Seminars

Elevator Pitch Refresher Seminar
Videoconference presented by Joel Calvo
Monday, May 14th at 5:30 PM
Sheraton City Tower Hotel, Ramat Gan
(by invitation only)

Joel Calvo has been a successful business leader in the financial services industry for 28 years. He is a talented and accomplished senior executive whose strategies, communications skills and financial acumen have consistently delivered a successful track record of growing company profitability in small to large national, decentralized organizations.  Joel is Chairman & CEO of Calvo Capital where he is equally successful investing in private equity and commercial real estate. He serves on the boards of UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business and ZAAZ (a national communications firm offering end-to-end web-site expertise), a subsidiary of WPP Worldwide. Professional highlights include : • Chairman/CEO of a national Retail Broker/Dealer; • Chairman/CEO of a national Mutual Fund complex; • President/CEO of an Institutional Capital Markets Broker/Dealer; • President of a Retail and Institutional Commodities and Futures firm; • SVP /Director of Sales, Marketing and Product for an International Private Bank; as well as • Led several mergers and acquisitions; and • Active/Direct Investor in Commercial Property and Private Equity investments (e.g., Hedge Fund asset manager, Software and Web Marketing companies). Joel is a graduate of the University of Washington’s Business School. He has served on the Board and Executive Committee for the Orange County Performing Arts Center, as well as on the board of directors of Seattle Seafair and the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. He is a highly effective communicator, spokesperson and presenter who has spoken to many large audiences and has been a frequent television guest on CNBC, FOX News and CNN. Licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of California.

Invest in Pennsylvania Seminar
Finding Your US Strategic Partner
With the participation of Beth Cohen, David Briel and Jim Barley and Danny Moshaioff
Monday, June 4th at 9:30 AM
Sheraton City Tower Hotel, Ramat Gan
(for reservations contact Rebecca Raab at Tel. 02-571-0199)

Beth Cohen is Director of Emerging Growth Services at WolfBlock of Philadelphia and is the director of Emerging Growth Services there. She is a business development, marketing and legal executive with broad experience in both domestic and international markets. She has led diverse strategic and marketing initiatives and negotiated key business relationships for large and small companies, including technology transfer arrangements, strategic alliances and acquisitions.

David Briel has worked for eight years with the Office of International Business Development of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania including one year as an International Marketing Executive with the Center for Direct Investment.  Prior to his work with Pennsylvania, he was the Press and Information Officer at the Embassy of Japan, Washington, D.C.  He has also worked for the largest Japanese trading firm, ITOCHU Corporation and spent five years in Japan working for a business consulting group and the Ministry of Education.  

Jim Barley  is a partner in BarleySnyder, a law firm headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and is an expert in dealing with the problems faced by international firms entering the US. 

Danny Moshaioff is Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of Retalix Ltd., a Ra’anana-based software firm that has a significant presence, as well, in Pennsylvania

Developing Israel’s High Tech Sector-A Necessary Prerequisite to Israel’s Economic Security
Sponsored by the Merage Foundation for US-Israel Trade
Sunday evening Jun 24th-Tuesday afternoon Jun 26th. 
Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv
(by invitation only)

The forum will discuss the challenges faced by Israel to compete successfully in an increasingly global market place and to expand quality of life economic choices for all of Israel’s citizens.  Conclusions drawn from the Forum will be designed to help increase Israel’s ability to compete effectively in a world where the lines between national boundaries are becoming increasingly blurred for high tech firms and the former advantages of location are becoming increasingly marginalized because of the development of new technologies.  Dr. Daniel Zajfman, President, Weizmann Institute of Science will give the keynote address and Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg, Head, National Economic Council will provide an economic overview of the country.   Uzia Galil, Chairman & CEO of Uzia Initiatives will speak on the topic of High Tech and R&D Policy:  Problems, Challenges and Opportunities.

Higher Education and Graduate Business Education in Israel-Crisis in the Making: Program and Policy Options

Sponsored by the Merage Foundation for US-Israel Trade
Tuesday evening Jun 26th-Thursday afternoon Jun 28th. 
Carlton Hotel, Tel Aviv
(by invitation only)

Historically, Israel has depended on excellence in higher education to fuel a significant part of its economic growth.  Concurrently it was assumed that quality business schools and first class MBA programs would generate the first-rate leaders and managers necessary for significant business development.  But many independent analysts agree that the educational system on all levels is in a difficult, if not critical state of decline and that the MBA programs are, at best, uneven as regards quality.

This forum will provide an opportunity to discuss these issues. The goal  will be to develop options, if consensus is reached, concerning the strengthening of Israel’s higher education system including business schools and Israeli MBA programs.   

Merage Foundation’s Summer MBA Program

Sponsored by the Merage Foundation for US-Israel Trade
July 15th – 27th 
UC Hotel, Irvine, CA
(by invitation only)

The Merage Foundation initiative focuses on increasing MBA student capacity to develop and successfully implement company-based strategies to expand exports to the U.S. The curriculum includes modules concerning cultural differences between the U.S. and IsraelU.S. market analysis, marketing, and networking; robust sales and distribution alternatives; successful U.S. negotiation and procurement options; and U.S. trade policies. Teaching and training approaches include lectures, live case studies, interactive discussions, role play, presentations by U.S. executives, visits to corporate headquarters, and initiation of real-world business projects. Faculty members are leading, experienced business scholars and practitioners in the U.S. affecting Israeli exports; effective