- John A. Gale
Nebraska was showcased to diplomatic officials from around the world at the Secretary of State's Diplomatic Conference on Sept. 23-24, 2008, in Omaha.
The conference, hosted by Secretary of State John Gale and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, highlighted innovative aspects of Nebraska and its economy.
Diplomatic officials from 27 countries joined Nebraska representatives at the conference.
“The conference was a wonderful opportunity for diplomatic officials to visit our state, network with key Nebraska representatives and hear about the exciting opportunities occurring in the state,” Gale said.
“A priority of the conference was to promote Nebraska exports and encourage foreign investment in our state,” he said, noting that foreign commerce pumps billions of dollars annually into the state's economy.
Gov. Dave Heineman, a keynote speaker at the conference, outlined what makes Nebraska a great investment and a dynamic trading partner.
“Strengthening Nebraska's ties to the international community is a key priority for my administration,” he said. “Nebraska recognized long ago that opportunities to look beyond our borders would play a key role in our efforts to grow in the 21 st century.”
Nebraska may be widely known as an agricultural state, but the diversity of its products and trade relations with countries is surprising, the governor said.
“For example, we export to more than 170 countries each year,” he said. “Nebraska companies do business in virtually every corner of the world.”
In 2007, Nebraska foreign exports amounted to nearly $4.3 billion, a 17.4 percent increase from the previous year.
Heineman touted Nebraska as a great place to live, work and grow a business.
“One of the things we are known for is having a strong work ethic,” he said. “Nebraska is ranked among the top five in terms of states with the best quality of life and best education climate. A 2007 survey of states' business indexes ranked Nebraska as having the third lowest cost of doing business in the U.S.”
Business tax incentives – the Nebraska Advantage and Nebraska Super Advantage programs – allow Nebraska to compete with its surrounding states, across the United States and around the world, Heineman said.
The conference featured a series of sessions highlighting Nebraska in the following areas: finance and insurance, transportation and distribution, agriculture and agribusiness, communications and information technology, cyber security and health care.
Gale held the conference in his role as Nebraska's chief protocol officer for international relations. “This conference was part of my continuing efforts to build strong ties and friendships between Nebraska and the international community,” he said.
This is the third time that Gale has sponsored such a conference in Omaha.
Secretary of State John Gale addresses the diplomatic conference.
Among the conference’s speakers were (from left) Doug Bereuter, president of the Asia Foundation; Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey; and Gov. Dave Heineman.
Conference participants had the opportunity to attend a variety of sessions that highlighted Nebraska and innovative aspects of its economy.
Pictured at the conference were (from left) Secretary of State John Gale; Robert W. Evans Jr., honorary consul of Chile; Patricia Maza-Pittsford, consul general of El Salvador; and Ron Moravec, chief deputy secretary of state.
The conference’s closing reception was held at the Scott Kingdom of the Sea Aquarium at the Henry Doorly Zoo.
Pictured at the conference’s closing reception were (from left) Secretary of State John Gale; Virgil Johnson, honorary consul of Norway; Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey; and Mary Rouine and her husband, Martin Rouine, consul general of Ireland.
