McDonnell readies European trip to market Virginia

By Olympia Meola
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Published: July 16, 2010

Six months into his administration, Gov. Bob McDonnell is embarking on his first weeklong foreign trade trip to market Virginia to business interests in Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands.

A dozen people will accompany McDonnell at various points of the trip, including two Cabinet secretaries, several economic-development officials, and his wife, Maureen, who will promote the state’s tourism and wine industries.

The governor’s itinerary, from Saturday through July 24, includes meetings with various business executives and government leaders in Europe, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, and U.K. energy ministers to discuss wind energy, according to the administration. He also will visit the Farnborough International Air Show.

McDonnell and his wife will host two events, including one to market the state’s wine and tourism offerings.

The governor will be joined by James Cheng, secretary of commerce and trade; Paul Grossman, director of international trade and investment for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership; Matthias Duys, director of international investment for Virginia’s European office; Vince Barnett, director of communications and promotions for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership; MaryShea Sutherland, the first lady’s chief of staff; and Jeanette Wang, Cheng’s wife, who will pay her own way.

In London, the group will join state Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd P. Haymore, as well as two more Virginia Economic Development Partnership officials.

Alisa Bailey, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corp., and Diane Bechamps, vice president of strategy and marketing for the Virginia Tourism Corp., will stay for the Germany and U.K. leg of the trip.

“This trade mission is an excellent opportunity to strengthen Virginia’s relationship with European companies that already have a Virginia presence and to share Virginia’s story with prospective corporate investors,“ McDonnell said in a statement yesterday.

“Over the past six years, 49 percent of new capital investment of projects worked by Virginia has come from international companies.“

The trip is expected to cost the state about $89,600.