About BCIU

"...I am most anxious that broader understanding of America be encouraged by private American groups carrying on their own people-to-people activities. In my opinion, the importance of the Business Council's work is great..."

- Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1957

Since its inception in 1955 as a White House initiative under President Eisenhower, the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) has been a neutral, results-oriented partner, facilitating dialogue and alliances between world businesses and political leaders.

With members from more than 150 world-leading companies, BCIU provides an ongoing forum for senior business executives to interact with heads of state/government, cabinet ministers, and senior government officials.

BCIU brokers contacts and organizes custom-tailored events, briefings and off-the-record discussions so that stakeholders may speak candidly about core issues in a direct and timely manner, enabling resolution of problems and promotion of business opportunities in both the private and public sectors of the global marketplace.

With BCIU’s help, business executives may brief government officials on their projects and concerns pertaining to a country or a region. In turn, senior government officials offer the most accurate assessment of local events and of their impact on the operations of BCIU member companies abroad.

With over fifty years of expertise in this field, BCIU continues to cultivate its extensive network, by constantly staying attuned to the concerns of its member companies, and by strengthening its unique relationships with U.S. government, foreign governments, and multilateral agencies. Moreover, BCIU’s network is continuously expanding to address new market developments, from technology to hedge funds, renewable fuels, as well as newly emerging markets across the globe.

Expertise

Cited as a model business-government partnership in the U.S. Government’s National Export Strategy, BCIU has conducted more than 5,000 business briefings and training programs for U.S. Ambassadors and section chiefs to prepare them for promoting U.S. commercial interests at their posts abroad. BCIU is also a recipient of the Secretary of Commerce’s Award for Excellence in Export Promotion, and an active member of Overseas Private Investment Corporation’s (OPIC) partner program to raise awareness throughout the country of the resources and programs available through OPIC. BCIU has been supporting the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s efforts to engage more systematically in private sector outreach in the U.S., and to develop a mechanism that encourages host countries to involve international companies in their consultative processes.

BCIU is also extremely active in the arena of expanded free trade. Some examples include:

• BCIU’s secretariat function for United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the business community for two Free Trade Agreements (Bahrain and Morocco).
• BCIU hosting of private sector dialogues as part of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) talks between the U.S. and Middle East partners including Algeria, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
• BCIU’s coordination efforts with the Chilean government to encourage grass-roots support for the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement and expanded use of its provisions by sponsoring and organizing speaking engagements for the Chilean Ambassador to the United States in three cities to discuss the proposed agreement and benefits.

BCIU’s scope is extensive, covering all regions of the world and a multitude of sectors including defense, energy, engineering/construction, financial services, health/ pharmaceuticals, IT/electronics/telecommunications, legal services, manufacturing, mining/metals, among others.

BCIU also forges partnerships with other international and multilateral organizations, such as the Millennium Challenge Corporation, to enhance its ability to deliver a wide range of services. For example, BCIU supports commercial diplomacy through the training programs it provides for U.S. Foreign Service and U.S. Commercial Service personnel. BCIU is also a pre-qualified IQC contractor for the U.S. Trade Development Agency, which helps to reinforce its ties with government agencies and to engage and interact with new companies in more sectors.

In addition to brokering relations and designing events, BCIU’s knowledgeable staff is always on hand to manage all aspects of the event for its members – including agenda building, logistics, briefing materials, marketing, and public relations. BCIU organizes events in major cities around the world, which are managed through its offices in Washington, D.C., New York, and London.

How to Participate in BCIU Events & Programs

Upon becoming a member, BCIU surveys each company’s specific areas and regions of interest in order to ensure that it is notified of all events pertaining to those interests. Membership means that members may attend BCIU events held in any city in the U.S. as well as abroad. Members may access the events calendar online at www.bciu.org, which lists all events around the world. Each member has an online account with which they may register online for any event, track all events for which they are registered, and view past events they have attended. The details of the location of the event will be sent via a confirmation email.

Members may also initiate and host an event customized for your needs. Our expert staff will manage the invitee list, mailing, attendance, logistics, and briefing materials.

Sponsorship opportunities may be available for larger events, which ensures a company’s exposure at the event and enhances the company’s profile among the participants.

If a member company has a business or policy issue with which it may or may not be sure how to approach, BCIU’s senior staff is available for consultation via our exclusive advisory services.

BCIU occasionally invites senior executives from non-member companies to select programs to attend and experience first-hand before deciding to proceed with membership. If you would like to be included in this non-member short list, please contact the Development Office at (212) 490-0460.

Please refer to BCIU Services for a synopsis of the various services offered by BCIU. To view BCIU’s past and upcoming programs, please visit our website at www.bciu.org