U.S. Department of State

Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and Mayor Kasim Reed will host the Fourth Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF) in Atlanta, Georgia, November 14-16. The ACF, a Summit of the Americas initiative, brings together representatives from the public and private sectors to discuss ways to spark innovation, create jobs, and expand trade among the countries of the Western Hemisphere. This year’s ACF will focus on innovation and green technologies, education and workforce development, entrepreneurship and small business development, and trade facilitation.

Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Arturo Valenzuela; Assistant Secretary for Economic, Energy and Business Affairs Jose Fernandez; Secretary of State’s Special Envoy for International Energy Affairs David Goldwyn; U.S. Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States Carmen Lomellin; and six U.S. Ambassadors will attend the Forum. They will join the President of El Salvador, the Vice Presidents of the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Panama, and approximately 1,200 participants from 31 countries. The full agenda can be found at http://competitivenessforum.com

The ACF is open for press coverage. Media representatives can obtain credentials by submitting an application via email to ACFpress@trade.gov. The application can be can be found at http://www.competitivenessforum.com/PressPublications.html. Press credentials must be picked up on site at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. All questions regarding press applications and registration should be emailed to ACFpress@trade.gov.

Department of State officials also will participate in the following side events (closed press):

• Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas Vice-Ministerial Meeting – Pathways to Prosperity links countries committed to democracy and open markets in an initiative to promote inclusive growth, prosperity, and social justice. Assistant Secretary Valenzuela will participate.
• U.S.-Central America Renewable Energy Forum (CAREF) – This is a dialogue on opportunities and obstacles to greater use of renewable energy and greater integration among Central American energy systems. Assistant Secretary Fernandez will host the event and Assistant Secretary Valenzuela will participate.
• Ambassadors’ Forum & Officer Outreach – U.S. Ambassadors will discuss the National Export Initiative at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. Economic Officers also will participate in outreach and recruiting events for area students at North Atlanta High School, Emory University, and Georgia State University.

For more information, please visit http://www.competitivenessforum.com