RLCB: Passionate Crowd

The first tour stop is over and was a success!  The day started with pouring rain, but it didn’t dampen any enthusiasm: RLCB simply moved everything inside.  The bus transporting us to the stop had a small snafu right before Six Forks Road on the Beltline when we suddenly smelled burning rubber and discovered that a tire had blown.  We carefully made our way to RLCB thanks to our expert driver.  Oh well. 
We chalked it up to being part of the adventure!

RLCB was a perfect first stop to the tour thanks to the enthusiastic crowd.  It was a mix of university officials including Dr. Zuiches, Chancellor Woodson, Dr. Martin-Vega, RLCB employees, local legislators such as Jennifer Weiss, community college officials and of course, area manufacturers.  About 10 manufacturers presented their items, ranging from GSK,  Biomerieaux, NovoNordisk, Optimum Lighting, Aviation Brewing Company, Tierra Designs and products ranging from insulin, children’s clothes, firearms, fishing gear and military gear.  The manufacturers spoke passionately about their pride in making goods in NC and the need to support and advocate for manufacturing. 

IESers holding umbrellas escorted visitors to the trailer holding the Made in NC goods and as the bus pulled out to head to the next stop, visitors were still lined up.

One stop down, 11 more to go!