MIDWEST MANUFACTURERS' CONFERENCE ON CHINA SERIES
"Can Midwest Manufacturers Compete in this Global Market?"

(Subject to Change)

 

Click here to download a conference program in PDF format.

Significance of the Conference
  • Timeliness:  Many Midwest manufacturers are currently evaluating various strategic alternatives in competing with their counterparts in the developing countries, mainly China
  • Practicality: All speakers are practitioners primarily from the manufacturing sectors that have faced the same challenges and have on-the-ground experience
  • Uniqueness: The Conference stresses case study and maximum participation from the conference participants
  • Objectivity: The program addresses the issues from a variety of angles, and speakers will share their first hand experiences
  • Solution Oriented: There are many answers to a single question, and the Conference does not purport to provide a solution to some of the challenges that Midwest manufacturers are facing.  The conference will strive to provide insiders' insight on how they approach the challenges they are facing.

Thursday, June 5, 2003
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Registration Begins and Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.

Welcome Remarks and Overview
Siva Yam, CPA, CFA, President, U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce
 
8:45 a.m. - 9: 15 a.m. Special Remarks: China's Current Policies for U.S. Companies
The Honorable Xu Jinzhong, Consul General, Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Chicago (Invited)
 
  9:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Case Study: Tool & Die Shop - Strategies & Experience to Cope with the Competition
    Brian Taylor, Corporate Materials Manager, Danly IEM
 
9:45 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Case Study: Midwest Distributor of Light Material Handling Equipment
"My First Trip to China - Reasons, Impressions & Observations"
Ken Mater, President, Matco Distributors, Inc.
 
10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Coffee Break
 
10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Integration of China into the Strategy of Midwest Manufacturers
Mark Jaeger, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Jockey International, Inc.
 
11:00 a.m. - 11:45 p.m. Emerging Trends in Dealing with Customers and Suppliers
Jeff Zucchi, Executive Vice President and General Manager - Import Division, Escalade Sports
 
  11:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Break
 
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Luncheon and Keynote Address 
"Opportunities & Challenges for U.S. Companies to Trade with China"
The Honorable Wendy S. Cutler, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for North Asian Affairs
 
1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Selling to China: An Oasis or Illusion
William Thomas, Vice President International, ASI Robicon
 
2:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Various Legal Issues in Doing Business with China
Xiaolin Zhou, Esq., Partner, Jun He Law Offices
 
2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Coffee Break
 
3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Putting it all Together: Getting Started & Avoiding the Pitfalls of Making the Wrong Decision
Siva Yam, CPA, CFA, President, U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce
 
3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Town Hall Meeting: Q & A
Various Issues Including: Culture, Logistics, Banking, Relationship Building, Structuring Deals, Crisis Management & Getting Information
Jeffrey Peanick, Senior Vice President, HSBC Bank USA; Ken Sine, Sales Manager, C.H. Robinson; All Participants
 
4:45 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception
   

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