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AURA is an informal association of US state and county representatives in the UK. It was established by the US Commercial Service in London over seven years ago. I have recently taken over as president from Mick Ryan who, over the previous five years, proved to be an active and successful president in building up the organisation in terms of the range and quality of events and in the number of members, particularly those from the private sector.

We have nearly 50 US state, county and city members covering a wide geographic area in the US. In addition, AURA now has around 90 commercial and private sector members, giving us a total membership of over 140. The different state, city and county offices provide a wide range of services for companies wishing to trade with or invest in their particular region. Many of these offices will also help organise inward and outward trade missions. In addition, some offices offer a tourism service for either or both the trader and consumer.

AURA also maintains strong links with the Council of American States in Europe (CASE) based in Frankfurt, Germany. This link gives AURA commercial members and contacts access to virtually every US representative office covering the UK.

In addition to working closely with the US Embassy and Commercial Service in London, we have excellent relationships with UK Trade and Investment, both in London and other regions of the UK, many of the UK Regional development Authorities and the regional organisations of BABC. We meet these organisations regularly in order to ensure that our members are kept abreast on any new initiatives, planned activities, new contacts and the support available to our members.

The members of AURA meet every three months for a breakfast event with high quality, relevant speakers followed by an opportunity for members to network. Members will swap notes on up and coming trade and investment events and relevant trade missions. This is also an opportunity to discuss topical issues with the US Commercial Service representatives. We also hold an informal networking get-together once or twice a year.

Although our state, county and city members are potential competitors for inward investment (in truth, conflict seldom occurs), we are all committed to helping US-UK trade and investment, and we believe that by exchanging ideas, information and contacts is to the benefit of all.

The US Embassy Commercial Service also uses our email member notices to distribute important or relevant information from the US government. We welcome new members who have a specific interest in doing business in the US or with US companies and organisations.

For more information about AURA
please contact:
Tim Church or Tracey Smith
ED Alliance
Grosvenor Gardens House,
Suite 70
35-37 Grosvenor Gardens
London
SW1W 0BS
Tel: 44 (0) 20 7630 5033
Email: timchurch@edalliance.co.uk
traceysmith@edalliance.co.uk

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