WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley reminded Iowans today that he is bringing a caravan of foreign dignitaries to Iowa on Monday, August 17 as the 12th Ambassadors Tour kicks off. Grassley's Ambassadors Tour will run from August 17-21.
Every
other year Grassley invites each country with an embassy located in Washington, D.C. to send to Iowa their ambassador and spouse. If the ambassador is unable to participate, the embassy has the option of sending another designee. The participants travel through a portion of the state to learn more about Iowa's businesses, agriculture, education and culture.
"I look forward to showing the foreign diplomats what makes Iowa special," Grassley said. "Iowa's businesses and education system and most importantly our people never fail to make a wonderful and long lasting impression for the diplomats to pass on to others in their home country."
The 2009 Ambassadors Tour will travel 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.
Grassley said during the week the diplomats will stay overnight in the homes of Iowans in Carroll, Fort Dodge and Ames.
"Iowans take the time to make the foreign diplomats feel welcome with real Midwestern hospitality. It's easy to see why our people are the state's greatest asset," Grassley said.
Grassley began the Ambassadors Tour in 1986 during the farm crisis. Fostering good relations with new and existing trading partners is an integral part of Grassley's work as the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees trade issues.
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
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