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Illinois is no stranger to the British market,

and neither are the Brits to Illinois

The State of Illinois with its West European office in Brussels is no stranger to the UK market. Just a Eurostar train ride away (2hours 20 minutes) one can be in London for the start of a business workday at 8:30 a.m. local British time. Once business has been conducted in London we can then progressively work our way upwards to the North, west and east or southwards to the rest of the country.

The Brussels office was set up in 1968 with the goal of assisting Illinois companies to find new market opportunities in Europe by the virtue of finding distributors, agents, joint venture partners and end users. At that time Illinois was the 2nd American state, after the State of New York to open a representative office outside of the United States and today there are about 18 American states represented in Europe. Consequently, Illinois’ strength has been its commitment and continuity to international business and foreign markets. Today the State of Illinois has 9 foreign offices strategically located throughout the world.

Illinois' first solo promotional seminar took place in Birmingham 15 years ago on October 24th 1991. Our efforts were supported very much by our British connections in Chicago. We were joined on the platform by David Kay, now Chairman of the BABCC and Saul Caisman now President of the BABCC and received sponsorship from American Airlines. It was the start of what has become a long and strong working and personal relationship with the BABC of Chicago.

Since that time we have conducted many seminars, roundtables and workshops in London, Wentworth, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle and Glasgow. We have conducted many individual meetings with British companies wanting to expand into the United States. Equally, Illinois companies’, politicians, Illinois Governors, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Bears and a myriad of institutions and individuals from Illinois have graced the shores of the UK. It is rewarding to know that over a year ago the University of Chicago opened a campus in London offering its highly recognized management programs.

Britain is one of our most lucrative markets and we continue to proactively work the country by maintaining our business relationships and conducting pro-active promotions. Moreover, we are always on the look out to develop new ones and to find new business opportunities whether in the trade or investment field. Through our membership of BABI London and the BABC of the West Midlands we hope to find some of those opportunities.

If you think that we can be of assistance to you or provide you with any information on Illinois then please give us a call.

Thank you from all of us representing the State of Illinois.

This article was contributed by:
Sharon Stead
Managing Director
State of Illinois West European Office
Brussels, Belgium
Email: Brussels@illinoistrade.org
www.illinoisbiz.biz

If you would like to submit an article to Anglofile, please
e-mail Chris Brenkus at cbrenkus@babcc.org. Article contributions are most welcome.

12th Annual British Christmas Gala

This year’s gala, which is sponsored by exclusive Platinum Sponsor American Airlines, will be held on December 8, 2006 at the Chicago Cultural Center from 6:30 p.m. to Midnight.

This year the BABCC is partnering with Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will go to the Foundation to help grant wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses. Make-A-Wish families also will be on hand to share their inspiring stories with guests.

Amid the exquisite ambiance of the Chicago Cultural Center, the evening will feature impressive silent and live auction items, fine cuisine catered by George Jewell Catering, and dancing to the Bill Pollack Orchestra. Guests also enjoy pre-dinner music by the British School of Chicago students, traditional 12-, 17-, and 21-year old Glenfarclas Highland Single Malt Whisky and American Bourbon sampling, shopping for British food and collectibles from Made in Britain, as well as other Christmas surprises.

Some of the exciting auction items include: Cubs Roof top party for ten; chef's dinner for 4 at Vermillion; an evening on the town chauffeured in the luxury Maybach; hotel stays in Chicago, San Francisco and New York; dress rehearsal tickets to the Lyric Opera; Bears tickets; the very hot Christmas item: T.M.X. Elmo. Click the following link to view the many offerings: Christmas Gala Auction Items. Each day more exciting donations are added.

If you have an auction item you would like to donate, contact Chris Brenkus at cbrenkus@babcc.org or call Chris at 312-828-9861.

We hope you will join us for this festive occasion. For additional information or to register online click on the following link: 12th Annual British Christmas Gala. Or call Chris Brenkus at 312-828-9861 or e-mail her at cbrenkus@babcc.org.

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