THATHURMANATOR
09-11-2007, 08:16 AM
http://www.buffalonews.com/145/story/159364.html
http://media.buffalonews.com/smedia/2007/09/10/06/311-bn-20070910-B007-explorebuffalon-59195-MI0001.embedded.prod_affiliate.50.jpg
About 30 executives and officials from around the world are expected to attend the three-day Explore Buffalo Niagara 2007 economic development forum that begins Wednesday.
The turnout of primarily foreign officials and executives is the payoff from the 1,500 invitations that were sent this spring to top business officials offering them a personalized look at what the Buffalo Niagara region can offer their companies.
“For this being the first time this has ever been done in this country, I think it’s a success,” said David A. Roll, the Western New York chapter manager for the National Electrical Contractors Association, who is serving as the initiative’s chairman.
Organizers declined to say exactly who is expected to attend the forum, citing the possibility that last-minute travel changes and business demands could alter some participants’ plans. But they range from a Chinese shoe manufacturer and an executive from a Japanese sake business to a group of officials from Buffalo’s sister city in Tver, Russia.
Roll said he is not disappointed that only a few of the participants who plan to attend the forum are from the United States.
“There is interest from CEOs within the United States. Maybe it’s just the wrong time of year,” Roll said. He said executives from two U.S. companies are interested in coming to the region later but were unable to attend the forum.
http://media.buffalonews.com/smedia/2007/09/10/06/311-bn-20070910-B007-explorebuffalon-59195-MI0001.embedded.prod_affiliate.50.jpg
About 30 executives and officials from around the world are expected to attend the three-day Explore Buffalo Niagara 2007 economic development forum that begins Wednesday.
The turnout of primarily foreign officials and executives is the payoff from the 1,500 invitations that were sent this spring to top business officials offering them a personalized look at what the Buffalo Niagara region can offer their companies.
“For this being the first time this has ever been done in this country, I think it’s a success,” said David A. Roll, the Western New York chapter manager for the National Electrical Contractors Association, who is serving as the initiative’s chairman.
Organizers declined to say exactly who is expected to attend the forum, citing the possibility that last-minute travel changes and business demands could alter some participants’ plans. But they range from a Chinese shoe manufacturer and an executive from a Japanese sake business to a group of officials from Buffalo’s sister city in Tver, Russia.
Roll said he is not disappointed that only a few of the participants who plan to attend the forum are from the United States.
“There is interest from CEOs within the United States. Maybe it’s just the wrong time of year,” Roll said. He said executives from two U.S. companies are interested in coming to the region later but were unable to attend the forum.