September 2026: CITCA Visit to South Illinois
Illinois EDC and CITCA brought together representatives from 11 countries for a two-day immersion into the economic strengths and investment opportunities of Central and Southwest Illinois. Participants visited major employers and investors including ADM and Fuyao Glass USA in Decatur, engaged with local economic development leaders, toured the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, and explored key logistics, manufacturing, and transportation assets in Southwest Illinois, including Gateway Commerce Center and America’s Central Port. The program highlighted Illinois’ diverse industry base, global connectivity, and strong commitment to attracting and supporting international investment.
May 2026: Visit to Nebraska
Organized for members of the Chicago International Trade Commissioners Association (CITCA), this three-day delegation to Omaha, Nebraska brought together representatives from 8 countries and regions to explore the state’s strengths in economic development, life sciences, agribusiness, energy, trade, and innovation. The program included meetings with the Greater Omaha Chamber, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, the Nebraska Secretary of State, and other key public and private stakeholders. Participants visited the Edge District, the Nebraska Medical Center, Mutual of Omaha, and Valmont Industries, while engaging with leaders in health security, insurance, fintech, agricultural technology, and global exports.
A highlight of the visit was participation in the MITA World Trade Conference, Nebraska’s flagship international trade event, where CITCA members were introduced to a broad network of business leaders, exporters, logistics providers, government officials, and economic development organizations. The delegation also benefited from networking opportunities with the Trade Advisory Group and regional business leaders, providing valuable insights into Nebraska’s international business ecosystem and opportunities for future collaboration.
April 2026: Visit of the Port of Indiana Burns Harbor
Organized for members of the Chicago International Trade Commissioners Association (CITCA), this half-day visit to the Port of Indiana Burns Harbor provided participants with a comprehensive overview of Northwest Indiana’s economic development priorities and logistics infrastructure. The program combined a tour of the port facilities with presentations on key regional initiatives, including shipping container development, quantum computing, foreign trade zones and customs operations at the Gary/Chicago International Airport, defense-related opportunities, data center investments, workforce development, and broader economic trends in Northwest Indiana. The visit offered CITCA members direct engagement with regional stakeholders and insights into one of the Midwest’s most important multimodal transportation and industrial hubs.
February 2026: CITCA Annual Meeting
The CITCA Internal Meeting on February 5, 2026 brought together members to review the association’s governance, membership framework, and strategic priorities for the year. The meeting featured the introduction of new Board members representing Brazil and Switzerland, the presentation of the 2026 membership campaign, and discussions on expanding member engagement through monthly company visits across the Chicago region. Participants also received updates on upcoming trade and investment missions, including the Indiana delegation visit and future programs in Nebraska and Wisconsin, while providing networking opportunities for newer members to introduce themselves and strengthen connections within the international trade commissioner community. The meeting concluded with a guest presentation by Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, offering members insights into Illinois’ economic and investment landscape.
March 2026: Visit to Indiana
Organized by The International Center for members of the Chicago International Trade Commissioners Association (CITCA), this two-day visit to Indiana brought together representatives from 13 countries and territories to explore the state’s economic development, innovation, and business ecosystem. The delegation met with leaders from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), Indy Partnership, and the 16 Tech Innovation District, while also visiting major Indiana-based organizations including Corteva Agriscience, Cummins, Eli Lilly, and Purdue University. The program provided participants with direct exposure to Indiana’s strengths in advanced manufacturing, life sciences, agriculture, innovation, research, and global business development, while fostering connections with regional stakeholders and international trade representatives.
September 2025: Visit to Ohio
Organized by JobsOhio for members of the Chicago International Trade Commissioners Association (CITCA), this three-day visit provided an in-depth look at Ohio’s economic development ecosystem, innovation assets, and international business opportunities. Participants met with leaders from the Ohio Department of Development and JobsOhio, attended the Ohio Future Forum, visited The Ohio State University, and participated in networking receptions hosted by JobsOhio. The program also included site visits and business engagement opportunities in Columbus and Cincinnati, featuring Procter & Gamble, REDI Cincinnati, and CVG Cargo Airport, highlighting Ohio’s strengths in manufacturing, innovation, logistics, workforce development, and global investment attraction.
