Following closely on Governor Rick Snyder’s fall trade mission to China and the opening of the Michigan China Center in Shanghai, Oakland University presents an executive forum and networking session where Chinese and American government, business and education leaders will present and discuss strategies to support Michigan’s China initiatives as part of its Ambassador Leonard Woodcock Legacy Seminar.
The free seminar is November 1, 2-4:30 p.m., at Oakland University’s Meadow Brook Hall. A networking reception will be held after the seminar from 4:30-6 p.m.
Attendees will gain information on how they take advantage of opportunities in this growing market.
Representatives of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation will report on the September 2012 Michigan Trade Mission to China and Governor Snyder's China initiatives. Confirmed speakers include Chinese Consul General Yang Guoqiang; Tom Watkins, president and CEO TDW and Associates and former superintendent of Michigan schools; Alan Flint, vice president, International-5/3 Bank, Chicago. In addition to Chinese Consul General Yang Guoqiang, a delegation from the Chicago Consulate General, and Michigan government and business practitioners will be in attendance.
The new Michigan China Center provides a physical presence for Michigan with office space and staffing provided through a collaborative program of the Great Lakes Council of Governors. The office will serve several purposes for the state and Michigan businesses: attracting foreign direct investment, export trade development, education initiatives and tourism opportunities between Michigan and China, according to the State of Michigan website.
"Opening this office in Shanghai is an important step in cultivating and expanding partnerships and business opportunities between Michigan and China," Snyder said in a recent press release about the opening. "Having a permanent presence through the Michigan China Center will expand Michigan's engagement in the Chinese market and sends a strong signal about our commitment to increasing exports of Michigan-made products to China and attracting new investments to Michigan."
This year’s Woodcock Seminar is supported by the Center for Integrated Business Research and Education at the Oakland University School of Business Administration, OU’s School of Engineering and Computer Science, OU INC, the Detroit Chinese Business Association, the Chinese Association of Greater Detroit, Automation Alley and Miller Canfield
To reserve your seat, email megilroy@oakland.edu.
About the Woodcock Legacy Seminar Series
The Woodcock Legacy Seminar Series was established at OU in 1990 with the dedication of the Woodcock East Asia Reading Room in the Kresge Library and the Woodcock Collections of Chinese art and scholarly research materials. Named in honor of Leonard Woodcock, former president of the United Auto Workers and first U.S. Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, the program supports bilateral exchanges in education, business and industry, and research, with the goal of promoting mutual understanding between the United States and China. The underlying objective of Woodcock Legacy activities is to advance positive Sino-American cultural, political, and economic relations. The first Woodcock Legacy seminar was presented in 1993 and began a tradition of high quality public service programming for the governmental and business sectors. Designed to provide timely and relevant information to professionals and practitioners involved in China trade and international business development, as well as an appreciation of Chinese culture, the Woodcock seminars have earned a reputation for excellence.