Gov. Pritzker and State of Illinois Delegation Attend 2024 SelectUSA Investment Summit

SPRINGFIELD- ​ Governor Pritzker today announced the Illinois delegation for the 2024 SelectUSA Investment Summit, led by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Intersect Illinois, and 12 economic development partners. Hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the annual SelectUSA Investment Summit represents the highest-profile economic summit in the country dedicated to promoting foreign direct investment (FDI). The 10th SelectUSA Investment Summit will take place at National Harbor, Maryland from June 23 - 26, 2024.

“Illinois continues to thrive as a global innovation hub, attracting international business investors through our state’s promising economic landscape and impressive workforce,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The SelectUSA Investment Summit is a critical opportunity for our delegation to connect with economic leaders from across the nation and identify various emerging markets in technology and their prospective impacts.”

The annual SelectUSA Investment Summit convenes delegations from across the country to promote the United States as the world's premier investment destination, connecting foreign firms with U.S. economic development organizations to facilitate business investment and job creation. Last year’s 2023 SelectUSA Summit attracted a record 4,900 attendees with more than 2,300 business investors representing approximately 83 international markets. SelectUSA offers Illinois and its partners an opportunity to network and create new pathways for investment opportunities.

“As a global economic powerhouse, SelectUSA serves as a key annual event for Illinois to grow opportunities for FDI,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “Team Illinois is proud to be comprised of economic development entities from across our great state and we look forward to promoting Illinois' unmatched workforce, infrastructure, and other assets that make Illinois a top global market.”

As part of the conference, Governor Pritzker will participate in SelectUSA’s first panel, “Innovation Ecosystems: Shaping the Future of Tech” alongside Governors from Michigan, Nevada, and Virginia. The panel will focus on how states are investing in technological infrastructure and emerging technologies, and how federal programs like CHIPs, the Science Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the designation of EDA’s Regional Tech Hubs support the tech ecosystem.

With an economy topping a $1 trillion GDP, Illinois is a premier option for international firms. FDI plays a major role in the state's economy, with nearly 2,700 international companies representing over 80 countries and directly supporting over 550,000 jobs in Illinois. Illinois has attracted significant FDI investments over the last several years, powering major projects in the fields of food processing, advanced and biochemical manufacturing, and the electric vehicle industry.

“SelectUSA provides us with a unique platform to connect with international companies looking to grow in the United States,” said Intersect Illinois CEO Dan Seals. “We look forward to coming together with our economic development partners from across the state to showcase our strength in a diverse range of industries and highlight the opportunities for growth in Illinois.”

Recent FDI investments come as Illinois has received notable recognition in 2024, including being named number one for workforce development in the Midwest, the number one ranked area (Chicagoland) and the number two state for corporate investments and relocations in the U.S., further establishing the state as a global economic powerhouse.

Team Illinois partners attending this year's Summit include:

Delegates will promote a wide variety of Illinois communities for business investment, while highlighting the state's assets. The Illinois booth will showcase the state's modern transportation infrastructure, talented and diverse workforce, easy access to key suppliers, markets, and customers, as well as its supportive business climate and central location.

For updates, follow hashtags #SelectUSASummit, #SelectUSA, #TeamIllinois #BeInIllinois, #FDI, #EconDev and the following accounts: @IllinoisDCEO @intersectillini1 @SelectUSA @CommerceGov @TradeGov. Attendees are encouraged to visit Illinois' booth (#323).

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