November 18, 2016: Directors from South Korea and Singapore Visit KCMO
The EDC partnered with the State of Missouri to host trade directors from Singapore and South Korea during their visit to the State of Missouri, and to Kansas City, Missouri. The delegation included: Joseph Lenox- Director at the Korea office, Adeel Ahmad- Manager at the Korea office, Amanda Douglas- Director at the Singapore Office, and Natasha Theresa Gray- Consultant at the Singapore office.
Both Directors presented on key trade benefits and advantages for both countries. The event was beneficial for local companies looking to expand their international operations through exports/imports, or setting up offices abroad. Attendees were also able to schedule one-on-one meeting with these trade directors to discuss more in depth on the resources and assistances that could be provided to help their company grow.
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November 11, 2016: Celebration of Czech-Slovak Culture
Galindo was invited by Sharon Valasek- Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic to attend a private reception event that celebrated the Czech and Slovak Republics culture representing the Kansas City International Affairs. The reception was to welcome Jana Trnovcova- Consul General of the Slovak Republic in New York visiting Kansas City, Missouri and promote future cultural and educational projects moving forwards between KCMO and Czech and Slovak Republic. The hosts for the event were Sharon Valasek, and Ross Marine- Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic.
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November 10, 2016: Sister Cities Annual Gala
Narbeli Galindo attended the Sister Cities International 60th Anniversary Gala invited to by the main sponsor and EDC client of the event President and CEO of Duracomm, Benny Lee and his wife Edith Lee. The keynote speaker for the event was Mary D. Kane- President & CEO for Sister Cities International, and for the remarks were given by Mary Eisenhower- CEO People to People International.
The event gathered over 300 local Kansas City community leaders and executives. The Sister City Network actively promotes peace and understanding through programs and projects focusing on global arts and culture, youth and education, economic and sustainable development, as well as humanitarian assistance.
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November 4, 2016: Luncheon to Welcome Hong Kong Delegation Visit to KCMO
The EDC partnered with the State of Missouri, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, and Union Station to host the Hong Kong Delegates visiting Kansas City, Missouri on November 4th, 2016.
The delegation was led by Commissioner Clement Leung- the highest ranking Hong Kong government official in the United States. During the morning the Delegation met with Mr. Victor Hwang, Kauffman Foundation Vice President, Mayor Sly James and the Director of International Affairs, Narbeli Galindo to discuss future trade, cultural and academic collaborations. An invite-only luncheon at the Union Station also attracted over 40 Kansas City executives and community leaders to hear about Hong Kong trade benefits. The presentation was targeted to attract KCMO organizations and companies looking to do business with them through exports, imports and even through partnerships.
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November 1-3, 2016: US Commercial Service, Discover Global Markets: Building Smart Cities, Chicago, IL
The EDC was proud to be a supporting organization for the Discover Global Markets: Building Smart Cities conference in Chicago, IL. EDC Director of International Affairs – Narbeli Galindo attended the 3-day event that brought together trade and industry experts, U.S. Commercial diplomats, and several international companies and organizations to learn, promote and grow Smart Cities Technologies.
The attendees at this conference learned about the Smart Cities 21st century infrastructure projects, the demand for efficient and new technologies being implemented in Chicago and around the world, and how global cities are exploring opportunities for green and sustainable technologies and disaster mitigation solutions. Many US cities and companies from KCMO such as Milbank and Black and Veatch and from around the globe participated and shared how their current technology increases the productivity within their countries and companies to make our globe more efficient.
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October 28, 2016: ITC Monthly Breakfast Event: Smart Trading Practices with Cuba
(Pictured Left to right: José María Viñals Camallonga – Partner and Director of International Operations, Narbeli Galindo, Elizabeth De Sevo- International Development Business Partner, Alvin Liow)
Our distinguished guest, José María Viñals Camallonga, traveled from Madrid on October 28th to offer us an enlightening glimpse at the intricacies of establishing smart trade arrangements with Cuba. José María has extensive experience in Corporate and Project Finance working with both national and international financial and corporate transactions, mergers, and acquisitions, asset finance, as well as legal services relating to investment funds, including hedge funds and structured financing agreements.
Galindo will be putting together a business/trade mission to Cuba on February 13- 17th, 2017, with several City officials of KCMO, KCMO Business leaders, and global companies interested in learning about Cuba trade, culture, and business practices. More information will be available soon with the confirmed dates and logistics for the event.
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October 27, 2016: KCIC Sustainability Awards
Congratulations to Milbank – Innovation Award
Congratulations to Union Station Kansas City – Energy Process, Energy Management Project- Silver
Congratulations to Clay & Bailey Manufacturing – Energy- Lighting
The Kansas City Industrial Council (KCIC), for the sixth year, recognized industrial businesses and organization in the Kansas City area who have made significant contributions and investments in sustainable practices over the past year.
This year, we are proud to announce that Milbank, a home-grown Kansas City, MO global company was awarded the Innovation Award for their work with the Microgrid technology. The nomination for Milbank was submitted by Narbeli Galindo at the EDC.
