The Association
of United States Representatives Abroad (AURA) is an
informal association of US state and county representatives
in the UK. It was started approximately four years ago
by the Commercial Service at the US Embassy in London
and I took over as President in 2002.
AURA is primarily made up of the companies or organisations
that represent parts of the US in the UK. We currently
have 50 members (28 UK-based), from 32 states, one US
city (Denver, Colorado) and one US county (Fairfax).
We also have 19 non-representative contacts, making
a total of 69.
The different offices provide a range of services, for
example, some include tourism, and others don’t.
Some are very active in trade missions and others are
not. It depends on the priorities and remits set by
the states for their work here.
We also maintain a large number of contacts from the
Council of American States in Europe (CASE), based in
Frankfurt, Germany, so we are not strictly UK limited.
AURA continues to work closely with the US Embassy in
London. We have good relationships with the government
investment bodies, like Invest·UK, as well as
the Regional Development Authorities around the UK,
and we hold events with representatives to keep our
members up to date with new initiatives and reiterate
the support that is available to us from these agencies
and organisations.
The members of AURA meet every three months to network
and discuss plans. We also swap notes on upcoming trade
missions in and out of the UK and UK events designed
to promote a sector or an area of the US here in the
UK.
Although we can be potential competitors for attracting
firms to our respective areas, in practice this conflict
seldom occurs. We all gain by exchanging ideas and tips
on useful contacts, such as good hotels and local transport
services. The US Embassy Commercial Service also uses
our member notices to distribute useful information
from the US Government.
If you are thinking of coming to the UK, one port of
call should be to check if your city, state or county
has an office in the UK or Europe. You will find a list
of many of the state/US offices here in this handbook.
They make an excellent first phone call.
Mick Ryan is also Director, London
Office of Fairfax
County (Virginia) Economic Development Authority
6th Floor, Empire House, 175 Piccadilly, London W1J
9TB
Inside UK:
Tel: 0800 085 0969
Fax: 0800 085 0969
Outside UK:
Tel: +44 (0) 1732 743310
Fax: +44 (0) 1732 743310
Mobile:+44(0)7050 103305
E-mail: FairfaxUK@dial.pipex.com
Website: www.fairfaxcountyeda.org
|
