Whiteside County Partners with the International Trade Association of Greater Chicago

Published on Tuesday, August 9, 2016 by Expansion Solutions Magazine

Morrison, IL — American companies are increasingly going overseas in search of growth and new opportunities – opportunities that could mean more sales and profits. In an effort to help the region’s businesses identify these opportunities for growth. The Whiteside County Economic Development Department (WCEDD) has begun working with the International Trade Association of Greater Chicago (ITAGC), a leading non-profit business association that provides a forum for the exchange of up-to-date and practical information on the latest trends and tools that affect the ever changing global market place. With more than 600 members, the ITAGC represents a range of interests – consular/diplomatic groups, industrial, merchandise, service companies, and academic organizations – and the WCEDD is looking to tap into the group’s network to uncover trade opportunities for the region’s businesses, assistance in organizing and conducting inbound and outbound trade missions, and to increase the market’s awareness of the Whiteside County/Northwest Illinois Region as a suitable location for Foreign Direct Investment.

Richard Paullin, Executive Director of the International Trade Association of Greater Chicago, said, “We bring people and ideas together…on a global scale, and we’ll provide whatever assistance we can to Whiteside County and its businesses that are looking for increased exposure to global trade. International trade is good for all of our economies and communities, and we’re happy to be working with Whiteside County and its businesses.”

Gary Camarano, Whiteside County Economic Development Director, explained, “The Midwest attracts a lot of opportunities for international trade. By partnering with the ITAGC we can have access to an established and respected trade association that can help us identify opportunities for our Region’s export ready businesses, and to increase the awareness in the international trade arena about the Northwest Illinois Region. Our Region’s advantages in machinery manufacturing, metal fabrication, logistics and advanced agriculture could translate into greater international trade opportunities and more revenues, and ultimately more jobs for the Region.”

Among the many services that the ITAGC provides is the well-known Illinois International Business Calendar – a consolidated list of all major global business themed events in the Chicagoland area. This useful tool can be accessed at http://calendar.itagc.org/. Businesses of all sizes and stages can also access the Whiteside County Business Assistance Guide, a resource tool providing links to information and expertise. The Business Assistance guide can be found HERE.

For additional information about the International Trade Association of Greater Chicago go to www.itagc.org. For information about the Whiteside County Economic Development Department and its programs to assist businesses contact econdev@whiteside.org.