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The International Round Table was founded in 1996 by Rachel Shipley after she and husband Jim hosted an economic mission to the Peoples Republic of China sponsored by the Economic Development Commission of Mid Florida. The Mission Group, consisting of a blue ribbon list of business and government leaders met on a monthly basis for an informal luncheon after their return. The Group grew as guests were invited. Eventually, the group was formalized into The International Round Table (often referred to as the IRT ). Meeting once a month, usually on the first Thursday of every month unless a holiday intervenes, The International Round Table has evolved into the number one venue for the international business in Central Florida.
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| The International Round Table meets at the University Club at the corner of Rosalind and Central in downtown Orlando. The IRT is not a membership organization, allowing for an ecletic group to gather, create relationships and exchange ideas each month. The format consists of gathering at 11:30AM for a half hour of networking, followed by a buffet luncheon. Then an invited speaker drawn from government, business, the international community and others of contemporary interest speaks for about a quarter hour. |
| At that point every attendee gives a short "elevator pitch" about their business or a specific activity in which they are involved. "In today's world of the internet and the global marketplace," says Rachel Shipley, President of Trading Wise, Inc. the official host of the IRT , "we are all, in one way or another, involved in international business." |
| To become involved in The International Round Table , send an e-mail with your name, company name, e-mail address and phone number to tradingwise@cfl.rr.com and you will be immediately added to the database. The IRT looks forward to seeing you at a monthly gathering in the near future. |
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