Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner addresses the 49th Annual Joint Meeting of the Japan-Midwest U.S. and Midwest U.S.-Japan associations in Tokyo. Illinois REALTORS^® President Doug Carpenter was part of the delegation invited to tell the story of Illinois real estate investment opportunities. Photo: Gary Clayton, CEO Illinois REALTORS^®.

Illinois REALTORS^® President Doug Carpenter traveled to Japan late last week as part of a trade mission to encourage foreign investment in Illinois.

Doug Carpenter

Carpenter, who is finishing out his term as president, traveled with Illinois REALTORS^® CEO Gary Clayton on the trade mission with representatives of Intersect Illinois. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner joined the group and spoke at the 49th Annual Joint Meeting of the Japan-Midwest U.S. and Midwest U.S.-Japan associations.

Intersect Illinois is the state’s public-private economic development partnership which encourages investment in the state.

Ayumi DeLoney

Also on the trip is Illinois REALTORS® Consul General Liaison to Japan, Ayumi DeLoney.

Participation in the trade mission is part of an ongoing effort to market the state globally by Illinois REALTORS^®. The association has attended the annual MIPIM real estate conference in Cannes, France, for the past three years as part of a National Association of REALTORS^® delegation, and has set up a Consul General Liaison Program which provides information on the state’s real estate market to foreign investors.