Visit to the Midwest of the United States of America - Day 3

His Excellency then visited 1871 and MATTER. 1871 is Chicago’s entrepreneurial hub for digital start-ups. Located in the famed Merchandise Mart, the 50 000-square-foot facility provides Chicago start-ups with programming, access to mentors, educational resources and potential investors, and a community of like-minded entrepreneurs that help them on their path to building successful businesses. MATTER is a community of health care entrepreneurs and industry leaders from a range of fields—including health care IT, medical devices, diagnostics and biopharmaceutical products—that are working together in a shared space to create products and services that advance the health care industry.

On April 27, 2015, Governor General Johnston met with university leaders from leading research institutions based in Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin, along with their counterparts from Canadian institutions, to discuss academic co-operation and joint innovation research between leading Canadian and U.S. institutions. The round-table discussion took place in Chicago, Illinois.

Following his address, the Governor General answered questions from Ambassador Ivo Daalder, President of The Chicago Council on Global Affairs (left).

He addressed the importance of the Canada-U.S. economic relationship, during which he highlighted Canada’s economic competitiveness and innovation strengths. "Unprecedented opportunities await American scientists, researchers, investors, entrepreneurs and businesspeople to build partnerships with Canadians so that together we can find clear approaches to regenerate rusted cities, rejuvenate physical infrastructure, move beyond the internal combustion engine, retool our schools for the economy of the future, and help those in need enjoy lives of dignity and meaning."

The Governor General concluded his day in Chicago with a keynote address at The Chicago Council on Global Affairs. The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, founded in 1922, is an independent, non-partisan organization committed to educating the public—and influencing public discourse—on global issues of the day. The Council provides a forum in Chicago for world leaders, policymakers and other experts to speak to its members and to the public on these issues.

His Excellency then met with leading U.S. philanthropy representatives from some of the largest foundations in the U.S., headquartered in or near Chicago. They discussed trends and innovation in philanthropy, with a special focus on foundation mandates, funding for decision making, and collaboration between organizations.

Following his address, His Excellency answered a few questions from David Scanlan, Bloomberg Canada managing editor. The Council of the Great Lakes Region is a member-based organization led by an independent board of directors, with guidance from a larger advisory board. Both boards represent the diversity of regional interests and member organizations. The Council’s activities include preparing major research papers, developing region-wide strategies, hosting networking events and conferences, managing an online social and organizational networking space, and convening cross-sectorial dialogues and public outreach campaigns on issues of broad interest to the region.

His Excellency delivered a keynote address on the value of collaboration between business, government, academia and NGOs in fortifying the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Region, a vital hub for continental and global trade. The event was hosted by the Council of the Great Lakes Region.

Later that morning, the Governor General took part in the Great Lakes Economic Forum at Chicago's Cultural Center.

Following his visit, the Governor General participated in a discussion with innovation stakeholders from the Chicago region. The round table was co-chaired by Howard Tullman, CEO of 1871 and by Steven Collens, CEO of MATTER.

He also answered questions from the audience.