Hi Bob,

Thanks so much for your e-mail, and I’m sorry for my delay in responding.

It should not be a problem to start the session at 8:30 a.m. We're currently confirming Ivo's availability to give welcoming/framing remarks, and I should be able to let you know in the next day or two. 

Your plan below for a drop off on Randolph Street would be ideal, and they can walk right into One Prudential Plaza and into our Conference Center. Bus parking in front of the building can be a bit challenging at that time since Prudential has its own fleet of buses that shuttle building tenants to and from train stations, and many of them will be arriving between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. I've asked our building staff for any suggestions on the best location for the bus to park during the presentation.

It won't be a problem to take a break between presentations. Dina is confirmed, and Craig Kafura will join her on stage. Dick Longworth unfortunately had to cancel due to a family issue that arose, but Phil Levy, our Senior Fellow on the Global Economy, will be able to present in Dick's place.

For suggested reading in advance of the presentations, we would like to suggest the following: https://digital.thechicagocouncil.org/what-americans-think-about-america-first?_ga=2.108338370.1392387488.1527184480-560838036.1520538676

The presentation Dina and Craig will deliver is titled "What Americans Think about America First." I will furnish the title of Phil's presentation to you as soon as he sends it to me.

I hope this is helpful, and I will keep you updated with additional information. By any chance do you have a list of the delegation members that I can share with our presenters? And please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Best,

Matt

 

 

 

Hi Matt,

 

I hope you have been well and know that you are all preparing for the Global Cities Conference coming up the week after next.

 

I have just a few very quick questions/requests for the visit by the IDF officers scheduled for June 11^th at the Council. I would appreciate your response at your earliest convenience (by next Tuesday COB if possible). Whatever is not knowable at this time will be inserted along the way.

 

Logistics:

 

1)    Please note that per previous request from Lt. Col Or, can the session start at 8:30 am, rather than 9:00?

 

2)    The delegation will be coming in one bus. Will there be a designated parking space for the vehicle? Where?

 

3)    Since there will be more than 50 members of the delegation, expediting their entry into your building will be critical to save time. As I recall from the last event we did with you (Stav Schafir), if the bus parks on Randolph, they can walk into the Aon Center and right to your Conference Center where your folks could just check them through. I assume you will trust us to confirm the delegation members. I will stand outside with your people and make sure that no “undesirables” enter.

 

4)    LTC Or requested that there be a 10-15 minute break between presentations.

 

Content:

 

5)    Whoever will be presenting an overview of the CCGA’s mission and activities (Ivo, Niamh or you), I will need their name and a bio (if not already on your web site). Even if Ivo is not giving the full presentation, it would be nice if he came in for a few words of welcome at the beginning (if he is available).

 

6)    Are Richard Longworth and Dina Smeltz confirmed as presenters?

 

7)    Have they suggested titles (based on our discussion with Matan and Itay) for their presentations? As you can see by the entry in the itinerary as it currently appears, I have furnished links to their bios.

 

8)    Also, if they want to recommend any articles to be read in advance that might enhance their presentations, we would be happy to forward the links to the delegation.

 

8:30 am-11:00 am      Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

Conference Center, 130 East Randolph. Contact: Matt Abbott, Director, Government and Diplomatic Programs; Tel: +1 312-256-8506 │ e-mail: mabbott@thechicagocouncil.org. Program/Discussion (tentative):

 

Introduction: What CCGA does, Projects and Initiatives. (Ivo, Niamh, Matt)

 

Richard C. Longworth, Distinguished Fellow, Global Cities. Author: Caught in the Middle: America’s Heartland in the Age of Globalism, on the impact of globalization on the American Midwest.

 

Break: 10 minutes

Dina Smeltz,,  Senior Fellow, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy. Oversees CCGA  Annual Survey: American Public Opinion and Foreign Policy..

 

I think that is it for now.

 

Thanks so much for hosting this very important group. The leaders of the delegation and of course the Consul General greatly appreciate your generosity of time and resources.

 

Best,

 

Bob

 

Bob Schwartz| Senior Policy Advisor

Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest
Phone: (312) 380-8812 (Direct)|Fax: (312) 380-8855
500 W. Madison St., Suite 3100, Chicago, IL 60661

http://embassies.gov.il/chicago/