News for immediate release CONTACT: Julia Wanzco
July 28, 2006 (202) 225-5406
English Organizes Local Business Development Conference
Featured Guest: Al Frink, U.S. Commerce Dept.’s Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing & Services, to Attend
Washington, D.C. — As part of his effort to create jobs and opportunity in the 3rd district, U.S. Rep. Phil English (R.-Pa.) announced today his Fourth Annual Business Development Conference and Expo will take place August 1 at Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania. Back by popular demand, the conference and expo will once again feature the U.S. Dept. of Commerce’s Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing & Services Al Frink as its special guest.
“Many local employers face challenges with red tape, tough markets and stiff competition in the global economy. I’m pleased to announce that those issues will be addressed at my business development seminar on August 1,” English said. “We will have many business and technical experts from the federal government to answer questions ranging from how to successfully advance your product in a foreign market to how to obtain finances to strengthen and expand your company. In addition, to help our local businesses further understand the challenges and opportunities of our current economy, I am honored to have Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing & Services Al Frink, join me at the seminar.”
English organized the conference again this year to make sure that local companies have access to the useful resources that the U.S. government offers small businesses. This year’s program will primarily focus on opportunities in Central and South America. U.S. Commercial Service Officers, based in these featured countries, will be readily available to share their experiences from the field and answer questions regarding the possible advancement of our local businesses overseas. As the economy continues to grow, it is crucial that employers have all the help they can get to stay in and grow their businesses, and most importantly to create jobs.
The U.S. Dept. of Commerce’s Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing & Services Al Frink will join English at the seminar. Frink, who was nominated to his current post in 2004 by President Bush, has 30 years of experience in the private sector. Co-founder and former Executive Vice President of Fabrica International, a manufacturer of carpets and rugs, in Orange County, California, Frink helped lead the business into an internationally recognized company.
“I have been around manufacturers all of my life, and I am thoroughly impressed with the manufacturing community here in Erie,” said Frink. “The innovation developed, strengthened, and encouraged in this region is truly remarkable. And for manufacturers, innovation is one of the greatest issues they face in a global economy.”
English invites all area business owners and managers to attend the Business Development Conference and Expo Tuesday, August 1, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. A luncheon hosted by the U.S. Commercial Service and Gannon University Small Business Development Center with guest speaker Luciano Brito, of Echo International, presenting “Why Culture Matters” will follow the seminar and will last until 2:00 pm.
Registration will begin at 8:30 am in the lobby of the Waldron Campus Center, 124 West 7th St. in Erie, PA. Interested parties can register on line at: http://www.buyusa.gov/pittsburgh/english.html or call 814-456-2038 for more information.
“Giving our local employers the tools they need to grow their businesses and hire more workers is critical for the economy and the community,” English said. “I’m pleased that we are able to offer such a panel of experts to speak with our business owners and managers.”
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