Global Midwest Alliance
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Driving Innovation and Growth
Press Release
November 20, 2024
7TH MIDWEST FOOD MATTERS LEADERSHIP AWARDS HONORS BMO’S FOOD, CONSUMER AND AGRIBUSINESS GROUP FOR INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP, EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION
Global Midwest Alliance is a business-led, region-wide organization dedicated to transforming the Midwest into an internationally-recognized leader in innovation and business growth. The Alliance aligns and integrates resources throughout the Midwest helping businesses to grow by leveraging existing resources to develop new products and find customers throughout the world. The Alliance is the Private Sector Liaison Office for the World Bank and a member of Global CONNECT. Through these and other affiliations, the Alliance facilitates access to global business opportunities for Midwest business through 155 groups in 98 countries around the world. The Alliance offers educational and networking opportunities through a variety of programs and resources designed to promote innovation, technology development and access to global opportunities in the clean technology, energy, food, logistics, manufacturing and water industries. For more information, visit www.globalmidwestalliance.org.
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This prestigious event recognizes the outstanding contributions and leadership within the Midwest food industry while fostering a vibrant atmosphere for networking and collaboration. Supported by the generous contributions of more than 40 sponsors, the evening spotlighted the spirit of collaboration essential to the region’s continued success.
This year’s event also reflected a deeper commitment to giving back; all net proceeds will support critical non-profit initiatives, including Feeding America and the innovative industry support and development programs of Global Midwest Alliance.
The 7th Midwest Food Matters Leadership Awards serves as a testament to the power of partnership, the importance of leadership, and the endless possibilities for innovation within the Midwest food industry. Together, these efforts are advancing a stronger, more sustainable future for the region.
For more information about the event or Global Midwest Alliance’s programs, visit www.midwestfoodmatters.org.
CHICAGO – Leaders, suppliers and service providers from across the food industry gathered at Venue West in Chicago for the 7th Midwest Food Matters Leadership Awards, hosted by Global Midwest Alliance. The awards, which has become a signature event in the Midwest, honored BMO's Food, Consumer and Agribusiness Group for its remarkable commitment to the industry. Erica Kuhlmann, Group Head and Managing Director of BMO Commercial Bank's Food, Consumer and Agribusiness accepted the award on the Group’s behalf. Attendees celebrated the bank’s significant impact on financing and partnering with food, consumer and agribusiness companies advancing food system innovation and leadership within the Midwest food industry.
Gail Longmore, CEO and Managing Director of Global Midwest Alliance, underscored the award’s broader mission to unite and elevate the Midwest’s food industry. She said, “[T]he campaign focuses on highlighting the dynamic food industry in the Midwest, recognizing food industry innovation and leadership, and strengthening the connectivity in the food industry in the Midwest, leading to greater cohesion and synergies. The goal is to put the Midwest region on the global map as a leading center for food industry excellence and creativity and demonstrate the capacity of the food industry to give back and support important initiatives on a regional and global level.”
Left to Right: Erica Kuhlmann, BMO’s Food, Consumer and Agribusiness Group, Andrew Abrahams, Midwest Food Matters and Gail Longmore, Global Midwest Alliance
