Akron is hosting a 10 member trade delegation - looking to invest in the Midwest, and the city hopes, in Akron.

The members of the Chicago International Trade Commissioners Association are led by the trade commissioner of the Wallonia region of southern Belgium...Martine Leclercq, brought the group to Akron City Council Monday night.  She believes Akron has a lot to offer, from what she's been experiencing.

"Because of biocorridor and because of the polymer industry, because you have like at least five of the top five companies," Leclercq tells AkronNewsNow.com. "So we visited FirstEnergy, we're going to Goodyear and Bridgestone tomorrow...you have an amazing economic development team, offering like an integrated service...making you a really interesting partner in the regions." 

Mayor Don Plusquellic says the city's overseas trade trips have helped lay the groundwork for return visits like this one.

"It's a result of our outreach overseas, that they've learned about Akron and about how much we've done to encourage investment here, companies coming from all over the world," Mayor Plusquellic said, "and that's what we want to continue."

The group comes from countries like Turkey and Hungary, part of 41 regional trade commissioners based in Chicago.