Delegation from Tri-State to Leave on Access Asia Now Trip May 19

On Saturday (May 19) a group of individuals from the Tri-State will leave for Asia as a part of the University of Evansville's Institute for Global Enterprise in Indiana "ACCESS Asia NOW: Tri-State Mission to Malaysia & Japan."

UE's Institute has partnered with the U.S. Department of Commerce to provide Indiana and Tri-State businesses with a chance to visit some of the most promising markets in the world. Delegates will visit Kuala Lumpur, the largest city in Malaysia and Tochigi City, Tokyo, and Tahara, Japan, during the trip May 19-31.

Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel, will lead the delegation. "This is such an important trip because we will be able to communicate directly with companies in Asia and tell them why they should invest in the Tri-State," said Mayor Weinzapfel. "We have to think globally if we want to grow our economy and having businesses from places like Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo locate here is a great start."

Robert Clark, dean of UE's Schroeder Family School of Business Administration notes that this is an important trip for our area because global business is a critical element in our region’s future competitiveness. "The trade mission will provide Tri-State executives with insight into the economic opportunities afforded by Asian business connections. The trade mission will also provide leaders with a level of cultural exposure that will help increase global understanding as the delegation will be visiting Evansville’s sister city – Tochigi City, Japan – reaffirming Evansville’s connections with it," Clark said. A portion of funding for this trip is being provided by a grant received by the University of Evansville from the U.S. Department of Education’s Business and International Education program.

LaShone Gibson, senior associate director of UE’s Institute described the motivation behind coordinating this mission. "Our aim is to advance regional economic development on an international stage. We want our region to have a competitive advantage in the global marketplace; exposing Tri-State businesses to the opportunities within Asian provinces is a step toward this objective because therein lies the greatest opportunity for market growth."

Those attending 'ACCESS Asia Now' will include:
•Jonathan Weinzapfel, Mayor of Evansville
•Stephen Jennings, president of the University of Evansville
•LaShone Gibson, senior associate director of the Institute for Global Enterprise in Indiana.
•Robert Clark, dean of the UE Schroeder Family School of Business Administration and vice president for Strategic Initiatives
•Todd Mosby, executive director of the Gibson County Economic Development Corporation
•Connie Wellmeyer, assistant general manager for Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Inc.
•Dan Burgher, vice president of Information Technology for Vectren
•Kim Humphrey, vice president for International Banking for Old National Bank
•William Kuzma, CEO of Natural Enrichment Industries, Inc.
•Kevin Sheilley, executive director of Northwest Kentucky Forward
•Dusan Marinkovic, international trade specialist for the U.S. Commercial Service
•Mary Powelson, general manager for Clearcrest Pines Golf & Banquet Centre
•Pam Renninger and Rob Wagner, partners with BKD of Indianapolis
•Manami Johnson, Japanese speaking staff of BKD of Indianapolis

The delegation will participate in U.S. Embassy-sponsored networking events and site visits, host country government briefings, and one-on-one meetings customized to each company’s needs.

Mayor Weinzapfel will participate in a mayoral exchange while in Tochigi City with Tochigi's Mayor Yoshiyuki Higano. Weinzapfel will also present Higano with an official gift from the city of Evansville – an original three-dimensional column with the symbols of both cities designed by local artist Amy Musia.