Plexus Consulting Group    News Release

Conference to Offer Association Executives Insight into International Development



Contact
Chandra A. Briggman

Date
January 16, 2003




Plexus Consulting Group, LLC
1620 Eye Street, NW
Suite 210
Washington, DC 20006
Phone:  202-785-8940
Fax:      202-785-8949
Email:   info@plexusconsulting.com


The First International Initiative Conference will feature expert talks on acquiring government funding for international expansion

The Center for Association Leadership along with Plexus Consulting Group and Association Management Solutions (AMS), will present its 1st "International Initiatives Conference" on Monday, February 24,2003. The conference will take place at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, located at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC from 1:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. EST.

The conference marks the beginning of the "International Initiatives of the Center for Association Leadership"-a program designed to foster mutually beneficial interaction between associations and the multilateral lending agencies that fund educational programs in developing market economies. The initiative gives lending agencies access to the talents of the global association community and in return gives associations an opportunity to extend the reach of their services to the most needy regions of the world.

This inaugural event will feature introductions by Susan Sarfati, President and CEO of GWSAE and The Center for Association Leadership, and R. William Taylor, President of Association Management Solutions. Eight speakers representing leading organizations within the international development arena will round out the program's four sections:

Governmental Segment discussions will relate international development experiences and specific services available to associations, as well as insights into the contract bidding and awards process. Speakers include: Jim Boney, Manager of International Buyer Program for Department of Commerce; Brenda H. Heggs, Special Project Officer for U.S. Trade and Development Agency; and Brad Hess, Manager of Market Development Cooperator Program.

Bilateral Segment discussions will highlight the nature of doing business with USAID, and how to acquire international business. Speakers include: Kathleen O'Hara, Office of Procurement Deputy Director for U.S. Agency for International Development; and Robert Charamella, Director of Broker Relations for the U.S. Export-Import Bank.

Multilateral Segment discussions will cover how bilateral and multilateral development programs (including the U.S. Global Trade and Technology Network) can assist U.S. associations in developing markets for their membership. Speakers include: Dan Kingsley, Past CEO and Advisor to U.S. Global Trade and Technology Network.

Association Executives Segment discussions will relate the real-life experiences of associations working with development programs, and insights from contractors working with associations. Speakers include: J. William Hudson, President and CEO of International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses; and A. Kishore Rao, Managing Director of BearingPoint (formerly KPMG Consulting).

Each segment will provide ample time for audience dialogue with the speakers via Q&A. Attendees will hear candid opinions and analysis from some of the industry's most respected authorities. They also will have the opportunity to interact with colleagues to share experiences, ideas, and solutions.

Steven Worth, President, Plexus Consulting Group, along with Susan Sarfati, CAE, President of the Center for Association Leadership and R. William Taylor, CAE, President of Association Management Solutions, are functioning as the coordinators of the event. The conference will be held in the Center for Association Leadership in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center located in Washington, DC on February 24, 2003 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST.

For conference registration information, contact Stefanie Gramm of Association Management Solutions at 703-908-0707 or e-mail sgramm@internationalmeetings.com.

About The Center for Association Leadership

The Center for Association Leadership, founded by the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives (GWSAE), is a portal to powerful and unparalleled learning experiences and resources that have the potential to transform the association profession. It offers an extensive array of programs, knowledge resources, and community networks that provide unlimited opportunities to find new ways to achieve personal and professional success. Learn more about the Center's services at www.centeronline.org.

About Plexus Consulting Group
Plexus Consulting Group is a management-consulting firm that provides marketing, management, and strategic planning services to association, for-profit, and governmental entities in North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Plexus's network of affiliate offices cover all these markets. The firm is headed by Steven Worth-a 25-year consulting veteran whose former professional titles include: Director of International Public Affairs and Communications, Deloitte, Touche, Tohmatsu; Managing Director of Hill and Knowlton Brussels, and Press Liaison for the U.S. Senate Majority Leader's office. For more information, visit the firm's website at www.plexusconsulting.com.

About Association Management Solutions

Association Management Solutions (AMS) provides professional management for organizations and for targeted programs. The company enables associations to minimize infrastructure and overhead expenditures and adapt to changing market needs by offering professional resources and expertise on a contract basis. AMS provides ongoing management and evaluation of professional resources that ensure associations are realizing their goals and return on investment. For more information on AMS, visit the company's website at www.assnmgtsolutions.com.