The international delegation will visit manufacturing facilities, universities, local attractions, a family farm, and the Iowa State Fair during a week-long bus caravan through Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Davenport, Bettendorf, Clinton, Maquoketa, Dubuque, Dyersville, Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Clear Lake, Mason City, Hampton, Marshalltown, Urbandale, and Des Moines.
"Iowa is a rising star in the global marketplace," said Grassley. "This trip will give our international guests an opportunity to savor a slice of the real America. What's more, it will offer key international trade leaders a fresh perspective about our state, including high technology advancements, sophisticated financial and insurance services, educational facilities, quality manufactured goods, raw commodities, and value-added agricultural products."
As chairman of the International Trade Subcommittee in the U.S. Senate, Grassley works to help secure fair trade for U.S. exports. Considering Iowa's economic dependence on international trade, Grassley focuses on ways to break down barriers blocking market access to Iowa farmers and manufacturers.
Fostering good relations with new and existing trading partners is an integral part of Grassley's effort to showcase Iowa's products, people and places. As in previous years, hundreds of Iowa families will open their homes to host the international guests overnight in the Quad Cities, Dubuque, Clear Lake/Mason City, and Des Moines areas.
Grassley salutes the Iowa families, local sponsors and host communities who are helping to make the 1997 Ambassadors Tour a success. Completely funded by private individual and corporate sponsors, Grassley also is working with the Iowa Department of Economic Development to maximize the benefits of his sixth international trade visit to Iowa.
The following schedule includes the specific details for Grassley's sixth international trade tour of Iowa since 1986. A confirmed list of countries and representatives is attached.
Monday, August 11, 1997
CEDAR RAPIDS
10:00 a.m. International Delegation Arrives , Cedar Rapids Airport
10:45 a.m.- Delegation Separates for Tours, The Quaker Oats Company
Rockwell Avionics & Communications
12:15- Tour Exhibit "A Thousand Years of Czech Culture," The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
1:00 p.m. Welcome Luncheon , The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
IOWA CITY
2:45-3:15 p.m. City Tour , Guided Bus Tour of Iowa City
3:15-4:45 p.m. Presentation & Tour, Oral-B Laboratories
DAVENPORT
6:00 p.m. Meet Host Families, St. Ambrose University
6:30 p.m. Community Dinner, St. Ambrose University
Tuesday, August 12, 1997
QUAD CITIES
9:00-11:00 a.m. Delegation Separates for Tours , M.A. Ford Manufacturing Co., Inc.
Davenport
Hansaloy Corporation
Genesis Systems Group, LTD.
BWI KartridgPak
Alter Company
Family Museum of Arts and Science
Davenport Museum of Art
Putnam Museum of History
CLINTON
Noon-1:00 p.m. Lunch & Trade Show , Millennium Petrochemicals
1:15-2:00 p.m. City Tour, Guided Bus Tour of Clinton
MAQUOKETA
2:45-4:30 p.m. Community Ice Cream Social & Trade Show, Squires Manor Bed & Breakfast
3:30-4:30 p.m. Visit Local Attraction, Banowetz Antiques Mall
DUBUQUE
5:30-6:15 p.m. Mississippi River Cruise Meet host families , Aboard "Spirit of Dubuque," Dubuque Riverfront
6:30 p.m. Community Dinner, Iowa Welcome Center Portside Building
Wednesday, August 13, 1997
DYERSVILLE
9:00-10:00 a.m. Visit Local Attraction , "Field of Dreams"
CEDAR FALLS
11:30 a.m. Campus Bus Tour, University of Northern Iowa (UNI)
11:45 a.m.- Presentation & Luncheon , UNI
WATERLOO
1:30-3:15 p.m. Presentation & Tour , John Deere Waterloo Works
MASON CITY
5:00-5:30 p.m. City Tour, Guided Bus Tour of Mason City
CLEAR LAKE
5:45-6:45 p.m. Lake Cruise , Aboard "Lady of the Lake"
7:00 p.m. Trade Show & Community Dinner, Surf Ballroom
Thursday, August 14, 1997
MASON CITY
8:15-9:30 a.m. Tour , Woodharbor Doors & Cabinetry, Inc.
HAMPTON
10:15 a.m.- Farm Visit & Lunch , Symens Family Farm
MARSHALLTOWN
2:00-3:15 p.m. Tour , Lennox Industries, Inc.
3:45 p.m. Embark Train , Union Pacific Depot
5:45 p.m. Disembark Train , Enterprise Elevator
URBANDALE
6:15 p.m. Meet Host Families & Tour , Living History Farms
6:45 p.m. Community Dinner , Living History Farms
Friday, August 15, 1997
DES MOINES
8:00-9:00 a.m. World Food Prize Foundation Breakfast , Marriott Hotel
10:00 a.m. Guided Tram Tour, Iowa State Fair
Noon Farewell Luncheon with Gov. Terry E. Branstad , Fair Director's Residence
3:00 p.m. Departure , Des Moines International Airport