Secretary Gale hosts diplomatic conference

Foreign representatives got an opportunity to learn what Nebraska has to offer the world at the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Diplomatic Conference on Oct. 30-31, 2006, in Omaha.

The event, sponsored by Secretary of State John Gale, highlighted the state in the areas of agriculture, business, education and technology. The theme of the conference at the Omaha Hilton Hotel was “Nebraska: America’s International Heartland.”

Forty-four diplomatic officials from 28 countries registered for the conference, which also was attended by Nebraskans representing agriculture, business, education and government.

“The purpose of the event was to educate foreign representatives on the progressive and dynamic quality of our state,” Gale said. “A priority is to promote Nebraska exports and encourage foreign investment in our state.

“The conference was part of my continuing efforts to build strong ties and friendships between Nebraska and the international community.”

The conference opened with an evening reception on Oct. 30. Events on Oct. 31 included a breakfast, a morning program focusing on developments in Nebraska, a luncheon, afternoon site visits and an evening reception at Joslyn Art Museum.

Gov. Dave Heineman delivered a keynote address at the breakfast. Speakers at the luncheon were Nebraskan Merlyn Carlson, deputy undersecretary for natural resources and environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Raymond Martinez, deputy chief of protocol of the U.S. Department of State. U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska spoke at the closing reception.

Gale held the conference in his role as chief protocol officer of the state. In that role, he engages in activities that enhance commercial, educational and cultural relations between Nebraska and foreign nations.

This was the second time that Gale has sponsored such an event. The inaugural diplomatic conference was held in Omaha in 2004.

Pictured at the Oct. 31 evening reception are (from left) Petr Kolar, ambassador of the Czech Republic; Secretary Gale; Raymond Martinez, deputy chief of protocol of the U.S. Department of State; and Oleh Shamshur, ambassador of Ukraine.

Among those attending the conference were (from left) J. Scott Brown, honorary consul of the United Kingdom; Narote Sangkamanee, deputy consul general of Thailand; and Kathleen Serra and her husband, Robert L. Serra, vice consul of Italy.

At the Oct. 31 evening reception, Dennis Owens (left), honorary consul general of Austria, and Robert Zischg (center), consul general of Austria, talk with U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.

Among the speakers at the conference were (from left) Gov. Dave Heineman, Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey and Greg Ibach, director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

The conference featured site visits of Omaha. Pictured is a tour of the Durham Western Heritage Museum.

Secretary Gale (right) is pictured with Wook Kim, consul general of South Korea.