Law Firm Hosting Free Lunch Speaker Series Sept. 21-22 Featuring Senior Government Officials from Europe, Canada, Mexico, Asia

In anticipation of the G-20 Summit arriving in Pittsburgh Sept. 24-25, the law firm of Thorp Reed & Armstrong will host a complimentary luncheon speaker series in its offices on Sept. 21-22 featuring four senior government officials representing the European Union and Great Britain, Mexico, Canada and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Korea and Japan.

Attendees will be able to discuss business opportunities between Pittsburgh and each speaker's respective region both during formal comments, as well as by appointment following each session.

In addition, each speaker, an authority in their area of global expertise, will discuss a range of topics relevant to the G-20 Summit, as well as Pittsburgh and its economy and business leaders. Topics of discussion will include the global response to the financial and economic crisis, free trade, Pittsburgh's place in global business, commerce and investment.

"It's a great honor for Pittsburgh to host the G-20 Summit this year," said Kevin Colosimo, partner with Thorp Reed and leader of the firm's International Law Practice Group. "For the region's business leaders, it can be difficult to access the expertise and insight inherent in such an event.

"This speaker series offers an opportunity for attendees to see if and how they can engage in business opportunities in each represented region; Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America. It also brings the G-20 directly to the people of Pittsburgh and allows them to benefit from understanding larger global economic issues and how they impact the city and the surrounding region."

Complimentary lunch will be served during both days of the event. The schedule of speakers for the two-day event is as follows:

* Monday, Sept. 21, 10:30 a.m.-Noon - European Union Minister Counselor Anthony Smallwood
Smallwood is the Head of Press and Public Diplomacy for the European Commission Delegation to the United States in Washington D.C. He is also available for private meetings from Noon- 2 p.m.

* Tuesday, September 22, 10:30 a.m.-Noon - U.S. Trade Representative ASIA/APEC Affairs Deputy Assistant Arrow Augerot
Augerot is responsible for developing an implementing U.S. trade policy in the APEC forum. She is also available for private meetings from Noon- 2 p.m.

* Tuesday, September 22, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Enrique Ruiz-Salazar, Consul of Mexico in Philadelphia, and Michael Flaherty, Counsel and Senior Trade Commissioner, Canadian Consulate General Buffalo
Ruiz-Salazar is the representative of the Mexican government in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Southern New Jersey. Flaherty is responsible for the delivery of commercial programming for the Consulate General in Central and Upstate New York, Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Both speakers are available for private meetings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Those interested in attending the speaker series one or both days should contact Thorp Reed's Director of Marketing, Cynthia Tonet-Stewart, at cstewart@thorpreed.com or by phone at 412-394-7786.

For more information on Thorp Reed & Armstrong, call 1-800-221-7029 or go to www.thorpreed.com.

Read more at www.thorpreed.com/html/pdf/G20_Speaker_Series_PGH.pdf.