CHICAGO (May 6, 2008) - The US-Poland Business Forum to be held on May 14-15, 2008 at the University of Chicago Gleacher Center (www.gleachercenter.com) will be one of the largest conferences in recent years addressing issues related to trade and investment between the US and Poland. Hosted by the Polish American Chamber of Commerce (PACC), the event will bring together business and government leaders, media representatives and educators who have been active participants in, or intimate observers of, US-Poland trade and investment relations.

The conference attendees will find this event to be an ideal opportunity to meet face to face with many of the prime movers in the area of Polish American trade. 

      The theme Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Context of US-Poland Trade and Investment Relations will provide the focus of the general session, various break-out sessions, as well as the keynote speech. Adam Szejnfeld,  Secretary of State in Poland’s Ministry of Economy,

the keynote speaker, will address the conference on “The Economic Priorities  for the Current Polish Government and Their Impact on Polish American Economic Relations.” Other sessions will present export promotion strategies and instruments, issues of Polish and American market access as well as an overview of Polish American commercial relations and accelerating innovation in entrepreneurship. The attendees will also have an opportunity to become familiar with a variety of distinct regions in Poland and meet with a record number of Marshals (provincial governors) at one gathering in Chicago, including Adam Jarubas from Swietokrzyskie; Marian Ormaniec  from Slaskie (Silesia); Jozef Sebesta from Opolskie; and Krzysztof Szymanski from Lubuskie. Furthermore, there will be corporate leaders and specialists in the area of transportation, construction materials, heavy construction equipment, higher education, public works and special economic zones eager to meet with their counterparts here in the Midwest. 

      According to the PACC, the value Polish Americans add to Chicago’s gross regional product amounts to approximately $50 billion. “By participating in our event, US-based companies have an excellent opportunity to tap into one of the largest and most important market niches in the area,” says PACC executive director Bogdan Pukszta. “At the same time, there will also be those seeking information on trade, partnership and investment opportunities in Poland, an attractive gateway now to both the EU, of which Poland now is a full-fledged member, and eastern Europe. We’re very pleased that the Economic Department of the Consulate General of Poland in Chicago is among the earliest and strongest supporters of the event.” 

      The Department of Trade and Investment at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Washington DC is an institutional sponsor as well, and has deemed the Forum important with regard to the development of Polish-American trade and economic relations.  

      As the host  organization, the Polish American Chamber of Commerce intends to make a significant contribution to helping identify new markets and new opportunities, with special emphasis on capitalizing on the Illinois-Poland partnership. “We are confident that our previous achievements and expertise, coupled with sponsor assistance and participation will ensure the event’s success, benefiting the local business community, the State of Illinois, and Poland in general,” added PACC president Kazmierczak.  

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      As the voice of Polish American business men and women, the PACC is dedicated to serving their best interests through education on current trends and facilitating commercial contacts. The organization is at the forefront at encouraging and promoting domestic and foreign trade to benefit its members, and to contribute to the expansion and integration of the Polish and Polish American business  communities in the U.S. and abroad.

For additional information call 1.773.205.1998 or visit www.polishamericanbusiness.com