“At programs like these, sophisticated business, government, and academic people rub shoulders and sparks fly off.” The Honorable David Adelmen, U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, September 14, 2011

Sparks flew on September 14th when the Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan sponsored the only Michigan stop for Ambassador Adelman and a group of senior U.S. Commercial Service officers and Singapore development professionals.  The delegation spent the day presenting on the topic, “Why Singapore? Why Asia? Why Now?” as they rallied Michigan businesses to President Obama’s National Export Initiative.  Almost 100 individuals from Michigan businesses, government, and academia were present for the presentations, roundtable discussions, and networking that took place at the MSU Union.

Three Michigan-based companies—Dawn Foods, Viking Spas, and Dongan Manufacturing—all received Certificates of Export Achievement presented by the ambassador.  They also served on an export panel where they discussed their experiences exporting to the region and took questions from the audience.  During the business roundtable, the companies stressed the importance of having first-hand knowledge of the country that one is entering and explained that extensive preparation before making trips is key.