AIMC Explores Iraq Partnership to Create Business Development for Iraq

WASHINGTON, DC, January 4, 2011 – The Alliance for International Meetings & Commerce (AIMC) met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki and other high-ranking Iraqi officials in December to kick off an effort that it hopes will lead to business development conferences to help promote business in Iraq.

The meeting was part of an event sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the U.S. Business Council in Iraq.

AIMC Chairman Bill Hudson, who is also President and CEO of the Global Cold Chain Alliance, a group that is very active in international business development, said, “Members of AIMC have an extensive base of knowledge on international commerce in a wide range of industries. Of course they are also skilled in planning international events. So we believe AIMC is the perfect partner to hold a series of business conferences to help jump-start the business potential that the nation has.”

AIMC President & CEO Jack Sammis added, “We applaud the Iraqi government for reaching out through its U.S. connections to explore ways to advance their business community. The business development conferences we discussed are good initial steps to making this happen.”

The meeting also included U.S. Chamber of Commerce Vice President for Middle East & North Africa Affairs Lionel Johnson, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Thomas Nides, Chairman of the Iraqi national Investment Commission Dr. Sami Al Araji, Iraqi Minister of Trade Dr. Khairallah Babaker Zebari, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer David Chavern, as well as representatives of the U.S. Business Council of Iraq.

Hudson also said the effort “speaks to both the ‘commerce’ and ‘meetings’ parts of the AIMC mission. Iraq needs a group with expertise in these areas and the connections to make things happen, so we said, why not AIMC?”

AIMC is developing business in Iraq together with GSI Business Services Inc., a Maryland-based company with its primary activities in Iraq. In a brief discussion that included GSI Managing Director Gaynelle Sahlmann, Dr. Sami Al Araji offered his full support to AIMC’s approach together with GSI.

He welcomed this initiative to establish a series of first-class conferences, workshops and exhibitions with a focus on bringing U.S. and international businesses and experts of many industrial sectors into the country. “The time to do this is now,” Sami pointed out.

AIMC is managed by IMN Solutions, a leading meeting management company and strategic consulting partner in association and foundation management. For more information about AIMC and IMN Solutions, visit www.imnsolutions.com.

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About IMN Solutions

For close to 30 years, IMN Solutions has provided advanced solutions to associations in management, meetings, marketing, communications, technology, environmental programs, and international development, and has partnered with a wide range of associations and other nonprofit organizations to help them achieve their goals. The company also provides overall management services, including membership, data and financial management, strategic planning, organizational restructuring, and alliances.

About AIMC

The Alliance for International Meetings and Commerce (AIMC) unites partners throughout the international meetings and tourism industries to be a broad network of leaders and aspiring professionals powered by education and communication with resources to develop and promote global commerce opportunities. With over 25 years of experience, AIMC provides a source of global resources on destinations and guidelines and educates associations seeking guidance to take their meetings global or expand the reach of their industry.