Woodcock seminar seeks to expand business ties with China

Entrepreneurs, business professionals, government officials and educational experts interested in helping establish and expand business relationships between the U.S and China are invited to attend the Oakland University's 2010 Ambassador Leonard Woodcock Legacy Seminar.

This year's event will offer an executive forum and networking session focused on fostering solid relationships across cultures, promoting understanding and navigating cross-cultural etiquette and politics to benefit both countries. Attendees will learn about opportunities and challenges and connect with key experts from both countries.

County government and education experts who'll lead discussions on local and national bridge-building opportunities include:

• William Skilling, superintendent of Oxford Schools
• Doug Smith, deputy county executive for Oakland County
• Mohan Tanniru, dean of the School of Business Administration at Oakland University

U.S. and Chinese business representatives who'll lead a forum discussion on doing business in the U.S and China include:

• Donald Lifton, vice chair of Revstone Group
• Diana Mao, general manager of SG Automotive North America

Guoqiang Yang, consul general of the People's Republic of China to Chicago, will give the keynote address and the event will conclude with a discussion and viewing of Tagore Collection paintings.

The event is sponsored by Butzel Long, Oakland County, Oakland University's School of Business Administration, its Center for Integrated Business Research and Education (CIBRE) and the Woodcock Legacy. It is presented in partnership with Automation Alley and the Detroit Chinese Business Association.

The Woodcock Legacy Seminar will begin at 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 22, at Meadow Brook Hall on the campus of Oakland University. A $50 registration fee includes the seminar and a networking reception. Seating is limited and reservations are strongly recommended. For more information, visit oakland.edu/woodcock10. To register, contact Carrie Sliwinski at cmking@oakland.edu or (248) 370-3286.