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Team Illinois poses for a photo at the trip’s opening reception. (Photo courtesy of Governor Pritzker’s office)

Governor Pritzker and delegation of more than 40 business, academic, and government leaders traveled to Japan to create new opportunities for investment and collaboration.

Team Illinois, including several Intersect Illinois leaders, made a lasting impact during its recent trade mission to Japan. The group strengthened relationships, outlined Illinois’ unique advantages as a business destination, and fostered new opportunities for economic growth in key industries including clean energy, manufacturing, life sciences, and quantum computing.

The delegation — which included Governor Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Intersect Illinois, elected officials, and business, civic and academic leaders from throughout the state (full delegation listed below) — connected with hundreds of Japanese stakeholders from a wide range of organizations. From manufacturing to life sciences, from start-ups to global giants, and from companies with a significant Illinois presence to new prospects, the group made the case for why global companies should invest or expand in Illinois.

The visit included industry roundtables, daily meetings with Japanese companies, presentations, cultural excursions, and the announcement of a Japanese company that is expanding in Illinois.

Highlights from Team Illinois Trade Mission to Japan:

Oct. 6

Chairman John Atkinson helped welcome business and government leaders in the delegation to Japan at an opening reception. (Photo courtesy of Governor Pritzker’s office)

An opening reception kicked off the trip, with Intersect Illinois Chairman John Atkinson delivering the welcoming remarks. Additionally, Barnes & Thornburg LLP’s Robert Karr spoke about Japanese history and the connection between Japan and Illinois. 

Oct. 7

Team Illinois met with Ambassador Rahm Emanuel and his team at the U.S. Embassy, where the group explored potential avenues of increased collaboration. Learn more about this meeting in Governor Pritzker’s Oct. 7 recap.

Incoming Intersect Illinois President & CEO Christy George discussed Illinois’ business advantages at a presentation to the Japan External Trade Organization.

Team Illinois met with Ambassador Rahm Emanuel and his team at the U.S. Embassy to discuss their collaboration. (Photo courtesy of Governor Pritzker’s office)

Later that day, Team Illinois presented Illinois’ advantages to more than 50 companies in partnership with Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). After Governor Pritzker welcomed the group, incoming Intersect Illinois President and Chief Executive Officer Christy George explained why Illinois is a premier global business destination. Additionally, Aisin’s William Cox discussed why Illinois is a great location for Japanese companies like Aisin, and Related Midwest’s Curt Bailey focused on recent developments in Illinois, including the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park.

Gov. Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Sysmex America, Inc. announced that the company will invest $20.6 to expand in Illinois. Sysmex America, a subsidiary of Japanese medical diagnostic equipment manufacturer Sysmex Corporation, will create 110 full-time jobs and retain nearly 550. The company’s workforce includes scientists, engineers, and healthcare professionals — all of which are abundant in Illinois thanks to the state’s unmatched education system and top-tier universities.

Oct. 8

Members of the delegation presented Illinois’ strengths in quantum computing, bioprocessing, and food tech at a J-Bridge event.

Team Illinois presented to Japanese business leaders about quantum computing and agribusiness at a J-Bridge event hosted by Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).

Intersect Illinois Chief Quantum Officer Preeti Chalsani presented on Illinois’ efforts to become a global center for quantum at a J-Bridge event.

Christy George welcomed the group, emphasizing Illinois’ position as a global hub for innovation. She was followed by Intersect Illinois Chief Quantum Officer Preeti Chalsani, University of Illinois/Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park’s Harley Johnson, and PsiQuantum’s Josh Richman who together discussed Illinois’ groundbreaking efforts to become the global hub for quantum computing.

Paulina San Millan, Intersect Illinois Interim CEO and SVP of Business Development, presented on Illinois’ global advantages in food tech and bioprocessing at a J-Bridge event.

Capping off the presentation at J-Bridge, Intersect Illinois’ Paulina San Millan, ADM’s Regina Bynote Jones, and Barnes & Thornburg LLP’s Robert Karr shared Illinois’ strengths in food tech and bioprocessing, underscoring the state’s world-class talent, robust infrastructure, and abundance of natural resources.

The day also included a roundtable on quantum at The University of Tokyo, which focused on Illinois and Japan’s shared commitment to grow this revolutionary field. Japanese quantum and university leaders joined Gov. Pritzker, Sen. Harmon, Rep. Emanuel Welch, and other Illinois leaders. Read more about this roundtable in Governor Pritzker’s Oct. 8 recap.

Oct. 9

Team Illinois took part in a roundtable centered on clean energy. (Photo courtesy of Governor Pritzker’s office)

One highlight from Oct. 9 was a roundtable on clean energy and technology hosted by Bloomberg and sponsored by ComEd. The event focused on pathways to a clean energy transition, such as renewable energy initiatives, investments into clean energy jobs, and solar installation efforts.

