BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.2.3.1//EN TZID:America/New_York X-WR-TIMEZONE:America/New_York BEGIN:VEVENT UID:18@globaltiesakron.org DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York;VALUE=DATE:20260529 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York;VALUE=DATE:20260607 DTSTAMP:20260408T170007Z URL:https://globaltiesakron.org/events/open-world-business-development-res earch-commercialization-latvia-2026/ SUMMARY:Business Development & Research Commercialization | Leaders from La tvia DESCRIPTION:Business Development &\; Research Commercialization | Open W orld Visit | Leaders from Latvia\n \;\nGlobal Ties Akron is honored to welcome leaders from Latvia to Akron\, Ohio\, for a 10-day Open World exc hange focused on business development and research commercialization — p art of the Congressional Office for International Leadership (COIL) progra m.\n\nAbout the Visit\nFrom May 29 to June 6\, 2026\, Global Ties Akron ho sts a delegation from Latvia as part of the Open World Program\, administ ered by the Congressional Office for International Leadership (COIL). This 10-day professional exchange focuses on business development and research commercialization\, exploring how American institutions translate researc h and innovation into economic opportunity.\nWith the University of Akron ’s polymer and engineering research programs and Kent State’s Office o f Innovation and Economic Development\, Akron provides an ideal environmen t to examine real-world examples of academic research fueling regional eco nomies.\n\nLatvian delegates will explore U.S. strategies for turning univ ersity and public-sector research into commercially viable products and ve ntures. Delegates will learn about licensing\, venture capital\, startup a ccelerators\, and university-industry partnerships. during their in Akron and the surrounding region. Participants will also stay with American hos t families\, gaining an authentic view of life in Northeast Ohio.\nAbout t he Open World Program\nThe Open World Program is the United States' only l egislative branch exchange program. Operated by COIL it brings emerging po litical and civic leaders from across the globe to American communities fo r 10-day professional exchanges. Since 1999\, the program has hosted more than 30\,000 delegates and built a network of over 9\,000 host families ac ross the United States. Learn more about COIL's impact.\nUnlike executive- branch programs\, the Open World Program facilitates direct engagement wit h Members of Congress\, congressional staff\, and state and local legislat ors\, giving delegates a uniquely immersive view of American democracy and civic life.\nThis program is made possible through a grant awarded to Glo bal Ties Akron by COIL\, with support from American host families and loca l partner organizations throughout the region.\n\nAbout Global Ties Akron\ nGlobal Ties Akron is one of Northeast Ohio's leading organizations for in ternational exchange and citizen diplomacy. We connect visiting internatio nal leaders with the institutions\, businesses\, and communities that defi ne Akron\, and help build lasting partnerships between our city and the wo rld. We are a proud member of the Global Ties U.S. network.\nAll upcoming exchange visits →\nBecome a Host Family →\nMeet This Group → ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://globaltiesakron.org/wp-content/uploads/2 026/02/pexels-mikhail-nilov-8847209-1.jpg CATEGORIES:Community,International Exchange END:VEVENT BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York X-LIC-LOCATION:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20260308T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE END:VCALENDAR