The following is a cross-post from Tradeology, the official blog of the International Trade Administration

Blog post by Brian Lenihan, Executive Director of SelectUSA

The SelectUSA Investment Summit brings global companies together with economic developers from across the United States, all for one purpose – to connect global business to local investment opportunities. I am honored and thrilled to say that this year’s Investment Summit will feature special guests from the White House. Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump and National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow will provide keynote remarks to more than 3,000 attendees on June 11-12. Both will focus on how business investment and SelectUSA play key roles in America’s economic resurgence.

Their inclusion in the program is further evidence of the Administration’s dedication to creating a pro-growth business environment where the world’s companies can flourish. It is also further evidence that the 2019 SelectUSA Investment Summit is the premier business investment event in the United States.

Global companies directly support more than seven million U.S. jobs, and SelectUSA is working to increase that number. But we are also dedicated to working with national and international stakeholders to ensure that American workers are equipped with the skills and education needed to succeed in the 21st century. That’s why Ivanka Trump will join Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Siemens’ U.S. CEO Barbara Humpton for a panel discussion on workforce development. Later that day, they will join several international business attendees for the signing of the Pledge to America’s Workers, a commitment to expand training and education for the U.S. workforce.

On Monday, the Investment Summit will commence with the Academy, a one-day series of educational panel discussions and presentations designed to get everyone up to speed with the latest trends in foreign direct investment (FDI). These in-depth sessions provide a foundation for attendees, giving them the tools, strategies, and information needed to turn business potential into business opportunity.

The following two days will offer an exciting mix of SelectUSA firsts and mainstage sessions on a wide array of topics: advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, workforce development, and more. Executives from Royal Dutch Shell, Siemens, Intel, SoftBank Group, and many more will share their experience and insight. New this year will be several industry-focused discussions between U.S. governors on how their states are working to attract, retain, and grow FDI. Of course, new investments will be announced in the Exhibition Hall as well.

The new features don’t stop there. The first-ever SelectUSA Tech Startup Investment Spotlight will feature dozens of early-stage tech startups eager to jump into the U.S. market. These companies will pitch their products and designs directly to U.S. investors, incubators, accelerators, and economic developers. In other words, it will be a match made in startup heaven.

The involvement of Ivanka Trump and Larry Kudlow and the addition of SelectUSA Tech promise to make this Investment Summit an incredible success. If you are unable to attend this year, I invite you to watch the livestream at SelectUSA.gov/newsroom and follow @SelectUSA on Twitter for on-the-ground updates.