by Dave Moore, Staff Writer
Consuls general representing countries from Angola to Vietnam gathered in the Dallas Region on Jan. 22-23, as part of the 2018 Mayor’s Consular Corps Summit, hosted by the World Affairs Council of Dallas-Fort Worth.
About 70 consuls general and diplomatic staff visited some of the region’s standout destinations while learning of business and cultural opportunities Dallas-Fort Worth has to offer.
“Many attendees toured the Sixth Floor Museum, observed a cattle drive at the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, and observed presentations by the Kimbell Art Museum and the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport,” said Sarah Carabias-Rush, DRC Vice President of International Economic Development, who helped organize the summit with the World Affairs Council of Dallas-Fort Worth, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, and Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.
The Dallas Regional Chamber and Fort Worth Chamber presented a regional economic overview to summit attendees. Participants also heard presentations at and toured the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Both Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price and Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings hosted a welcome reception at the Kimbell Museum on Jan. 22.
“The summit provided fantastic opportunities for business and community leaders in the Dallas Region to meet representatives from international diplomatic offices across the U.S., including Houston, New Orleans and Miami,” Carabias-Rush said. In turn, members of the diplomatic corps have the opportunity to learn about the Dallas Region’s business climate first-hand from some of our area’s most outstanding business leaders.
Sponsors for the summit included Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Bell Helicopter, Haynes and Boone, Lockheed Martin, Texas Central Partners, American Airlines, Chavez & Valko LLP, Civitas Capital Group, Dallas County Community College District, Dyno Corp, Fujitsu, and Smith Limousine.
Trade Mission to Europe Registration Open
The Dallas Regional Chamber will join Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, DFW International Airport leadership, the Fort Worth Chamber, Visit Dallas, and the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau on a mission to Europe.
The DRC will lead a business pillar of activities. Those interested in joining the contingent must confirm their interest by Monday, April 20.
The goal of the June 17-23 Dallas-Fort Worth mission to Europe is to raise the region’s international profile in a handful of target markets, including London, Paris and Brussels.
Key focus areas include:
- health care, life sciences, and medical technology;
- fashion, retail, and related technologies; and
- other smart cities and innovations.
The group will also help promote Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport’s air service, the Dallas Region’s strength as a business destination for European companies, and tourism’s role in the region.
Those interested in learning more about the mission should contact mmaguire@dallaschamber.org.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Forum with OPIC’s Ray Washburne
Monday, Feb. 26 | 12:00 – 1:30 PM
U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation CEO and President Ray Washburne will discuss how development finance fights global poverty, and creates Texas jobs. The luncheon forum will be held at Magnolia Hotel Dallas, 1401 Commerce St., Dallas 75201. To learn more and to RSVP, click here: http://www.usglc.org/events/americas-global-leadership-development-finance-forum-tx/
U.S.-Japan Relations Update
Tuesday, Feb. 27 | 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Keio University Professor of Policy Management Dr. Toshihero Kakayama and Council on Foreign Relations Dr. Sheila A. Smith discuss recent developments in U.S.-Japan relations one year into the Trump administration. Their discussion, and a panel conversation, will focus on how changes might affect North Texas. The event will be held at the Renaissance Dallas Richardson Hotel, 900 East Lookout, Richardson, 75082. Please read more and register by Feb. 22 at http://jasdfw.org/event/japan-update-symposium/
Address by His Excellency Armando Varriccio, Ambassador of Italy to the U.S.
Wednesday, March 7 | 12:00 PM
Italy’s ambassador to the U.S. will speak at a luncheon and program presented by the World Affairs Council of Dallas-Fort Worth. The location is TBD; contact mmaguire@dallaschamber.org to learn more.