Chamber of Commerce Hawaii Leader First From Hawaii to Represent U.S. for Korea Foundation's Distinguished Individuals in Economic Sector

Sherry Menor-McNamara Also Appointed to U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100 and Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Board
HONOLULU (October 9, 2015) – Chamber of Commerce Hawaii President & CEO Sherry Menor-McNamara has been invited by the Korea Foundation to join 15 invitees from 15 countries to Korea to participate in its Distinguished Individuals in Economic Sector, a program designed to broaden the general public’s understanding of Korea, as well as form networks among business and government officials in the economic field. She will be the first one from Hawaii to represent the U.S. since the Foundation’s inception.
“I am honored to participate in this Korea Foundation program as a means of enhancing the future development and cooperative relations between the Republic of Korea and Hawaii and, more broadly, the U.S.,” said Menor-McNamara.  “On behalf of our board and membership,  we are grateful to the Korea Foundation for its vision and generosity in supporting this important exchange program to provide an arena for invited participants to experience the country’s intellectual, cultural and social offerings first hand.”
The program’s five-day agenda, October 25-31, 2015, includes lectures on Korean culture, society and economic development; visits with Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Korean Free Economic Zone, Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency and Korea International Trade Association; and tours of Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Samsung Innovation Museum and National Museum of Korea.
“It is a great pleasure to invite President Sherry Menor-McNamara, as Hawaii’s economic representative, to the Republic of Korea. Korea and Hawaii have long enjoyed a good relationship, and people-to-people exchange has recently been on the rise, with almost 200,000 Koreans visiting Hawaii last year. I hope that her visit to Korea will serve as a momentum to increase business opportunities and boost economic cooperation between Korea and Hawaii,” said Walter K. Paik, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Honolulu.
Participating countries include Socialist Republic of Vietnam, People’s Republic of China, Canada, The Independent State of Papua New Guinea, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Republic of Angola, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Republic of Zimbabwe, The Republic of Kenya, Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, Romania, Czech Republic, Republic of Guatemala, Republic of Nicaragua and Oman.
Menor-McNamara was also recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and to the “Committee of 100” for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. This committee of Chamber leaders advises the U.S. Chamber’s board of directors, enhances lobbying and coalition work, recommends programming, and strengthens outreach to the business and chamber communities.
As the “Voice of Business” in Hawaii, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii is the state’s leading advocacy organization. Established in 1850, the Chamber works on behalf of its approximately 1,000 member companies and the business community, as a whole, to advance the state’s economic climate and help businesses succeed. The Chamber supports its members with training, business building and networking opportunities; coordinates advocacy activities for members’ involvement; and serves as a liaison between civilian and military communities in Hawaii. Visit cochawaii.org.
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Contact: Lori Abe
808-545-4300
808-282-4398 (mobile)
labe@cochawaii.org