Details About the May 9-16, 2009 Trade Mission to Hungary:
(As of March 27, 2009)
After an excellent
planning meeting early in March, the Economic Development program team
decided to continue to plan our trip to Hungary for this year. However,
due to the economic situation, we have a much more specific focus and
plan to have a reduced number of individuals participating in the trade
mission trip to Hungary.
The primary purpose of the Hungary Trade Mission is to "scout" out polymer
companies of potential interest, as identified in the market research
done for us by US Commercial Services.
The main contact on the technical aspects for this visit is Joe Jacomet of PolymerOhio.
The second technical
person on trip will be Professor Judit Puskas, UAkron, a polymer expert
who was born in Hungary.
Joe will keep Judit informed on progress and requirement. Both are
reviewing the market research now to find specific companies they will
set up meetings with.
Our group is also working to identify any "professional organizations" or trade groups in polymers in Hungary that we could meet with during the Trade Mission.
Our group consists of:
Jeanette Grasselli Brown and Glenn Brown –
CHDP
Carolyn Balogh and Jim Balogh – CHDP
Kevin Aspegren – OhioU/Univ of Pecs
Joe Jacomet – PolymerOhio
Prof. Judit Puskas – UAkron
Lél Somogyi – CHDP & Open World Solutions
The group will be staying at the Intercontinental, concierge floor, in Budapest, Hungary.
Our proposed schedule currently is:
> Arrive Sunday, May 10
> Monday, May 11: Meetings arranged by with appropriate ministers, government officials, AMChem, and Embassy staff to provide us with an overview of current situation in Hungary regarding technology and technology transfer. (Note: We have tentatively scheduled a meeting at 4 pm with Gyorgy Retfalvi of ITD for Monday.)
> Monday May 11 evening: We will host a dinner for our group, Mr. Retfalvi with ITD, possible government rep., AmChem, Embassy rep, and others as selected.
> Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 13: Meetings with polymer companies, organizations, entrepreneurs - in Budapest (Note: ITD has offered the use of their offices in Budapest for these meetings. Miklos Martin-Kovacs was at our last meeting and said he and ITD would work with us on all arrangements.)
> Thursday, May 14: Visit to Miskolc. Travel by train. Miklos Martin-Kovacs and ITD are handling all arrangements and setting up meetings for us in Miskolc.
> Friday, May 15: Return to US
The Trade Mission is in the process working to raise funding. We know this is a VERY difficult time in US (as in Hungary). Funding request proposals are out to a number of organizations. We welcome any interested organizations to contact us.
We anticipate the May meeting will be successful. Consequently, we have started planning a follow-up full scale Trade Mission for May, 2010. Among others, we expect participation by the Mayor of Cleveland (sister city, Miskolc) and the Mayor of Akron (polymer capital of the world).
In May 2010, we will
follow-up on opportunities related to biotechnology companies and
polymer companies, and if desired by Hungarian business community in
Hungary, we are prepared to present a seminar in Hungary on "Innovation
to Market" concepts, based on what we have learned from successful
experiences in NE Ohio.
Further information on the May 2009 Trade Mission is available by
contacting Dr. Jeanette Grasselli Brown at
grabro@aol.com.