SelectUSA Investment Summit Spotlight: The SelectUSA Academy
June 20, 2016This post contains external links. Please review our external linking policy.
This post originally appeared on the Department of Commerce blog.
By Vinai Thummalapally, SelectUSA Executive Director
Photo of Participants at the SelectUSA Academy at the 2016 SelectUSA Summit
At SelectUSA, we value the input of our clients and work hard to serve them better. A few months ago, we put out a call for topics to include in the second SelectUSA Academy. We wanted to keep the content fresh and make sure new viewpoints were included in the program, and we weren’t disappointed. We received dozens of submissions, all with great ideas and valuable advice for investors and economic developers.
That collaboration came to fruition yesterday. With many speakers volunteering their time on Father’s Day, we presented the SelectUSA Academy, a practical pre-Summit orientation designed for first-time investors and U.S. economic developers. Participants had the chance to get a jumpstart on the week and take full advantage of their time at the 2016 SelectUSA Investment Summit, where representatives of international companies, state and local governments, and economic development organizations (EDOs) are converging today.
The SelectUSA Academy program offered two dedicated tracks: Investor and EDO. For representatives of companies looking to establish operations in the United States, the Investor Track provided concrete tips on a range of subjects. The sessions focused on understanding the U.S. regulatory environment, tapping into resources and networks, and building a successful investment strategy. Participants were treated to closing remarks by a special high-level guest, Governor Butch Otter, from the State of Idaho.
Similarly, participants in the EDO Track gained insight into the inward investment promotion process, including strategies for marketing and pitching their locations effectively. Speakers focused on nurturing a healthy new business pipeline by identifying and converting quality leads.
This year’s Academy was filled to capacity, so if you are interested in participating, sign up for our email list to be the first to learn about future sessions. And if you missed the Academy, don’t worry – we have plenty more for you over the next couple of days. I hope you will also join us online today and tomorrow to watch the livestream of the SelectUSA Summit plenary sessions.
On Monday, June 20, Secretary Penny Pritzker will kick off the proceedings, welcoming more than 2,400 participants from every corner of the United States and 70 foreign markets. Speakers include business leaders from companies like ABB, Lockheed Martin, McKinsey & Company, Rolls-Royce, EY, Wanxiang, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, and TOTO.
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe will take the stage, along with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez, and Mr. Jeffrey Zients, Director of the National Economic Council. And of course, you’ll want to catch the keynote address by President Barack Obama at lunchtime.
On Tuesday, June 21, we will hear from Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew; Ambassador Michael Froman, U.S. Trade Representative; Congressman Steny Hoyer; and Secretary of State John Kerry. Check out the agenda, and we hope to see you at the Summit or online!
Tradeology, the ITA Blog 