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For Immediate Release
July 19, 2005
Grassley Bringing The World To Iowa
Senator Leads Dignitaries from 74 Countries
Washington - Sen. Chuck Grassley today announced that he will once again bring foreign diplomats to Iowa during his biennial "Ambassadors Tour" from Aug. 15 – 19. Already, representatives from 74 countries are signed up for the tour.
Grassley's Ambassadors Tour is designed to showcase Iowa's resources, facilitate greater economic collaboration between Iowa and other countries, and expose Iowa to the rich diversity of the world community. The first tour was held in 1986. The dignitaries visit several businesses as well as tour the Iowa State Fair and a family farm.
“This is an opportunity for Iowa to show the world our innovative businesses, celebrated agriculture, and top-notch schools,” Grassley said. “Our guests will learn about Iowa's people, land and businesses and take this back to their home countries. We’re making real connections here.”
The week-long tour will travel through the communities of Des Moines, Marshalltown, Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Charles City, Waverly, Denver, Dubuque,Cedar Rapids, Amana, Iowa City, Williamsburg, Grinnell, Prairie City, and West Des Moines.
Every other year, Grassley invites each country with an embassy located in Washington, D.C. to send to Iowa their ambassador and spouse. If the ambassador is unable to participate, the embassy has the option of sending another designee.
Grassley said during the week the diplomats will stay in the houses of Iowans at the over-night stops in the Cedar Valley, Dubuque, and Iowa City. "Our friends from around the world see first-hand the generosity of hundreds of Iowans. They're immersed in Iowa values and friendship," he said.
Grassley began his effort during the 1980s farm crisis. Fostering good relations with new and existing trading partners is an integral part of Grassley’s work as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees trade issues.
Tour events are completely funded by private, individual and corporate sponsors. Grassley also works with the Iowa Department of Economic Development to maximize the benefits of the trade tour of Iowa.
Here is the schedule for the week.
| Monday, August 15, 2005 |
| 11:00 a.m. |
Delegation Arrives at Des Moines International Airport. |
| 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. |
Des Moines, Luncheon hosted by Principal Financial Group, Principal Financial Group, Corporate 4, 600 7th Street. |
| 2:45 – 3:45 p.m. |
Marshalltown, Tour Fakespace Systems Technology Center. |
| 5:15 – 6:15 p.m. |
Cedar Falls, Reception at the University of Northern Iowa, Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. |
| 6:45 – 8:00 p.m. |
Cedar Falls, Dinner hosted by the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance, PIPAC Center on the Lake, 1521 Technology Parkway. |
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| Tuesday, August 16, 2005 |
| 7:00 – 7:45 a.m. |
Waterloo, Breakfast hosted by John Deere Waterloo Works, 3500 East Donald Street. |
| 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. |
Waterloo, Tour John Deere Waterloo Works, 3500 East Donald Street. |
| 10:45 a.m. – 12 noon |
Charles City, Tour Fort Dodge Animal Health, 2000 Rockford Road. |
| 1:00 – 2:15 p.m. |
Waverly, Luncheon hosted by Wartburg College, Knights Ballroom, 2nd Floor, 100 Wartburg Boulevard. |
| 2:45 – 4:00 p.m. |
Denver, Tour Schumacher Elevator Company, One Schumacher Way. |
| 6:15 – 8:30 p.m. |
Dubuque, Reception and dinner hosted by the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, Grand River Center, 500 Bell Street. |
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| Wednesday, August 17, 2005 |
| 8:15 – 10:00 a.m. |
Dubuque, Breakfast and Tour at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, 350 East 3rd Street. |
| 11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. |
Cedar Rapids, Luncheon hosted by the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and Rockwell Collins, Crowne Plaza Hotel, The Ballroom, 350 1st Avenue, NE. |
| 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. |
Amana, Walking tour of Amana Historical Village. |
| 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. |
Amana, Tour Amana Refrigeration Plant, 2800 220th Trail. |
| 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. |
Iowa City, Dinner Hosted by the University of Iowa and the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, Iowa Memorial Union, River Room Cafeteria, Sunporch and Main Lodge. |
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| Thursday, August 18, 2005 |
| 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. |
Cedar Rapids, Tour Rockwell Collins, 400 Collins Road, NE. |
| 10:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
Williamsburg, Tour and lunch at Holdens Foundation Seeds, 503 South Maplewood Avenue. |
| 2:15 – 3:15 p.m. |
Grinnell, Tour Natural Products, Inc., 2211 6th Avenue. |
| 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. |
Prairie City, Tour Roorda Family Farm, 10076 West 93rd Street South. |
| 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. |
West Des Moines, Dinner hosted by the Des Moines Area Community College and the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Des Moines Area Community College West Campus, 5959 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines. |
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| Friday, August 19, 2005 |
| Des Moines |
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| 7:45 – 9:00 a.m. |
Breakfast hosted by World Food Prize, Des Moines Marriott, The Iowa Ballroom, 700 Grand Avenue. |
| 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. |
Tour EFCO Corporation, 1800 NE Broadway. |
| 11:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
Iowa State Fair, Tour. |
| 1:00 – 2:15 p.m. |
Iowa State Fair, Luncheon hosted by the Iowa Turkey Federation, Iowa State Fairgrounds, Farm Bureau Shelter. |
| 3:00 p.m. |
Delegation Departs Des Moines International Airport. |
Here is a list of participating countries (subject to change).
Afghanistan
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belgium
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
Canada
Central African Republic
Chile
Colombia
Congo, Dem. Rep. of
Costa Rica
Cyprus
Djibouti
East Timor
Egypt
European Commission
France
Germany |
Ghana
Guatemala
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
India
Israel
Japan
Jordan
Korea
Latvia
Lesotho
Liberia
Malawi
Malaysia
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mexico
Mongolia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Nigeria |
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Peru
Poland
Romania
Russia
Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
Serbia & Montenegro
Singapore
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia |
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