Thomas J. Donohue, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will be the featured speaker at the dedication of the Van Andel Global Trade Center today, October 30.
Events include a dedication and keynote address at 11:30 a.m. in the Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium of GVSU's Richard M. DeVos Center on the downtown Grand Rapids Pew Campus, 401 W. Fulton St. The dedication will be followed by a luncheon in the Hager-Lubbers exhibition hall.
Donohue heads the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which is the world's largest business federation and represents three million companies and organizations. Since assuming his position in September, 1997, he has revitalized the venerable business lobby, attracting additional large and small companies as members, strengthening relations with state and local chambers, and significantly expanding the organization's policy expertise, lobbying muscle and national profile.
Prior to his current post, Donohue served for 13 years as the president and chief executive officer of the American Trucking Associations, the national organization of the trucking industry. During his tenure with that organization, he tripled the organization's revenue base and increased its membership by 100 percent.
The Van Andel Global Trade Center's mission is to provide the West Michigan community with international training, education, and assistance that enables individuals, businesses and organizations to succeed globally. The center was established as a core facility dedicated to advancing international trade and supporting West Michigan businesses as they prepare to enter and prosper in the era of international business competition. As a full-service international assistance organization, the center is dedicated to exceeding the expectations of its clients and raising the bar of international success.
The center is named for Amway co-founder Jay Van Andel, who will be the guest of honor at the dedication.
