U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk Closes out RILA Logistics Conference 

United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk closed out RILA Logistics 2010 with a dynamic presentation on how trade policy can help to create and increase export opportunities for American companies in the global marketplace and grow well-paid jobs for American workers, the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) said today.

Ambassador Kirk is a member of President Obama's cabinet and serves as the president's principal trade advisor, negotiator and spokesperson on trade issues.

Ambassador Kirk draws upon more than 25 years of diverse legislative and economic experience on local, state and federal levels. As the first African American mayor of Dallas from 1995 - 2001, he earned a reputation for bringing together diverse coalitions to get things done.  During his tenure as mayor, Ambassador Kirk expanded Dallas' reach to the world through a range of trade programs, including numerous trade missions. His economic development efforts helped secure more than 45,000 jobs and investment of more than $3.5 billion in Dallas.

“As United States Trade Representative, I am working hard to ensure that Americans continue to reap all the benefits of trade – more and better opportunities in the international marketplaces, more and better jobs here at home, and more choices at lower prices in their local shopping center," said Ambassador Kirk.

“With a timely and thought-provoking address, Ambassador Kirk delivered a powerful message, driving home the budding importance for retail in the global marketplace,” said RILA President Sandy Kennedy. "Ambassador Kirk also highlighted the importance of international trade as an engine of U.S. economic growth, and noted that 43 million Americans owe their livelihoods to trade."

Attendees also heard from Fareed Zakaria, editor of Newsweek International, and columnist & CNN host on the final day of RILA Logistics 2010. In this session, Fareed offered a comprehensive look at foreign affairs and the policies shaping our world, with an emphasis on new ideas and innovative approaches to solving the world's toughest problems.

Zakaria has developed an international reputation as a global thinker and “the most influential foreign policy adviser of his generation.” Esquire named him “one of the 21 most important people of the 21st century.” As one of the world's leading journalists and commentators, he hosts “Fareed Zakaria – GPS for CNN Worldwide,” a weekly global get-together focused on international topics, contributes analysis to other CNN programs across CNN Worldwide and oversees all of Newsweek's editions abroad and writes a regular column on foreign affairs appearing both in Newsweek and The Washington Post.

“We saw record-breaking attendance for Logistics 2010,” said Casey Chroust, executive vice president of retail operations. “Speakers and attendees were animated and engaged, and we’re looking forward to continuing our momentum and welcoming back attendees for an even better program in 2011,” Chroust concluded.

RILA is the trade association of the world’s largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.

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