Manufacturing Industry Briefing 2012

 

 

Office of the License Collector Manufacturing Industry Briefing

 

         Michael McMillan, License Collector of the City of St. Louis, was joined by the U.S. Department of Commerce-Commercial Services-International Trade and PNC Bank to host the second "Manufacturing Industry Briefing" on Tuesday, April 3^rd at City Hall in the Kennedy Hearing Room. Though exporting will be the primary focus, over 20 exhibitors were on site to assist manufacturers with information and services unique to their industry. This is one of five industry briefings Michael McMillan's Office of the License Collector has hosted to give businesses access to essential information. McMillan says, "These are challenging economic times. It is important to help our businesses sustain and grow their businesses. I am particularly pleased to help prepare them for future international trade and exporting opportunities."

 

         Presenters Included: Co-Sponsors Corey Simek, the U.S. Department of Commerce – Commercial Services St. Louis; along with Rick Sems, President, and Brian Bauer, Sr. VP Market Management, The PNC Financial Services Group; John Blum, Regional Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration; Pat Bannister, Director of St. Louis Development Corporation; Alison Zeidler, Project Manager/Analyst Business Development of the St. Louis County Economic Council (Free Trade Zone); Michael Holmes, Executive Director and Bonnie Mireles of the St. Louis Area Agency on Training and Employment Missouri Career Centers; Ann Pardalos, Director, State  the Missouri State Department of Economic Development; Mike Melton, Area Business Manager, Missouri Enterprise; and the Office of the License Collector was represented by Aaron Phillips, Chief of Staff, Darius Chapman, Manager of Field Service Operations and Manufacturing, and Alfred Brown, Field Service Representative.

 

         Each presenter's organization also had staff at Exhibit booths to continue the information exchange with manufacturers and other businesses in attendance was represented along with representatives from financial institutions - PNC, Commerce, Regions, US Bank, Midwest Bank Centre, Fifth Third Bank and UMB Bank; Manpower Development and Training programs such as Ranken Technical College; Minority Contractor Initiative; CBIL St. Louis Community College; Small Business Development Center; Collector of Revenue, St. Louis Economic Council and City of St. Louis Health Department.

         Overall about 120 people attended. The briefing was taped for airing by STL TV.