The EDC International Team would also like to congratulate both Union Station Kansas City, and Clay & Bailey Manufacturing for their awards and contributions to creating a sustainable ecosystem in Kansas City, Missouri.
*Photo credit: KCIC
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October 26-27, 2016: Smart City Innovation & Planning Workshop
This event, held on October 26-27, was hosted by Think Big Partners, the City of Kansas City, Missouri and several other key participants in the KC Smart City project. The event was an interactive technology and urban planning workshop where leaders from around the nation gathered together to explore options and have a dialogue session on smart cities use of 21st century technology – Internet of Things (IoT), to protect its citizens, save money, modernize and improve infrastructure, and create new revenue opportunities.
Galindo also invited several international companies that came from around the globe, such as Spain, Austria, and France, to attend the planning workshop. These companies have expressed an interest in Smart Cities initiatives in KCMO and are considering expanding their operations in Kansas City, Missouri.
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October 25, 2016: BLITAB- Launch KC 2016 Winner from Austria in KCMO
Kristina Tsvetanova, CEO & Co-founder, and Slavi Slavev, CTO & Co-founder from Blitab has arrived in KCMO to start up their expansion in the United States through Kansas City, Missouri. Blitab is one of the 10 Launch KC winners this year, and the only International firm being awarded 1 year of free space, free mentoring, and a grant of $50,000.
The company is producing the world’s first tactile tablet for the blind and visually impaired, and with the help of technology, has developed a multi-line Braille tablet that delivers real-time content.
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October 24, 2016: 2016 Mayor’s UN Dinner
The EDC was a proud dinner sponsor for the 2016 Mayor’s UN Day Dinner on October 24th. The theme for this year’s dinner is “Kansas City, a Welcoming Community.” Mayor Sly James welcomed Shelly Pitterman, the representative of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the United States, who spoke on the Refugee Crisis and What Americans Can Do to Help.
Mayor James also presented the annual Kansas City World Citizen of the Year Award to Abdul Bakar, who directs refugee resettlement in the Kansas City area for Della Lamb Community Services. In attendance were EDC Staff, EDC Board Members (Rosana Biondo Privitera pictured in middle below), EDC Loan Corp, and a sponsored student from Northland CAPS program.
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October 7-19, 2016:
Edgar Snow Symposium
Beijing, Tianjin, Xiamen
Taiwan – On invitation from Congressman Jason Lin, Tainan-KC Sister Cities
Tainan, Taipei
Galindo traveled to China with a group of Kansas City, Missouri delegation, that consisted of Mayor Pro Tem Scott Wagner and UMKC, to present the City at the Edgar Snow Symposium. She was able to meet with several companies and organizations through her contacts in China which included the meeting with World Trade Center and China Great Wall International exhibition, Beijing, in charge of the largest Pet Expo exhibit in the World. After, Galindo and Wagner traveled to Taiwan, in response to the invitation to visit Tainan City from Congressman Jason Lin and the Speaker, Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General of Tainan City Council, as well as several business investors interested
Galindo and Wagner then traveled to Taiwan, in response to the invitation to visit Tainan City from Congressman Jason Lin and the Speaker, Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General of Tainan City Council, as well as several business investors interested in entering the US market through KCMO. Galindo was also able to schedule meeting with other organizations like the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), and World Trade Center – Taipei.
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September 30, 2016: Ambassador of Mexico to the United States, Carlos M. Sada Dinner Reception
(L-R: Photo: Head Consul Alfonso Navarro-Bernachi, Narbeli Galindo, Ambassador Carlos M. Sada)
On September 30, 2016, Narbeli Galindo, EDC Director of International Affairs, was invited by Head Consul Alfonso Navarro-Bernachi, Consulate of Mexico in Kansas City, to meet and dine with the Ambassador of Mexico to the United States- Carlos M. Sada at The American Restaurant (Crown Center). The guest list also included several Kansas City community leaders and executives such as Port Authority, UMKC, KU Medical Center and other organizations.
The Ambassador, Head Consul, and Galindo discussed ways to increase collaborations between Kansas City, Missouri, and Mexico through Trade, Cultural, and Business activities, especially increasing the opportunities for local KCMO companies in Mexico through exports by promoting the next Mission to Mexico.
Ambassador Sada and the Secretary of State of Mexico were here in Kansas City, Missouri for a conference organized by the Consulate of Mexico in Kansas City. The EDC collaborated with the Consulate and had put together a packet of information for the conference attendees and delegates as well.
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September 27, 2016: IntelAg – Launch KC 2015 Winner from Santiago, Chile
Galindo and her team met with Sergio Cardenas, Co-Founder and CTO of IntelAg, a Chilean company that relocated to KCMO on Sept. 27th, 2016 to lead the North America operations. The company is currently situated at ThinkBig.
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Interested In International Business In Kansas City, Missouri?
If you are interested in learning more, please visit the International Business section of our website or view the latest news on our blog. For more information about international business in Kansas City, Missouri, please contact Narbeli Galindo, the EDC’s Director of International Affairs. ngalindo@edckc.com (816) 691-2139 or (800) 889-0636