Mo. In a new collaboration that joins Rockhurst's business management expertise with KU's regional dominance in international study, the two are launching new programs this fall for area business leaders, said David Lambertson, KU Director of International Development and former U.S. ambassador to Thailand. Jack Pierson, Preco chair, said his firm's foreign sales have jumped to nearly 40 percent of Preco's current business, from only 5 percent to 10 percent of total sales seven years ago. Preco hired a director of Far Eastern marketing, reflecting a commitment to doing business in China and other East Asian and Southeast Asian markets, Pierson said.
International markets hold the greatest potential for expansion.
Robert Galvin, former Motorola chief executive officer, and Gary Hamil, nationally known business writer, will be speakers. Additional half-day Executive Updates will be offered on markets in Southeast Asia Nov. 4, in China Nov. 18 and in Argentina and Brazil Dec. 2. Bob Riordan, director of corporate relations at Black and Veatch, sees such programs as serving a key function for the region. Foreign markets simply can't be ignored if regional companies are to meet their full potential. We're pleased to be part of this effort to educate Kansas City-area firms about business conditions in these three key world markets.