WASHINGTON – This morning, Senator Chuck Grassley launched a five-day tour of Iowa for foreign diplomats from 55 countries to promote export and international trade opportunities for agriculture, manufacturing and services produced in Iowa, and to highlight Iowa's top-notch educational institutions.
"In putting this tour together, I hope to encourage and foster collaboration and economic activity that benefits the people of Iowa for many years to come," Grassley said. "Iowans indicate that they see the tour as helpful to building new opportunities for our state's economy by helping to make the tour possible."
Grassley said his ambassadors tour puts a big emphasis on Iowa's people. Visitors see Iowa's renowned workforce through factory and business visits. They stay overnight in the homes of local families and enjoy friendly and generous Iowa hospitality.
"The idea is to have international diplomats get to know first-hand what Iowa has to offer the world community and marketplace. When visitors return to their embassy assignments, they can spread the good word about Iowa Iowans never fail to make a lasting, positive impression," Grassley said.
The 2009 Ambassadors Tour will travel this week through the communities of Huxley, Carroll, Ralston, Storm Lake, Wall Lake, Sac City, Fort Dodge, Webster City, Iowa Falls, Ames, Nevada, Marshalltown, Newton, Ankeny and Des Moines. Diplomats are staying overnight with local host families in Carroll, Fort Dodge and Ames.
Grassley said he started the trade tour in 1986, in response to the farm crisis and as part of an effort to help diversify the state's economy. Fostering good relations with new and existing trading partners is an integral part of Grassley's work as the Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, which is responsible for trade legislation and oversight of the office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Tour events are completely funded by private sponsors. Grassley also works with the Iowa Department of Economic Development to maximize the benefits of the trade tour for Iowa.
Here's a list of countries that accepted the invitation to attend and a schedule of events.
Angola
Antigua & Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Barbados
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Canada
Chad
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Czech Republic
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
France
Georgia
Germany
Hungary
India
Israel
Jamaica
Japan
Kenya
Korea
Laos
Latvia
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Mali
Mexico
Moldova
Mongolia
Nepal
New Zealand
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Peru
Philippines
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Sierra Leone
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Suriname
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Trinidad & Tobago
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
*Times are approximate.
MONDAY AUGUST 17, 2009
10:30 a.m. Arrive, Des Moines International Airport
11:10 a.m. - Lunch and presentation, Principal Financial, 711 High Street, Des Moines
12:30 p.m.
1:15 - 2:15 p.m. Tour and presentation, Firestone Global Distribution Center, 1825 NE 66th Avenue, Des Moines
2:45 - 4 p.m. Tour and presentation, Monsanto, 1551 Highway 210, Huxley
5:40 - overnight Tour and dinner, Santa Maria Winery & Vineyard, 218 West 6th Street, Carroll
TUESDAY AUGUST 18, 2009
7:45 – 8:35 a.m. Tour and presentation, Goodrich, 400 Bella Vista Drive, Carroll
9:20 - 10:20 a.m. Tour and presentation, West Central Co-op, 406 First Street, Ralston
Noon - 1:30 p.m. Tour and presentation, Buena Vista University, 610 West Fourth Street, Storm Lake
2:10 - 3:10 p.m. Tour and presentation, Cookies BBQ, 3444 Mace Avenue, Wall Lake
3:40 - 4:40 p.m. Tour, Harold and Sue Peyton Farm, 2537 Xavier Avenue, Sac City
5:40 – overnight Dinner and presentation by Fort Dodge Chamber of Commerce, at Iowa Central Community College, 330 Avenue M, Fort Dodge
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 19, 2009
7:45 - 10 a.m. Presentations by Tate & Lyle, Fort Dodge Animal Health Lab,Iowa Central Community College,330 Avenue M, Fort Dodge
10:40 - 11:40a.m. Tour and presentation, Electrolux, 400 Des Moines Street, Webster City
12:20 - 1:50 p.m. Presentations by Cargill and Ellsworth Community College, Highway 65, Iowa Falls
2:50 - 5 p.m. Tour and presentations by theVirtual Reality Application Center, Advance Analytical, and Bodyviz, Iowa State University, 1620 Howe Hall, Ames
5:10 – overnight Dinner and tour, Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University, University Boulevard, Ames
THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2009
8:20 - 10:20 a.m. Tour and presentation, Iowa Energy Center, Biomass Energy Conversion Facility (BECON), 1521 West F Avenue and Lincolnway Energy, 59511 West Lincoln Highway, Nevada
11:20 a.m. - Tour and presentation, Lennox International, 200 South 12th Avenue,
12:45 p.m. Marshalltown
1:20 - 2:20 p.m. Tour and presentation, TPI Iowa, 2300 North 33rd Avenue East, Newton
3:20 - 4:20 p.m. Tour and presentation, John Deere, 825 Southwest Irvinedale Drive, Ankeny
4:55 - 5:55 p.m. Tour, Salisbury House, 4025 Tonawanda Drive, Des Moines
6:05 - 8 p.m. Dinner and tour, Des Moines University-Des Moines Partnership dinner, 3200 Grand Avenue, Des Moines
FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2009
7:30 – 9 a.m. Breakfast and presentation, the World Food Prize, Marriott Hotel, 7th & Grand, Des Moines
9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Tour and presentation, Kemin Industries, 2100 Maury Street, Des Moines
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Iowa State Fair