Philadelphia Orchestra tour updates & highlights

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LONDON – June 5
Today’s agenda included a Life Science briefing with UK companies, focusing on PA state resources and successes as well as the Philadelphia life sciences greenhouse. Almac, a london based company with a U.S. headquarters based in PA presented a case study of their success. A networking reception brought together the business community and UK partners followed by the first of two orchestra concerts in London.

LONDON – June 4
The highlight of our first day in Merry Old England was Matt Cabrey of Select Greater Philadelphia showcasing the regional assets and business environment of the City of Brotherly Love. We also had meetings with the BioIndustry Association, London’s ITC Accelerator and a business investment prospect.

AMSTERDAM – June 3-4
Our first day in Amsterdam was filled with business prospect meetings. This busy trend continued the next day followed by a great seminar delivered by multiple passionate ambassadors for Pennsylvania who delivered the message that Pennsylvania is “The World’s Gateway to North America”. John Mahnen from the Amsterdam American Business Club kicked off the seminar followed by Wilfred Muskens of PA’s OIBD speaking to the seminar’s main topic. Hilde Cevaal of VisaVersa presented immigration options to potential Dutch investors and RES Software did a great job explaining why their company invested in PA.

A networking reception followed and then, you guessed it, another amazing concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra.

VIENNA – June 2
The Austrian capital hosted the PA delegation for a full day of meetings in four different venues bringing together companies and government officials interested in doing business with Pennsylvania. Highlights included a Business in PA seminar at Greiner Packworld, and a meeting to discuss options for expanding the PA brand in Hungary, Croatia, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

PARIS – June 1
The business development team rode the train back to Paris where Deputy Secretary of OIBD Wilfred Muskens led a series of business development meetings. This included three one-on-one appointments with companies looking to invest and expand in PA. The team also met with French officials to discuss opportunities for collaboration between the Commonwealth and France.

VIENNA – June 1
Two countries, one day, as the team arrived in Vienna, Austria for three meetings. First up was a planning session for a PA/German incubator and soft landing space, as well as future plans for PA at Hannover Messe 2015 (the world’s largest industrial trade show). Next up was a retention visit and tour with Greiner Packaging. The company discussed talent attraction and retention, and international expansion ideas for the future. The day concluded by meeting with investment prospects for the paper/pulp and oil/gas industry. These companies are interested in expanding to US markets and PA is a prime destination for both industries. Additional introductions and research about the Commonwealth will be provided and future week long visit are being planned by the OIBD teams in Harrisburg and Germany.

LYON – May 30
While work continues in Lyon, including meetings with university partners and the Rhone Alpes regional government, the reception for both the Philadelphia Orchestra and PA’s international business development team has been amazing.

“It’s all about creating deeper cultural connections between two cities, so there can be deeper business connections, social connections,” said Philadelphia Deputy Mayor Alan Greenberger.

LYON – May 29
Today started with a meeting with an investment prospect considering locating a sales office in Pennsylvania within in the next 6 months. Next up, was an “Invest in PA” seminar with presentations by Philadelphia Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Alan Greenberger, DCED Deputy Secretary for the Office of International Business Development Wilfred Muskens, and attorneys from partner and sponsor Pepper Hamilton.

Each seminar has concluded with one-on-one discussions with investment prospects.

The delegation then quickly shuttled to the Rhone Alpes Regional Headquarters for the resigning of a strategic MOU between the Commonwealth and the region as well as an MOU between Penn State and the INSA Lyon for engineering research partnerships.

The day concluded with another outstanding concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra, followed by a press event and unveiling of Liberty Bell replica in Lyon.

PARIS – May 28
It’s been a busy start to the business development component of the Philadelphia Orchestra Tour. This morning began with a seminar with seven companies, considering expansion to the United States. They ranged from snack food manufacturers to plastics companies. A regulatory expert provided background on the legal aspects of contracting for the United States as well as the intricacies of working with the FDA. Blandine Chantepie-Kari of the French American Chamber of Commerce provided information on the upcoming BIO2015 convention in Philadelphia, as well as the benefits of doing business in the Philadelphia region. Lindsay Helsel, Team PA International Initiatives Manager, presented on the assets of Pennsylvania and statistics and facts for the life sciences industry. The meeting concluded with one-on-one meetings with interested companies.

After some additional meetings with prospects the team will be taking a train to Lyon to begin the second French stage of the business development mission.

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DORTMUND – May 28
David Letterman would have been proud of the team’s work in Dortmund, Germany as they presented, “10 Things to Know About Doing Business in PA.” Team PA Board Director Bruce Heugel of B. Braun informed the prospective investors in the audience about his own company’s success in locating in the Lehigh Valley. DCED’s Center for Direct Investment focused their presentation on the strengths of Pennsylvania’s energy and manufacturing sectors. The seminar concluded with a talk by partner and sponsor Pepper Hamilton on the legal complexities of doing business in the United States and Pennsylvania.

The evening activities will center around the orchestra’s concert in Dortmund.

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Below is a stream of social media being generated by participants of the tour. Check back for regular updates.
https://storify.com/TeamPA/philadelphia-orchestra-tour