New Mexico Real Estate Mogul Gary Goodman to Visit Israel 

On January 5-6, Gary Goodman, CEO of Albuquerque’s Goodman Realty Group will be in Israel to meet with local companies interested in considering New Mexico as a location for their US operations.  Mr. Goodman has over thirty-five years of experience in the development of office, residential, retail, and mixed use facilities. Since 1970, Mr. Goodman has been actively involved in the development, management and leasing of over seven-million square feet of commercial property in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, New York, New Jersey, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Oregon.  EDI, in its role as the trade and investment representative of New Mexico in Israel, has arranged his appointments.  

US Law Firm Holland & Knight to Visit Israel  

Holland & Knight, one of the US’ largest law firms and the largest such company in Florida, will be visiting Israel during the week of January 15^th to explore the potential for further developing the firm’s Israel practice.   The mission will be led by Ronald J. Klein, a member of Holland & Knight's Public Policy & Regulation Group, who has worked in the private sector as a business and transactional attorney for over 25 years, as well as the public sector as an elected official in both Tallahassee and Washington. From 1992 through 2006, Mr. Klein served consecutive terms in the Florida House of Representatives and Florida State Senate, where he participated actively in clean tech, transportation and healthcare committee and legislative work. In 2006, Mr. Klein was elected to represent Florida's 22nd Congressional District (Broward and Palm Beach Counties), wherein he served two terms, continuing his focus on clean tech, transportation and healthcare, as well as on Middle East and Latin American issues. Accompanying Klein will be Janis B. Schiff, a partner in the Washington, DC office of the firm; James T. Mayer, a partner in the Chicago office; and Joshua Krumholz, a partner in the Boston office.  Zehava Zevit, the firm’s associate in their Israel Office will participate as well.   EDI is arranging the week of appointments for the group which will include meetings with representatives of government and industry as well as professionals in the legal and accounting fields.  

Azerbaijani Academics Visiting Israel in January 

EDI is working with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), assisting them in organizing and providing content to the MFA’s official delegations. In that regard, in mid-January EDI will organize and accompany a mission of senior academics visiting from Baku, Azerbaijan. The researchers’ focus is on diplomacy, energy policy and international relations. The delegation will be meeting with senior Israeli figures, including renowned members of the academia, Members of Knesset, and senior security and diplomatic advisors, among others.    

Academic Mission Headed by Mervin Verbit to Visit Israel in January 

In its capacity as consultant to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), EDI will also be assisting in organizing a delegation of senior academics from the US headed by Prof. Mervin Verbit of Touro College in New York. Throughout the week, the group will be meeting with prominent figures in local business, academic, cultural and public sectors and will receive a well-rounded and diverse overview of Israel.    

EDI to Manage Illinois Pavilion at Arab Health in Dubai 

EDI, in its role as the regional representative of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, will administer and manage the Illinois pavilion at Arab Health in Dubai, UAE.  The show, which runs from January 23-26, is the second largest life science exhibition and conference in the world and the largest in the region.  Featuring over 1,600 exhibitors spread through nine exhibition halls, the event attracts over 20,000 visitors from the entire region.  Eight Illinois companies will be exhibiting in the state’s pavilion which is housed in the hall reserved for US companies.    

Life Sciences Mission to Oklahoma & Delaware 

Companies from Israel and Egypt were in Oklahoma and Delaware during the week of December 5^th as part of a life sciences mission to both locations.  EDI, in its role as the regional trade representative of both states in this region, recruited these firms and facilitated their meetings with potential strategic partners, joint venture partners and business associates during the visit.  Both states boast a strong life sciences sector, and history has shown that companies in the region are interested in such opportunities.  

EDI Hosts Visitor from Euromediterranee of Marseilles, France 

EDI arranged two days of meetings in mid-December for a representative of Euromediterranee based in Marseilles.  The meetings were with Israeli companies considering opening facilities in Europe and willing to learn more about the advantages of doing so in France.   The region around Marseilles is seeking to become an IT center for Southern Europe by attracting companies in that sector, among others, to locate there.