CONSUL GENERAL NEILLY CONNECTS WITH CHICAGO
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – Mr. Theo Neilly, Bahamas Consul General to Washington D.C. led the first Mission to Chicago by a Bahamas Consul General on 13th – 16th June, 2018. The Mission was spearheaded by Mr. Michael Fountain, Bahamas Honorary Consul to Chicago, as a result of a meeting held on Capitol Hill between Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives (D-IIL) and a Bahamian delegation, headed by H.E. Sidney Collie, Ambassador of The Bahamas to the U.S. in December, 2017.
The primary focus of the Mission was for the government of The Bahamas to connect, strengthen, and establish new relationships with government officials in the State of Illinois, key business leaders and educational stakeholders to explore opportunities, which could mutually benefit educational interests and economic growth initiatives of The Bahamas while exposing the Chicago community to the vast investment opportunities in The Bahamas.
The delegation met with stakeholders such as representatives from the Office of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the Office of State Representative William Davis, the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, Illinois International Port District, the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and engaged in bilateral discussions regarding the opening of business markets, technology education, energy policy, increased direct airlift, trade related shipping, economic development, agribusiness, investment and employment, and training opportunities for Bahamians.
During the Mission, a Reception was held to enable the Consul General to meet core members of the Bahamian Diaspora, who were recognized for their commitment to the Bahamian community in Illinois.
Bahamian Delegation – (L-R): Janine A. Gibson, Vice Consul, Theo Neilly, Consul General to Washington, D.C, Michael Fountain, Honorary Consul, Valery Brown-Alce, Senior Director, Sales and Marketing, Ministry of Tourism.
Members of the Bahamian Diaspora with the Delegation at a Reception catered by Chef Jeff Crittenden a renowned Bahamian Chef based in Chicago.