SGI Global Business Advisors, an International Economic Development Consulting firm based in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, is organizing a high level medical IT mission of 15-20 Israeli companies to Northeast Ohio January 21-25, 2007. Fisher’s speech will open the week’s events, Fisher also serves as the Director of the Ohio Department of Development. Reservations to attend can be made at www.sgimissions.com or by calling 216-589-0693.

The mission is being organized jointly with the Government of Israel, through its Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute (IEICI) with support from the Israel Trade and Investment Center and the Israel Life Sciences Association (ILSA). SGI is coordinating at its web site www.sgimissions.com a schedule of private, one-on-one meetings with the visiting Israeli companies. In addition, there is a schedule of three public events members of the community can opt to attend:

• Monday’s program, including Fisher’s speech
• Wednesday’s luncheon, held at National Inventor’s Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio
• Wednesday evening’s presentation of Level 1 Treatment of Mass Casualty and Trauma presented by Haifa's world-famous Rambam Medical Center experts for emergency room physicians, trauma care specialists and first responders. This event is open to the public and will be held at the Embassy Suites in Independence.

Program events during the week will take place in Akron, Beachwood and Cleveland. The Israeli companies participating represent some of the most cutting edge and innovative technologies in the medical IT field and will be meeting with area hospitals, medical institutions, healthcare providers, VCs, insurance companies and others involved with medical IT products and solutions. The mission is an official, high-level Israel government event and the only such program planned by the IEICI for 2007 in the U.S.

Participating Israeli companies include later stage or fully developed businesses seeking access to the U.S. market through:

• R&D collaboration
• Customer/Distributor arrangements
• Co-location
• Beta site locations
• Clinical trial sites
• Investment partners

"Israeli medical and IT companies are finding that Northeast Ohio represents an ideal location to find strategic partners, investors and collaborative R&D, as well as an excellent area to locate their North American headquarters," says SGI Principal and mission organizer Howard Gudell. "The infrastructure currently available in this industry sector in NEO is tremendous with many communities and businesses having already established a strong track record in attracting Israeli companies."

Innovative medical information technologies represented by the Israeli companies include:

• Data Management – Advanced CPOE systems, medical Informatics, patient records management and activity based performance software
• Security Systems – RFID, biometrics and software solutions
• Telemedicine – Wireless monitoring and remote diagnostics
• Tele-radiology – Including CT and MRI
• Simulation Technology – Surgical simulation, robotics, smart operating rooms

Information about the event, including mission participants, sponsors and registration, can be found at www.sgimissions.com.

SGI specializes in assisting public and private sector organizations in developing and implementing international economic development projects, overseas trade initiatives and market penetration strategies. It currently is working with clients in Israel, the United Kingdom, India and the US.

SGI Global Business Advisors, LLC
815 Superior Ave.
Suite 2025
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 589-0693

Contact:
SGI Global Business Advisors, LLC
(216) 589-0693
Howard Gudell
hg@sgiglobal.com
or David Silk
ds@sgiglobal.com