The officials are here as part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Americas Competitiveness Exchange, which focuses on innovation and entrepreneurship. The group, hosted by the DOC’s Economic Development Administration and International Trade Administration and the Organization of American States, started its tour on April 19 and will conclude its visits to Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois on Saturday.
Attendees will meet and network with commerce and economic development officials, forming long-term partnerships while learning about economic development projects related to innovation and entrepreneurship. The idea is to foster commerce and trade partnerships. While they’re here, attendees are touring the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Innovation Campus in Wauwatosa, as well as the Mid-West Energy Research Consortium, the Global Water Center and the UW-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences in Milwaukee. They will hear from Wauwatosa Mayor Kathleen Ehley and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, visit the Menomonee Valley, Century City and the Third Ward, and will conclude the day with networking at the Milwaukee Marriott Downtown.