Kansas International offers Lawrence global outlook

Chamber organization's members examine international trade opportunities, cultural trends

Kansas business today has an international flavor through trade and exports.

That makes it important to study current international trade opportunities and cultural trends, say members of Kansas International through the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce.

“I think we’ve extended that somewhat in that the networking piece is still very important. We’ve also realized that we have a generation of students here for whom globalization is not an option. It will happen,” said Diana Carlin, dean of Kansas University’s graduate school and international programs.

Carlin is the incoming president for Kansas International this year. She will lead the 15-member board and replace Hossein Gerami of Copy Co. as president.

The group’s meetings, which are open to the public, include presentations on international business practices or issues, often with guest speakers from the international business community. Kansas International also helps coordinate events and meetings for foreign dignitaries who visit Douglas County.

George Woodyard, KU’s first dean of international studies, was a founding member in the late 1980s.

The area and chamber members offer a diverse business community with several international businesses, Carlin said. The state also has several businesses making exports.

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The group also has members from Topeka, Emporia and the Kansas City area. It also works with KU and Baker and Emporia State universities.

“The most important thing that we’ve accomplished is to bring all of these different groups together to share knowledge, expertise, experiences and to provide connections to make the Lawrence and Northeast Kansas business and educational communities more internationalized,” Carlin said.

After 9/11, the group offered forums and brought experts from Fort Leavenworth and other areas to speak about terrorism and other issues.

“What we all found after 9/11 is that world politics have an economic impact. Our focus isn’t just on specific trade-related topics but also international issues that are going to impact world commerce,” Carlin said.

Kansas International has about 50 regular members who attend the meetings, plus college and high school students who attend.

The group’s next breakfast meeting is 7:30 a.m. Jan. 26 at Alvamar Country Club.

Kansas International also has about 15 board members, who plan programs with guest speakers and also brainstorm about hot topics, Carlin said. No dues are required to join Kansas International.

“Part of what we really want our students to see is the vitality of international trade and international involvement among Lawrence businesses and in the region so we can keep some of these very bright and talented people here, making the international piece happen for Kansas,” Carlin said.