We’ve been let out of the Kellogg building! I was beginning to think I would spend a week in Chicago and never see this incredible city.
UKTI had arranged for all the marketing scholars to attend a champagne reception at the Consulate General’s residence – a 60th floor penthouse overlooking Lake Michigan. The Brits do consulate and embassy receptions really well and it’s a great way to show off. Obviously, for the UK scholars, attendance was a three-line whip and it was good to see how many of the international and American scholars also decided to come.
UKTI hosted dinner at a French restaurant in downtown Chicago (cognitive dissonance anyone?!), with members of the American/British Chamber of Commerce, consulate officials and British Airways, one of our sponsors. One UK businessman started a market research company in Chicago two years ago and now employs 100 staff. His view was that there are pockets of recession and deprivation to be sure, but there is still so much abundance in America and plenty of opportunities for UK companies.
Here’s a little known wiki fact – the British Government has some of the best marketing venues in the world. The former empire has some great real estate and any UK business working with UKTI can use the embassies and consulates for presentations and meetings. The gilt-edged embassy invitations alone are impressive enough to bring out the curious and if you combine the service with an OMIS (Overseas Market Introductory Service), you have access to market research, validated sales leads, contacts and much more. Contact your local International Trade Advisor. Here endeth the commercial….
Seriously, it's a fantastic service with a truly international network and I can't recommend it highly enough. I might just have blown our competitive advantage though, the Swedes, Danes and French were so shocked at this unique UK business service they are off to talk to their governments about opening up their embassies – OOPS!