Executive Workshop II

Entry Strategies: Product Adaptation and Innovation in the New Eastern European Markets

Wednesday, November 19, 2003, 8:00 a.m.-12 noon

Venue: Huang Executive Education Center, Technology Square, 800 West Peachtree St., NW, Atlanta

Objectives: 
"A new era is dawning for the European Union.  Ten new Member States will join the Union on 1 May 2004.....it is an irreversible process," noted  G. Verheugen,  EU Commissioner.  This process offers a historic opportunity for American businesses to expand their operations.  This seminar explores some of these implications and is designed for practitioners.

Workshop Agenda:

7:30-8:00 Registration, Continental Breakfast and Networking

8-8:15 Welcome and Introduction
Dr. Katja Weber and Dr. Brian Murphy, Co-Directors, European Union Center of the University System of Georgia

8:15-9:00 Morning Keynote Speech
"Eastern Europe - Markets and Opportunities: Why Now?"
Dr. Charles Ludolph, Senior Vice President, Stonebridge International LLC, Washington, D.C. and former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe, US Department of Commerce

9-10:30: Session I
Market Entry and Product Innovation: The Eastern European Platform
Moderator: Mr. Jacobus Boers, President, JF Boers & Associates
Panelists: Mr. Jerry Striplin, SGi International, President, "Designing Eastern European-Specific Market Entry Strategies for U.S. Firms: From Conception Into Market" Prof. Stylianos Kavadias, Operations Management, DuPree College of Management, Georgia Tech, "Leveraging an  Eastern European Location for Product Innovation and Placement in the Global Economy"

10:30-10:45 Break

10:45 - 12:15: Session II
"Product Adaptation for Eastern European Markets: Localizing Global Products and Complying with E.U. Market Rules"
Moderator:  Dr. John  R. McIntyre, Professor of International Management,  Georgia Tech and Executive Director,  GT CIBER
Panelists:
Dr. James Kolka, Esq., President, Q-Lex International LLC Forensic & Preventive Legal Services,  Atlanta, GA/Hartford, CT, "Bringing in Eastern European Manufacturers and Distributors into the European Fold: The CE Mark and EU Technical Standards"
Ms. Kathleen Marran, Director of Market Development, UPS, "The Eastern European Logistical Portal: The UPS Approach" 
Mr. Patrick Curran, President, Curran Consulting Group Inc., "Implementing Performance Management Systems in the EU-Accession Eastern European Countries: The Coke Experience."

Registration:
$45 for the program. The registration form can be downloaded from the website of the EU Center at www.eu-center.org. All registration fees are non-refundable. Payments may be made in cash, check or money order. Sorry, no credit cards are accepted. Make checks payable to “EU Center.” Please send the registration form and payment to:

The European Union Center,
Sam Nunn School of International Affairs,
Georgia Institute of Technology,
Atlanta, GA 30332-0610

Respond before August 25, 2003.

Parking at Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center:
A cross the street at 770 Spring Street Parking Deck

More information:  
Mr.  Mark Ballam, GT CIBER,  404 894 4379 , email: mark.ballam@dupree.gatech.edu