Chicagoland – which includes the six northeast counties of the State of Illinois, and stretches from the states of Wisconsin to Indiana – has significant global connections. At its center is the city of Chicago which is the third largest city in the United States with 9.5 million people, 4.5 million jobs and a $500 billion economy. It has a truly international, culturally-diverse workforce that encompasses over 132 language groups.

The region boasts a globally-diversified economy, including 160 company headquarters, 30 Fortune 500 company headquarters, 12 Fortune Global 500 and 10 Financial Times Global 500 companies.

The world’s transportation crossroads includes a non-stop global gateway to 65 international and 149 U.S. business centers, and the largest intermodal-container capacity in the Western Hemisphere. Chicago has a global telecommunications hub built around one of the world’s most advanced telecommunications infrastructures.

Programs

The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce International Projects program works closely with members to develop seminars and matchmaking meetings that focus getting access to global markets and resources. The department promotes inbound and outbound trade and helps members successfully brand and market their products. Special attention is given to conducting an ongoing set of forum-like events in which members can learn from and collaborate with international experts and fellow members on topics of global interest – thus helping them achieve their business, professional and personal goals.

The department also conducts webinars that offer international business information, including discussions on economics, labor issues, law and international strategy. It maintains an international resource library to help members access information on critical global issues.

For more information, contact Shufen Zhao at (312) 494-6784 or szhao@chicagolandchamber.org.