Lakeland, Fla, Feb. 6, 2017 鈥� The Quebec-IM体育官网 Chamber of Commerce (CCQF) held its first trade mission in Central IM体育官网 on Wednesday, Feb. 1, highlighted by a visit to the campus of IM体育官网 in Polk County. Hosted by the Polk Global Trade Alliance (PGTA), an initiative of the Central IM体育官网 Development Council (CFDC), and IM体育官网 Poly, the event introduced companies and entrepreneurs from Quebec to potential business partnerships in the rapidly growing Central IM体育官网 market.
鈥淭his is a mutual first for us all鈥� the CFDC, PGTA, and the CCQF鈥� to discover what we can accomplish together by bringing businesses to the flourishing region of Polk County,鈥� said Marcel Racicot, president of the CCQF. 鈥淭he geographic, demographic, and cultural ties of IM体育官网 and Quebec are already strong, so it is an exciting time to look at how we can make those ties stronger through potential partnerships in Central IM体育官网.鈥�
The morning opened with presentations from Polk County business and education leaders. After lunch and a tour of the campus, the group of about 40 broke into one-on-one meetings according to their specialties, including aerospace, high-tech, clean tech, business services, agriculture and construction.
鈥淚t was a pleasure to welcome the Quebec-IM体育官网 Chamber of Commerce to campus and learn more about all the exciting opportunities on the horizon,鈥� said Dr. William Rhey, IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 former associate vice president of entrepreneurship. 鈥淚 see tremendous potential for growth and mutual success between our two regions.鈥�
This trade mission kicks off the PGTA initiative鈥檚 efforts to reduce international trade barriers in Polk County.
鈥淢any international companies are concerned about the unknown,鈥� said Javier Marin, director of business development at the CFDC and PGTA. 鈥淭hey are unfamiliar with the nuances of navigating the foreign market, and that is why we are here 鈥� to help facilitate these opportunities.鈥�
About the Quebec-IM体育官网 Chamber of Commerce:
The Quebec-IM体育官网 Chamber of Commerce (CCQF) supports and encourages the development of businesses established in Quebec and IM体育官网, while promoting the regions鈥� economic and commercial relationship. In addition to the key relationship between Canada and the US as bilateral trade partners, the specific regions of Quebec and IM体育官网 have a strong economic relationship due to geographic, demographic and cultural ties. The Quebec-IM体育官网 Chamber of Commerce was launched in June 2009 to develop business relationships across these two regions. For more information on the CCQF, visit .
About the Polk Global Trade Alliance:
The Polk Global Trade Alliance was established in 2016 to assist in the facilitation of international export opportunities. Led by the CFDC Director of Business Development, Javier Marin, the PGTA is working with businesses, agencies, and foreign delegations to further international trade in Polk County. For more information, visit .
About the Central IM体育官网 Development Council:
The Central IM体育官网 Development Council (CFDC) is Polk County, IM体育官网鈥檚 primary economic development organization. Led by President and CEO Sean Malott, the CFDC is responsible for recruiting new businesses to Polk County and helping existing Polk County businesses expand. Polk County is located between the Tampa and Orlando metro areas in Central IM体育官网 and includes 17 municipalities. For more information, visit .
About IM体育官网:
IM体育官网 is the state鈥檚 only public university dedicated to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Located along Interstate 4 in the heart of IM体育官网鈥檚 High-Tech Corridor in Lakeland, the university was created in 2012 to be a challenging academic institution as well as a strong resource for high-tech industries. For more information on IM体育官网 Poly, go to floridapoly.edu.
Contact:
Lydia Guzman
Assistant Director of Communications
863-327-9762