Beachwood, Ohio Chamber Travels to Israel - Delegation to Promote "U.S. Beachhead in Beachwood"

Beachwood, OH March 11, 2004 -- After recruiting and placing three Israeli companies in Beachwood with fifteen more in the pipeline, a delegation of Beachwood officials will travel to Israel next week on a hunting expedition for more firms interested in establishing a U.S. base of operations. Meetings with companies that have expressed interest in co-locating to Beachwood are also scheduled.

"Beachwood is a global business center with over 3000 businesses, making us the perfect place for Israeli and other foreign companies to establish a U.S. foothold," said Dr. Paul Williams, Superintendent of the Beachwood Public School System and President of The Beachwood Chamber of Commerce, who is spearheading the delegation. "But it's not good enough to go on one big, multi-city trade mission a year and then send brochures and emails. We have to go there in-person regularly, look Israeli entrepreneurs in the eye and recruit them one by one," added Williams, who will be accompanied by Tom Sudow, Executive Director of The Beachwood Chamber of Commerce; Paul Levin, Economic Development Administrator for the City of Beachwood; and Dr. Mel Allerhand, Chamber Ombudsman.

"Our wish list includes Israeli companies involved in high-tech, bio-science and manufacturing distribution," said Tom Sudow. "Our package of assistance that includes The Beachwood Business Development Center (in partnership with Cleveland State University), assistance in seeking loans, working capital and even office leases is unparalleled in Ohio," added Paul Levin.

"The Beachwood Chamber of Commerce now employs a local Israeli representative, Joel Rosenfeld, to assist with follow-up. We also have Dr. Allerhand, who travels three to four times a year to Israel. Coupled with trips like this one, Beachwood has real credibility in the Israeli business community. We also work hand-in-hand with the Ohio Department of Development's Eastern Mediterranean Office located in Tel Aviv and headed by Richard Schottenstein," said Sudow, adding, "We beat, hands-down, other communities in the U.S. who think they can just fly in, spend a few days, and walk away with business."

"We are very proud of our leadership role in economic development and our accomplishments," said Beachwood Mayor Merle Gorden, adding, "Beachwood can't rest on its laurels. We're doing this to ensure the future vitality of both our city and Cuyahoga County."

Along with individual meetings with Israeli business owners, the four chamber members will present their case at a seminar sponsored by the Israel Export Institute with their "Establish a Beachhead in Beachwood" message. They will also announce the opening of the Beachwood Business Development Center, in partnership with Cleveland State University. The business center will offer support to both foreign and domestic start-up firms as well as to more mature companies looking for a toehold in the U.S.

The Israel Export Institute seminar will take place on March 17. The Beachwood delegation's "Setting Up A U.S. Beachhead in Beachwood" presentation starts at 2:40 p.m. The all-day seminar will take place at the Import Export Institute in Tel Aviv.

Other seminar presentations with a Beachwood connection include, "How to Wow Your Customer" by former Clevelander Lior Arussy, founder and president of the Strativity Group, a consulting firm specializing in Customer Experience Management strategies, and Richard Schottenstein, Managing Director of the State of Ohio Trade Office, who will talk about doing business in the U.S. Other presenters will provide practical information about the risks and rewards involved in opening a U.S. office, including employment and legal considerations.

For more information:

The Beachwood Chamber of Commerce, http://www.beachwood.org

Mayor Merle Gorden, City of Beachwood, 216/292-1902

Tom Sudow, 216/831-0003

The Members of the Delegation:
Dr. Paul Williams, Superintendent, Beachwood City School District & President of The Beachwood Chamber of Commerce, 216/464-2600, prw@bw.beachwood.k12.oh.us

Tom Sudow, Executive Director, Beachwood Chamber of Commerce, 216/831-0003, tom@beachwood.org.

Paul Levin, Economic Development Administrator, City of Beachwood, paul.levin@beachwoodohio.com, 216/ 595-5464

Dr. Mel Allerhand, Ombudsman, The Beachwood Chamber of Commerce, 216-231-5525, allerhandm@aol.com (NOTE: Dr. Allerhand has already arrived in Israel)

NOTE: The entire delegation will have cell phones in Israel. Those cell numbers can be obtained from The Beachwood Chamber of Commerce on March 8.





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