| 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 six 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 49 members (21 UK based), from 26 states, one US
city (Denver, Colorado) and one US county (Fairfax).
We also have 86 non-representative contacts, making
a total of 135.
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-am-Main, 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, such as UK Trade and Investment,
as well as the Regional Development Authorities around
the UK, and 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 the Handbook.
They make an excellent first phone call.
Mick Ryan is also Director, London
Office of Fairfax County (Virginia) Economic Development
Authority
For further information, contact:
6th Floor
Empire House
175 Piccadilly
London W1J 9TB
E-mail: fairfaxuk@dial.pipex.com
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
Website: www.fairfaxcountryeda.org
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