WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley today reminded Iowans that in less than two weeks he will bring foreign diplomats from 63 countries to Iowa for his biennial “Ambassadors Tour.” The tour runs from August 13 – 17. The visits will focus on Southeast and South Central Iowa and will conclude with a visit to the Iowa State Fair.
“Our visits to communities throughout Iowa give diplomats from around the world an opportunity to see first hand the possibilities in our state. We’ll showcase our top-notch educational institutions, innovative businesses and friendly people,” Grassley said.
Grassley began the tour during the farm crisis in 1986. Since then, he has invited each country with an embassy located in Washington, D.C. to send to Iowa their ambassador and spouse on the biannual tour. 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.
Grassley will lead the foreign diplomats through the communities of Johnston, Pella, Oskaloosa, Ottumwa, Mount Pleasant, Keokuk, Fort Madison, Burlington, Muscatine, Kalona, Mitchellville, Des Moines and Indianola.
Grassley said that during the week the diplomats will stay in the houses of Iowans at the over-night stops in Pella, Mount Pleasant, and Muscatine. "The people of Iowa never fail to amaze me with their generosity. Our guests from around the world see first-hand why Iowans are the greatest asset our state has," he said.
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, individual and corporate sponsors. Grassley also works with the Iowa Department of Economic Development to maximize the benefits of the trade tour of Iowa.
Here’s a schedule of the events.
Monday, August 13
11 a.m. Diplomats arrive at Des Moines International Airport
11:45 a.m. Johnston, Visit and Lunch at Pioneer Hi-Bred, Carver Conference and Learning Center, 7000 NW 62nd Avenue
Presentations by Hy-Line International and Pioneer Hi- Bred
3:45 – 4:30 p.m. Pella, Visit Pella Window Store, Greetings from
Pella Chamber of Commerce, 617 Franklin Place, Molengracht Plaza
4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Walking tour of Pella Square
5:45 p.m. Pella, Central College
Host families greet diplomats
6 p.m. Dinner at Central College, Graham Conference Center, hosted by Central College
Tuesday, August 14
7:45 – 9 a.m. Pella, Visit Vermeer Manufacturing, 1210 Vermeer Road East,
9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Oskaloosa, Visit William Penn University, Atkins Memorial Union, 201 Trueblood Avenue
Luncheon and Presentations hosted by Musco Lighting.
Presentations by Musco Lighting, Cargill, and Indian Hills Community College Biodevelopment
1:45 – 3 p.m. Ottumwa, Visit John Deere Ottumwa, Bridge View Center, 928 East Vine Street
4-5 p.m. Mount Pleasant, Visit Nypro Kanaack Iowa, 400 North Harvey Road
5:15 – 6 p.m. Mount Pleasant, Visit Midwest Old Threshers Museum, 405 East Threshers Road
6:15 p.m. Mount Pleasant, Host families greet diplomats
Dinner at Mount PleasantHigh School . Hosted by the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce
Wednesday, August 15
8:30-9:45 a.m. Keokuk, Roquette America, Virtual Tour and Product Presentation, First Christian Church, 3476 Main Street
10:15-11:30 a.m. Fort Madison, Visit Cryotech, 6103 Orthoway
Noon – 2:30 p.m. Burlington, Business Presentations and Lunch, Great River Convention & Event Center, 3001 Winegard Drive, hosted by the Burlington-West Burlington Chamber of Commerce
3:45-5:00 p.m. Muscatine, Visit All Steel, 2210 2nd Avenue
5:15 p.m. Muscatine, Host families greet diplomats
Dinner at the Rendezvous, 3127 Lucas Street, Muscatine .
Presentation by the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Thursday, August 16
8:15-9:30 a.m. Kalona, Visit Civco Medical Solutions, 102 First Street South
9:30-10:45 a.m. Visit Downtown Kalona
11:30-1:30 p.m. Williamsburg, Visit Kinze Manufacturing, I-80 at Exit 216
2:15-3:30 p.m. Mitchellville, Visit Birchmier Family Farms, 7180 NE 120th Street
5:45 p.m. Indianola, Visit Summerset Winery, 15101 Fairfax, Dinner and program hosted by the Greater Des Moines Partnership
Friday, August 17
7:45-9 a.m. Des Moines, World Food Prize Breakfast, Marriott Hotel, 700 Grand Avenue
9:30-10:30 Indianola, Visit Cementech, 1700 North 14th Street
11:00-12:30 p.m. Iowa State Fair tour
12:30-2:00 p.m. Lunch at Iowa State Fair, Iowa Farm Bureau Shelter
3:30 p.m. FlightLeavesDes MoinesInternationalAirport for Washington, D.C.
Here is a list of the countries to be represented (list subject to change).
Angola
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
Canada
Chad
Chile
Croatia
Czech Republic
Democratic Republic of Congo
Dominican Republic
Egypt
France
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
Honduras
Hungary
India
Ireland
Japan
Kenya
Korea
Laos
Mali
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Mongolia
Namibia
Netherlands
Oman
Pakistan
Panama
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Romania
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Trinidad and Tobago
Uruguay
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia