AICC To Lead Business Mission To Israel

 Georgia’s Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine  

The American-Israel Chamber of Commerce (AICC) will lead a delegation from Georgia on a business mission to Israel from Dec. 13 to 18, exploring business opportunities for their companies and economic development for the state.

The mission will focus on the AICC’s priority areas including life science, cleantech, security, software and telecommunications. Leaders from Georgia companies as well as government and economic development officials will take part in the mission, including: John Oxendine, Georgia’s Insurance Commissioner and honorary chairman of the U.S.-Israel TeleHealth Business Exchange ; Maggie Bellville, partner at CarterBaldwin and former cable industry senior executive; Ben Taube, executive director of the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA); Kevin Fletcher, vice president of economic development and Robin Spratlin, general manager of economic development for Georgia Power ; Bob Keefe, senior vice president and CIO, and Ken Clark, vice president product management & marketing for Mueller Water Products; and Tom Glaser, president, American Israel Chamber of Commerce 

 The mission has an intense schedule that will include participation in the Globes Business Conference in Tel Aviv that features a business-to-business track with top Israeli business leaders and industry sector sessions, a recruitment event for the U.S.-Israel TeleHealth Business Exchange in February, one-on-one meetings with companies to pursue business and economic development interests, a visit to Yokneam-Megiddo, Atlanta’s Partnership 2000 community and Ra’anana, Atlanta’s sister city, a special visit to Haifa to meet with key governmental and business leaders, a meeting with leaders of Israel’s venture capital community, and visits to historical and religous sites.

Participants will meet with Israeli governmental and business leaders, including prominent investors in the technology, life sciences and cleantech industries. Each member of the delegation will have prearranged meetings with potential partners and economic development prospects.

Tom Glaser, AICC president says: “The current global economic crisis has made businesses more receptive to looking at new places and Israel continues to be a great source of economic and business activity for Georgia, and with this strong delegation, the mission will certainly advance our reach and initiatives that benefit both areas.”