Port Lansing

Canadian Consul General Ray Norton, Ph.D., will address aspects of the Canada-Michigan relationship, as keynote speaker at a luncheon forum sponsored by the Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan and the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday May 10, 2011, from 12:00-1:30 p.m. at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing, Michigan.

Consul General Norton will highlight the many aspects of the Canada-Michigan relationship, including trade, environmental stewardship, and partners in global security. He will discuss the benefits of the New International Trade Crossing for Michigan's businesses and the importance of modern border infrastructure to meet the needs of the state's new economy.

As head of the Canadian Consulate General, Norton oversees promotion of Canadian interests in trade, environment and investment, among others. Currently based in Detroit, Norton represents Canada in Michigan and three other mid-western states.

Norton was previously Minister at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., where his posts included responsibility for Canadian governmental relations with the U.S. Congress and serving as a member of Canada's negotiating teams for the intellectual property and investment chapters of NAFTA. Earlier in his career, while based in Toronto, Norton worked as the Ontario Assistant Deputy Minister and as the International Relations and Chief of Protocol in the Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs. Among other positions, Norton has also worked in the Canadian parliament in the House of Commons and in the Senate and as Senior Policy Advisor to the Canadian Foreign Minister.

In addition to the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Global Business Club, sponsors for the luncheon featuring Consul General Roy Norton include Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC and MSU's Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER).

Registration for the luncheon is recommended and may be done online at www.GBClub.msu.edu or by calling Jade Sims at (517) 884-1660. Cost for the luncheon is $25, payable by credit card or check online, and check or cash at the door. On the day of the event, registration/networking will begin at 11:30 a.m., lunch at 12:00 p.m. and the keynote speaker at 12:30 p.m. The Kellogg Center Hotel and Conference Center is located at 55 South Harrison Road, on the campus of Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.