FDI FORUM Follow Up: China's BYD Co. To Open in California-WSJ

The WSJ published an article today that BYD Company announced  it will open a new facility in Lancaster, Ca. Ultimately BYD hopes to meet "Buy America"  procurement guidelines and sell electric buses to municipalities who can tap into Federal subsidies that cover up to 80% of the vehicle cost.

The company has many investors but no name more familiar than Warren Buffet.

The article gives some very diverse insights to the US investment strategy of this company and echos much of what Deloitte's Kris Knutsen, Sr Manager, Chinese Services Group spoke about in his China presentation at the recent FDI Forum in St Louis.

WSJ - Chinese Car Makers Favorite  Passenger: Uncle Sam

Minneapolis Forum Sold Out- Wait List Now Open

With just over a month remaining before The Consultants Forum opens in Minneapolis June 1 this event is fully subscribed and a wait list is now open for those who'd like to attend should new openings occur.

To be placed on the wait list please register and you will be notified no later than May 15th if an opening becomes available. Names will be selected on a first received basis.

The December Consultants Forum in Charleston is now available for registration for those wishing to attend the next Forum. Limited Early Bird Rates are available for what is expected to be another early sold out Forum event.
 

Selling Out -- News Update on this Spring's Consultants Forums.

The Consultants Forums FDI event in St Louis starting April 14 at The Four Seasons Hotel has just sold out.  An even 100 ED professionals will be in attendance to hear from leading consultants and business advisers who will speak on current FDI  trends shaping inward investment from Asia, Canada, Mexico , Europe and other world markets. Presenters from The Netherlands, UK, Canada, Mexico, Japan and South Korea will  join several US based  global market consultants to speak, network and visit with those who are attending this special Forum.

Host State and Regional Sponsors Missouri Partnership and St Louis Regional Chamber lead the Forum's list of generous sponsors.

June's Consultants Forum at the Graves 601 Hotel in Minneapolis has already drawn close to it's 100 seat sell out  with only 11 seats remaining as of this date.  With a strong program focused on resurgent US manufacturing and an outstanding speaker list just finalized it appears that this Forum will be sold out by mid April. If you are planning to attend we suggest that you register asap.

Also only two sponsorships remain available. Both Sponsorships are Platinum level and include full registrations and attendence to the private Speaker/Sponsor Reception for up to three delegates plus other advantages. These Sponsorships can be cost shared among different organizations.

Host State and Regional Sponsors Positively Minnesota and the Greater Minneapolis /Saint Paul Chamber lead this Forum's list of generous sponsors.

For Sponsorship details and information email Dennis Shea. For a speaker list please contact Matt Shea  .

      

FDI Forum Attracting Strong Participation

The FDI Forum taking place in St Louis, April 14-16 at The Four Seasons Hotel has already 80+ EDCs registered for the limited 100 seats available at this special Consultants Forum event.

With more than two months to go it is expected this timely Forum will be an early sellout. For those planning to attend we encourage registering at your earliest convenience and booking your hotel to get the low conference rate.

Please contact Annie Gregson at 212. 579. 4469 for more information on registration, speakers and available sponsorships.

Bet On US Pays Off For German Carmakers

Interesting article from the NY Times on how the leading German carmakers are betting on the US market and increasing their FDI footprint.

Speakers Announced for FDI Forum in St Louis

The list of initial speakers have been finalized and will be made available in our next email January 18th. For those  who would like to receive an "early look"at the speakers list please email dshea@areadevelopment.com .

A full and  final speaker list will be made available in early February. 

The Columbus Region Becomes A Five Star Sponsor

The Columbus Region (Ohio)  will sponsor at all four 2013 Forums and joins our Five Star Sponsors group of EDCs who have sponsored at five or more Consultants Forum events.

The Columbus Region joins Georgia Power, Missouri Partnership, Georgia ED, Team Nevada, Arkansas EDC, The Atlanta Chamber, City of Opelika (Al), Brunswick & Golden Isles (Ga) , El Paso RedCo (Tx), and Fairfield 33 (Oh) as the most recent who have sponsored five or more Forums since the first took place in 2006.

 Please contact Annie Gregson for information on available sponsorship opportunities.

2013 Consultants Forums Drawing Early Rush of Attendees and Sponsors

Within the first two weeks of  2013 more than 80 ED professionals from across North America have signed up to attend one or more of this years Consultants Forum events. The limited  number of sponsorship opportunities are also drawing interest with nearly 20 commitments from state, utility and local EDCs for this years Forums.

With FDI now at the top of many ED marketing and strategic agendas the special FDI Forum promises to be an early sell out for this limited seat April event in St Louis. The FDI Forum's 100 available seats are already close to half committed at this early date.  Early Bird registration will close on  January 18th or when the first 50 seats are filled. FDI is also drawing a very strong interest in its  sponsorship opportunities.

The June Consultants Forum will take place in Minneapolis and is well ahead of normal registration pace among both repeat and  new delegates. The buzz - the Twin Cities and Graves 601 Hotel  venue are attracting attention but more importantly its the many Fortune 1000 companies and consultants in the area that makes this event a perfect combination with spring travel schedules.

EDCs who are planning to attend or have 4 or More Forum registrations this year should consider this special registration package offer that saves over 20% in registration fees.

For more registration or sponsorship information contact Annie Gregson at 212. 579.4469