International Delegation visits Kansas for One Health Industry Engagement Days

International Delegation visits Kansas for One Health Industry Engagement Days
International Delegation visits Kansas for One Health Industry Engagement Days(wibw)
Published: Jun. 24, 2025 at 6:40 PM CDT
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TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - The International Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce recently hosted an international delegation for the One Health Industry Engagement Days.

According to a press release from the Kansas Department of Commerce, the event highlighted Kansas’s prominent Animal Health Corridor, which is home to more than 300 animal health companies and ventures.

The event was in collaboration with the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, and the Greater Manhattan Economic Partnership.

The two-day event allowed Kansas leaders in business and education to showcase the expanding opportunities for industry engagement and focused on strengthening relationships with global partners in the human and animal health industries. These critical sectors contribute more than $2.2 billion to the state’s GDP annually.

The International Division hosted a delegation of Consul Generals, diplomatic officers, and international economic development partners from Brazil, Czechia, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, and Taiwan.

The event highlighted Kansas’ educational institutions conducting world-class research and development, and the international business ecosystem that has uplifted the state’s strengths in the human and animal health sectors.

The goals of the engagement included:

  • Strengthening relationships with international partners
  • Raising international awareness of industry success in Kansas
  • Creating new international collaborations, partnerships, investments, and trade

Attendees were allowed to tour educational research labs and facilities, learning about advancing technologies and current work taking place in the human and animal health sectors. Participants also visited research institutes and innovation parks to meet with industry-specific companies.

Attendees visited the State Capitol for a Diplomatic Networking Brunch, followed by a tour of Hill’s Pet Nutrition research facility in Topeka.

Participants also visited the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City and learned about important research and workforce development efforts happening at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC).

The Animal Health Corridor, extending from Manhattan to Columbia, Mo., is the single largest concentration of animal health interests in the world. Recent successes, such as Merck Animal Health’s announcement to invest $895 million in expanding its manufacturing and research and development facilities in De Soto, demonstrate the ongoing and expanding potential for continued growth.