"The Future of U.S-Russia Business Ties: Opportunities or Constraints?”

The Mid-Atlantic - Russia Business Council (MARBC) and the Wharton Russia Student Society are pleased to invite you to join us on November 17th to our first joint forum entitled, “The Future of U.S.-Russia Business Ties: Opportunities or Constraints?”

The event, which will take place from 5:00-7:30PM in Room 1201, Steinberg Hall - Dietrich Hall at the University of Pennsylvania, will feature two exciting keynote speakers, Paul Smith, Former Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, and Trevor Gunn, Director-International Relations at Medtronic, Inc., who will provide perspectives on economic, political, and cultural aspects of the U.S-Russia business relationship. The event will also feature a panel of representatives from Russian and American companies conducting business in both the U.S. and Russia. The evening will conclude with a reception and will represent a part of the 9th Semi-Annual Russian-American Innovation Technology Week hosted by the Mid-Atlantic - Russia Business Council.

The event will present a unique and exciting opportunity for students and members of the University of Pennsylvania Community to interact and engage in lively discussion with leading business practitioners. This first joint venture of the Wharton Russia Student Society and the MARBC will provide a forum to explore and connect with the changing business climate in Russia and new opportunities to develop regional Russian-American business ties.

If you are interested in attending, please submit your confirmation to: rsvp@ma-rbc.org. For further information concerning the event please contact Val Kogan, President of the Mid-Atlantic - Russia Business Council, by phone: (215) 708-2628, email: val@ma-rbc.org.

About the Mid-Atlantic - Russia Business Council. Since 1994, MARBC has worked to foster business relations between Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region, while cultivating mutual appreciation of political, economic, cultural, and educational interests. The goal of MARBC is to enable companies based in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region to enhance their positions in Russia and the CIS and to attract Russian businesses to the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region.

About the Wharton Russia Student Society. The Wharton Russia Student Society is an organization of motivated students who are interested in pursuing and exploring business in Russia. The society recognizes the growing importance of Russia as a player in the global business environment, aims to provide programs and opportunities for students to connect to, learn about, and explore their interests in the Russian corporate sector.

Agenda

Speakers include:

Welcoming:

• Inna Alecksandrovich, Wharton Russia Student Society
• Val Kogan, President, Mid-Atlantic - Russia Business Council

Keynote:

• Paul Smith, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy in Moscow (Retired)
• Trevor Gunn, Director-International Relations, Medtronic, Inc.

Panel:

• Gregg Richardson, President, GR Consulting
• Igor Danchenko, President, Westwood
• John Gallagher, Chairman, United States Industry Coalition
• John F. Breuninger, Vice President, Business Development, Armstrong World Industries

Closing:

• Val Kogan, President, Mid-Atlantic - Russia Business Council