WASHINGTON — Sen. Chuck Grassley today announced that he will once again bring foreign diplomats to Iowa during his biennial "Ambassadors Tour" from Aug. 15 – 19. Already, representatives from 74 countries are signed up for the tour.

Grassley's Ambassadors Tour is designed to showcase Iowa's resources, facilitate greater economic collaboration between Iowa and other countries, and expose Iowa to the rich diversity of the world community. The first tour was held in 1986. The dignitaries visit several business, as well as tour the Iowa State Fair and a family farm.

"This is an opportunity for Iowa to show the world our innovative businesses, celebrated agriculture, and top-notch schools," Grassley said. "Our guests will learn about Iowa's people, land and businesses and take this back to their home countries. We’re making real connections here."

The week-long tour will travel through the communities of Des Moines, Marshalltown, Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Charles City, Waverly, Denver, Dubuque,Cedar Rapids, Amana, Iowa City, Williamsburg, Grinnell, Prairie City, and West Des Moines.

Every other year, Grassley invites each country with an embassy located in Washington, D.C. to send to Iowa their ambassador and spouse. If the ambassador is unable to participate, the embassy has the option of sending another designee.

Grassley said during the week the diplomats will stay in the houses of Iowans at the over-night stops in the Cedar Valley, Dubuque, and Iowa City. "Our friends from around the world see first-hand the generosity of hundreds of Iowans. They're immersed in Iowa values and friendship," he said.

Grassley began his effort during the 1980s farm crisis. Fostering good relations with new and existing trading partners is an integral part of Grassley’s work as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees trade issues.

Tour events are completely funded by private, individual and corporate sponsors. Grassley also works with the Iowa Department of Economic Development to maximize the benefits of the trade tour of Iowa.

Here is the schedule for the week.

11:00 a.m. Delegation Arrives at Des Moines International Airport.

11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Des Moines, Luncheon hosted by Principal Financial Group, Principal Financial Group, Corporate 4, 600 7^th Street.

2:45 – 3:45 p.m. Marshalltown, Tour Fakespace Systems Technology Center.

5:15 – 6:15 p.m. Cedar Falls, Reception at the University of Northern Iowa, Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.

6:45 – 8:00 p.m. Cedar Falls, Dinner hosted by the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance, PIPAC Center on the Lake, 1521 Technology Parkway.

7:00 – 7:45 a.m. Waterloo, Breakfast hosted by John Deere Waterloo Works, 3500 East Donald Street

8:00 – 9:30 a.m. Waterloo, Tour John Deere Waterloo Works, 3500 East Donald Street

10:45 a.m. – 12 noon Charles City, Tour Fort Dodge Animal Health, 2000 Rockford Road

1:00 – 2:15 p.m. Waverly, Luncheon hosted by Wartburg College, Knights Ballroom, 2^nd Floor, 100 Wartburg Boulevard.

2:45 – 4:00 p.m. Denver, Tour Schumacher Elevator Company, One Schumacher Way.

6:15 – 8:30 p.m. Dubuque, Reception and dinner hosted by the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, Grand River Center, 500 Bell Street

8:15 – 10:00 a.m. Dubuque, Breakfast and Tour at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, 350 East 3^rd Street.

11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Cedar Rapids, Luncheon hosted by the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and Rockwell Collins, Crowne Plaza Hotel, The Ballroom, 350 1^st Avenue, NE.

2:30 – 4:00 p.m. Amana, Walking tour of Amana Historical Village.

4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Amana, Tour Amana Refrigeration Plant, 2800 220^th Trail

7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Iowa City, Dinner Hosted by the University of Iowa and the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, Iowa Memorial Union, River Room Cafeteria, Sunporch and Main Lodge.

8:00 – 9:30 a.m. Cedar Rapids, Tour Rockwell Collins, 400 Collins Road, NE.

10:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Williamsburg, Tour and lunch at Holdens Foundation Seeds, 503 South Maplewood Avenue.

2:15 – 3:15 p.m. Grinnell, Tour Natural Products, Inc., 2211 6^th Avenue.

4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Prairie City, Tour Roorda Family Farm, 10076 West 93^rd Street South

7:00 – 9:00 p.m. West Des Moines, Dinner hosted by the Des Moines Area Community College and the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Des Moines Area Community College West Campus, 5959 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines.

7:45 – 9:00 a.m. Breakfast hosted by World Food Prize, Des Moines Marriott, The Iowa Ballroom, 700 Grand Avenue

9:30 – 10:45 a.m. Tour EFCO Corporation, 1800 NE Broadway

11:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Iowa State Fair, Tour

1:00 – 2:15 p.m. Iowa State Fair, Luncheon hosted by the Iowa Turkey Federation, Iowa State Fairgrounds, Farm Bureau Shelter

3:00 p.m. Delegation Departs Des Moines International Airport

Afghanistan

Argentina

Armenia

Australia

Austria

Azerbaijan

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Belgium

Brazil

Brunei Darussalam

Cambodia

Canada

Central African Republic

Chile

Colombia

Congo, Dem. Rep. of

Costa Rica

Cyprus

Djibouti

East Timor

Egypt

European Commission

France

Germany

Ghana

Guatemala

Guyana

Hong Kong

Hungary

India

Israel

Japan

Jordan

Korea

Latvia

Lesotho

Liberia

Malawi

Malaysia

Mali

Malta

Marshall Islands

Mexico

Mongolia

Nepal

Netherlands

New Zealand

Nicaragua

Nigeria

Panama

Papua New Guinea

Peru

Poland

Romania

Russia

Saint Vincent & the Grenadines

Serbia & Montenegro

Singapore

Slovak Republic

Slovenia

Solomon Islands

South Africa

Sri Lanka

Switzerland

Taiwan

Tanzania

Thailand

Tunisia

United Kingdom

Uruguay

Vietnam

Yemen

Zambia