzig, Executive Director of the Richland County Development Corporation, the regional group is investing resources in the international program to help local business learn more about becoming profitably involved in the international marketplace. Heitzig says the group’s primary goal with this effort is to help local companies grow and add jobs in area communities.

Many smaller businesses today recognize that to achieve more complete success, it is essential to be knowledgeable of overseas trade. Yet, part of their challenge is understanding the various elements involved with trading on a global level. The new SAIL initiative will help area companies gain some introductory knowledge of the opportunities and the process.

SAIL has initiated a number of major activities in recent years to address the challenges of economic growth, unemployment and underemployment in the area. By joining together in a regional partnership, the participating cities and counties promote job growth in their communities more effectively by pooling limited resources.

In addition, members can utilize research information and promotional tools developed by SAIL to support their local individual community message.

The SAIL group efforts are being partially covered by funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. The SAIL group is a regional marketing group comprised of Economic Development professionals and affiliated organizations representing Clay, Crawford, Edwards, Jasper, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash and White counties.

For more information, contact Mary Heitzig at (618) 392-2305.