Trip Background

I thought this would be the easiest way to stay in touch with everyone through my 3 week European trip.

Background - For those who don't know, I will be in Europe working on Chamber's 7th European Health Care Trade Mission. The press release with more details about the Trade Mission is below.

A group of senior health care executives from Nashville, Tenn., and elsewhere in the United States will participate in a week-long trade mission this fall that will feature meetings in Sweden and Germany with top industry executives, health care officials, government leaders and others who play key roles in the health care systems of those nations and the broader European Union.

“We are looking forward to showcasing Nashville’s health care industry on a global basis during this mission,” said Jack O. Bovender, Jr., mission leader and chairman and CEO of HCA Inc. “The many high-level meetings with industry and government leaders will serve to introduce Nashville’s health care innovations and to foster discussion about similar opportunities and challenges facing the health care systems in both Sweden and Germany, as well as across the European Union.”

Health Care Council Acting President Caroline Young said, “A primary objective of the mission is to establish contacts with key industry leaders and policymakers in each country, as well as to generate two-way business opportunities. In addition, the trade missions provide a unique opportunity to spread the word on a global basis that Nashville is a health care industry capital pioneering ideas and solutions to our common health care challenges.”

Added John Butler, vice president International Business at the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, “These missions have a strong track record of generating positive trans-Atlantic discussions and business development, which also contribute to economic and job growth in the Nashville area and elsewhere.”

This year we have a group of around 30 Nashville Health Care executives and service providers who will attend meetings and receptions. We will be in Stockholm, Sweden September 5 - 9 and in Berlin Sept 10 - 13. Then vacation in Greece!

My cousin Lyn arrives in Berlin Friday, September 12th and will attend our Farewell Dinner at The Reichstag. Our mothers join us in Berlin on Saturday the 13th after a tour of our ancestors church and what-not in other German cities/towns. The 4 of us will stay in Berlin until Monday morning (our hotel is where Michael Jackson dangled his baby "Blanket" over the balcony - ha).

On Monday, September 15th, we fly to Athens, Greece where our family friends - Elaine and Yianni Isaak are living. They are graciously hosting us and touring us around Athens. We will also make a trip to their island home that I have heard so much about for years from my childhood friend, their daughter Alexia. It is also the same island where "Mama Mia" was filmed for those of you who have seen the movie. Needless to say - I CAN'T WAIT!!!

I will do my best to update the blog (this is very new to me!) - It will be my way of emailing everyone with trip updates. Disclaimer - I am not a writer, and I'm a terrible speller! Again, this is just to keep interested family and friends up to date with our travels.

Blewett