The roundtable convened top executives from Japanese clean energy companies, Illinois elected officials, and business leaders including Intersect Illinois board members Gil Quiniones (ComEd), Mark Denzler (Illinois Manufacturers’​ Association), Wendell Dallas (Nicor Gas), Leonard Singh (Ameren), Bill Mastoris (North Shore Gas and Peoples Gas), and Michael Fassnacht (Clayco). Read more about the roundtable in Governor Pritzker’s Oct. 9 recap.

The day ended with a reception at the U.S. Embassy hosted by Ambassador Rahm Emanuel, which brought together delegates and Japanese company leaders.

Oct. 10

The successful trade mission ended with a final round of meetings with Japanese companies, where the delegates continued to tell the “Why Illinois” story.

Intersect Illinois regularly takes part in missions such as this one as part of its ongoing strategy to showcase Illinois’ business advantages, strengthen relationships with international counterparts in key markets, and ultimately draw companies and investments to the state.

The delegation is deeply thankful for the warm hospitality in Japan. The visit laid the foundation for future collaboration while showcasing that Illinois is open for business.

 

Team Illinois Delegation

  • Governor JB Pritzker
  • Senate President Don Harmon
  • House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch
  • Senate President Pro Tempore Bill Cunningham
  • House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel
  • Anne Caprara, Chief of Staff of the Governor’s Office
  • Andy Manar, Deputy Governor
  • Grace Hou, Deputy Governor
  • Martin Torres, Deputy Governor
  • Sean Rapelyea, Senior Advisor for External Affairs, Governor’s Office
  • Claire Lindberg, First Assistant Deputy Governor, Governor’s Office
  • Connor Josellis, Director of the Executive Office of the Governor
  • Tina Yan, Deputy Chief of Staff, Digital Media, Governor’s Office
  • re O’Neill, Senior Director of Advance, Governor’s Office
  • Morgan Evans, Senior Advancer, Governor’s Office
  • Kristin Richards, Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
  • Cas Peters, Chief Business Attraction Officer of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
  • Christy George, President and CEO of Intersect Illinois
  • John Atkinson, Board Chair of Intersect Illinois and Managing Director and Chairman of Marsh Chicago
  • Paulina San Millan, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Intersect Illinois
  • Preeti Chalsani, Chief Quantum Officer of Intersect Illinois
  • Kaitlyn McDermott, Vice President of Operations and Administration at Intersect Illinois
  • David Awschalom, Director of the Chicago Quantum Exchange
  • Curt Bailey, President of Related Midwest
  • Rashid Bashir, Dean of UIUC Grainger College of Engineering
  • William Cox, Senior Vice President of AISIN
  • Wendell Dallas, President and CEO of Nicor Gas
  • Kara Demirjian Huss, Senior Vice President of TCCI
  • Mark Denzler, President and CEO of Illinois Manufacturers’ Association
  • Kaitlin Fahey, CEO and Founding Partner of Magnify Strategies
  • Aaron Cartwright, Vice President of Client Services at Magnify Strategies
  • Michael Fassnacht, Chief Growth Officer and President of Clayco Chicagoland
  • Chris Gladwin, Chair at P33 and CEO of Ocient
  • Michael Jacobson, President and CEO of Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association
  • Harley Johnson, Director of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park
  • Regina Jones, Sr. Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of ADM
  • Robert Karr, Partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP
  • Dan Lynch, Vice President of Government Affairs at United Airlines
  • Nadya Mason, Dean of Pritzker School of Engineering and Interim Vice President for Partnerships at University of Chicago
  • Bill Mastoris, President of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas
  • Christian Mitchell, Vice President for Civic Engagement at University of Chicago
  • Takashi O’Haru, President of White Cube LLC
  • Meredith O’Connor, International Director of JLL
  • Eric Perreault, Vice President for Research at Northwestern University
  • Dwayne Pickett, Vice President of Clean Hydrogen Market Development at Constellation
  • Barton Pitts, Vice President of Business Development at Nexamp Solar
  • Gil Quiniones, President and CEO of ComEd
  • Meera Raja, SVP of Deep Tech at P33
  • Jim Reynolds, Chairman and CEO of Loop Capital
  • Josh Richman, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at PsiQuantum
  • Smita N. Shah, CEO of SPAAN Tech Inc
  • Lenny Singh, Chairman and President of Ameren Illinois
NEWS TYPE
  • Articles
KEY INDUSTRY
  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Life Sciences
  • Next Generation Agriculture, Ag Tech, and Food Processing
  • Quantum Computing, AI, and Microelectronics
LOCATION
  • Statewide