Mary Ellen Upton, brings substantial experience to the field of international economic development. She founded her own company, International Events, Inc.,(IEI) in 1995. IEI's professional services include foreign corporate visits in the United States, corporate on-site visits, in-bound trade and investment missions, business-related seminars and conference and meetings. The Division of IEI specializes in the organization, implementation and management of corporate visits designed specifically for international diplomats, foreign dignitaries and corporate executives..
Since 1995, Ms. Upton's clients have included high-level international dignitaries and corporate executives ranging from Chief Executive Officers and other senior business executives to Ministers of State and sub-Cabinet officials. Throughout the United States, Ms. Upton has organized corporate and government visits in the following industry sectors: Agriculture and Environment; Biotechnology; Computer Technology; Finance and Investment; Health Care and Education; Media; Transportation (Sea, Land and Rail); Aerospace and Aviation; Telecommunications and Venture Capital.
From January 2000 - September 2001, IEI helped to develop and manage the Pinellas County (Florida) Economic Development "Mexico Initiative." The program mandate included continuing to develop business relationships between Mexican and Pinellas companies; "branding" the Pinellas County area among Mexican businesses and public officials; and promoting new trade and investment flows with Mexico. During the year 2000, the Initiative produced over $23 million in new expected business for Pinellas County firms. Secretary to the Board of Directors of the Gulf of Mexico States Partnership, Inc. .
Ms. Upton is the founding Executive Director of the Visiting International Professionals Program (VIPP), a Tampa Bay region-wide program founded in 2000. VIPP is the programmatic vehicle of the International Council of West Central Florida, Inc. (a 501 c 3 corporation under the Internal Revenue Code) for the express purpose of participating in the US Department of State's "International Visitor Program" and its national association, the National Council of International Visitors. VIPP is recognized by the US Department of State as the "council for international visitors" for the seven-county Tampa Bay region. From 2000 to 2003, Ms. Upton has arranged programs for more than 400 visitors from more than 100 countries.
Mary Ellen Upton is also the Executive Director for the Gulf of Mexico States Accord Secretariat. The Accord is an international cooperative agreement between the six Mexican states and five US borderstates located on the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, Ms. Upton serves as Secretary to the Board of Directors of the Gulf of Mexico States Partnership, Inc., the business counterpart to the official Accord.
Ms. Upton recently assisted in completing the international economic development strategy for the Florida Chamber Foundation's "New Cornerstone" project, a 10-year strategic planning tool for state business and government..
Ms. Upton also works with the United States Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration as a conference planner for the MARAD's Short Sea Shipping Conference.
International Events, Inc. has been a:
" Florida certified, Minority Business Enterprise, since 1997.
" In addition, in 1999, the United States Small Business Administration awarded International Events, Inc., the Small Business Advocate of the Year - Women in Business Advocate of the Year - First Runner Up Award.
Ms. Upton is an active board member of the Gulf of Mexico States Partnership, Inc., and The People's Princess Charitable Foundation
Division of IEI specializes in the organization, implementation and management of corporate visits designed specifically for international diplomats, foreign dignitaries and corporate executives..
