US-Baltic Business Program to highlight Virginia, Maryland and Delaware
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC – Maria Kivisild Ogrydziak, the Chairman of the 2008 U.S.- Baltic Gala Committee announced that USBF Board member Egils Milbergs will chair the US- Baltic Business program to coincide with the 2008 U.S.-Baltic Gala on April 18- 20 in Washington, DC.  The purpose of the program is for U.S and Baltic businesses to form partnerships, establish stronger ties, and participate in discussions in the areas of financial services, energy, research partnerships, and information technology.  The program will allow Business leaders to learn about trends in the United States and important issues affecting trade between the two regions.  The business program will also include one day business matchmaking visits to learn more about the diverse economies of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware.  To see a complete schedule and to purchase tickets for the business program and the U.S.- Baltic Gala, please visit www.usbaltic.org. 

Egils Milbergs is president and founder of the Center for Accelerating Innovation.  He is a noted thought leader and strategist in global innovation, advanced manufacturing, competitiveness and public-private partnerships.  Mr. Milbergs has been an active participant in the National Innovation Initiative (NII) co-chaired by Sam Palmisano, chairman, IBM and Wayne Clough, president, Georgia Tech University.  Mr. Milbergs is a former Deputy Assistant Secretary for productivity, technology and innovation at theU.S. Commerce Department.

“Since 2000 the Baltic States have become members of the European Union and have established strong business and commercial ties with Europe ,” said Mr. Milbergs.  “Our strategic vision for this program is to reinvigorate U.S.- Baltic economic relations.  Our tactical approach is to build business to business partnerships in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and throughout the United States.”

The U.S.- Baltic Foundation (USBF) was established in 1990 to unite all Americans who   supported the aspirations of the people of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania for democracy and independence and are dedicated to strengthening our trans-Atlantic ties with the Baltics in the 21st century.  As an advocate for closer U.S.- Baltic relations, USBF also initiated a broad range of cultural, government and public relations programs including a nationwide tour of Baltic modern art, our Ambassador’s Council luncheons in the U.S. Capitol and development of the Singing Revolution documentary about Estonia’s struggle for freedom (http://www.singingrevolution.com).