| As an international accelerator, OU INC establishes strategic partnerships with key organizations that aid in the transition of international companies developing businesses in Michigan. The Turkish Resource Center of North America (TRCNA) is a major collaborator with OU INC. The TRCNA has been enhancing the relationships between Turkey, the United States, Mexico, and Canada through their interaction with business communities in every sector. TRCNA has both an office in East Lansing and in Turkey, as well as representatives located around the United States. The organization was established by Steven Webster and Nurten Ural, who both serve as Co-Executive Directors for the TRCNA. In addition to his position of Co-Executive Director for TRCNA, Webster also serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Prima Civitas Foundation, of which TRCNA is an affiliate of. Primia Civitas Foundation is a Michigan-based company specializing in economic development. Ural’s duties lie in the development of programs that TRCNA creates. “I do everything with the help of colleagues to make these projects happen from finding grants, clients, developing the projects with Business Initiatives, Educational Collaboration, and Sister Regions and Cultural exchanges,” Ural said. Prior to assisting in the establishment of TRCNA, Ural maintained her own Interior Design business for 32 years. “I had started my business when I was very young and quickly learned that being a woman business owner and dealing with mainly men in the business world was not an easy task. With my experience of being in the business world, I thought that I would be able to make it easier for other women to gain from sharing my experiences,” Ural said. Ural is also the Honorary Consul General for the Republic of Turkey and credits her experiences as a businesswoman as being instrumental in her success with TRCNA. TRCNA’s current list of collaborating partners includes the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey, the Higher Education Consul of Turkey, and the U.S. Embassy’s Economic Section. Their top three areas of concentration includes business initiatives, education collaboration programs, and sister regions and cultural exchange programs. On October 12-13, 2013, TRCNA will be hosting the US-Turkey Creative Economies Summit in Istanbul, Turkey. “By participating in the US-Turkey Creative Economies Summit, it will ignite creativity, strengthen skills, sharpen tech savvy, and connect global peers. The two-Day conference will bring speakers from throughout the United States and Turkey,” Ural said. According to Ural, one of the primary objectives of the Summit is to celebrate the creativity of Turkey’s growing industries and share it with the US audience in belief that the diverse viewpoints and the distinctive creative discourse of Istanbul will enrich the design and culture and creative industries across both countries. Guests will participate in industry specific Trade Missions before and after the Summit in order to boost competitiveness and expand into the dynamic market of Turkey. “By participating in the US-Turkey Creative Economies Summit, it will ignite creativity, strengthen skills, sharpen tech savvy, and connect global peers. The two-day conference will bring speakers from throughout the United States and Turkey,” Ural said. Leaders, faculty, and students are invited to register for the US-Turkey Creative Economies Summit by logging on to www.trcna.org. |
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