Greater Lansing has our share of sophisticated firms with a strong global presence—and many more businesses making deliberate efforts to increase their international market share. Regardless of where a company is at on the international business continuum, making new contacts in emerging markets is an important step toward expanding globally. Our region is fortunate to have several resources and leaders helping to leverage international relationships to build valuable business bridges with foreign countries eager to explore mutually beneficial partnerships.

Michigan State University, the City of East Lansing, private sector companies, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and other organizations collaborated to plan and promote an event in May to build upon an important relationship that MSU has nurtured for nearly 15 years. MSU professor Dr. Roger Hamlin has been cultivating relationships on multiple fronts with Romania.

The Entrepreneurship & Engagement: Building a Bridge of Prosperity Between Romania and North America conference was held over two days surrounding the planned trip and honorary doctorate degree to be presented to Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc. Prime Minister Boc had been actively involved with MSU several years prior to becoming the prime minister of Romania and has sent many members of his political cabinet and other key officials to further their education at MSU. Although the prime minister had to postpone his trip due to the financial crisis facing the European Union, several Romanian political, education and business leaders converged in the Lansing area for the conference to explore new relationships with their American counterparts.

The event opened with a welcome from none other than GLBM publisher Chris Holman. Holman did an excellent job framing the importance of international business in today’s turbulent economic times and acknowledged that international business starts by establishing relationships and only when trust exists among the parties involved can business commence. The purpose of the event was to expand on the academic and governmental relationships that MSU has established with the Romanians and begin to explore ways in which businesses in both countries can benefit.

John Rakolta, honorary consulate of Romania for Detroit and CEO of Walbridge (one of the 50 largest construction firms in the United States), spoke about his Romanian roots and experiences managing his global manufacturing company, Mafin, located in Romania. Rakolta was very blunt and explained differences between the two countries which are significant, but certainly not insurmountable. Rakolta also emphasized that relationships are key to doing business in Romania and that he enjoys brokering business relationships for Michigan and the many emerging opportunities in Romania.

Networking was in high gear among the 50+ attendees throughout the business roundtable event.  Business representatives from as far as Holland and Detroit and several from the Lansing area were exchanging business cards at every opportunity. The rubber hit the road when Michigan-based businesses had the opportunity to make brief presentations on their company’s products. There was extreme interest and many questions from the Romanians and the other Michigan business representatives in the crowd.

“From the business perspective it was an event well worth attending as a couple of immediate opportunities come up. One of the participants has agreed to help make a connection between Spartan and a Romanian truck company. The other participant I met will be going to Romania next month and will research opportunities for Spartan in defense and emergency rescue markets. I also was able to make contacts with local companies which plan to start or expand business outside the U.S.,” said Ed Hendler, business director at Spartan Chassis Global in Charlotte.

Event organizers Steve Sandstedt, principal of Priority Development Corporation, and Jim vanRavensway of MSU were pleased at the level of interest and effectiveness of the business roundtable. Plans are now under way to ensure the connections that were made with the Romanians are pursued, along with a trip to Romania for businesses prepared to build upon relationships and expand their global presence.

The May event with the Romanians didn’t resolve the world’s global issues nor result in a million dollar contract being signed (yet). However, it was the first step, a critical step to make introductions, become more familiar with our Romanian counterparts and begin a dialogue to explore potential business partnerships. I’m confident the relationships established at the event will lead to real business opportunities and eventual contracts for some of the global-minded business leaders that attended the event.

Furthermore, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, under the auspices of the International Trade Center, will be working with MSU and our partners to hold similar events featuring other countries interested in building business bridges with the Greater Lansing region and the state of Michigan.

If you or your company has an exceptional relationship with a foreign business partner and/or foreign country that may be interested in exploring relationships with Greater Lansing firms, please contact Brent Case at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For more information on practical resources to help your company go global, visit www.portlansing.com.

		Brent Case is the director of Foreign Trade Zone No. 275 and International Market Development at the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. In this role, Case works with the Capital Region Airport Authority to increase the amount of global commerce being conducted in the Greater Lansing area.