CHESTERTON | An international networking opportunity that will include business professionals and students from around the world is coming to Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton.

The Northwest Indiana World Trade Council has scheduled its annual gala, An International Evening, for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the country club, 1001 Sand Creek Drive.

The event also will feature food, wine and a brief award ceremony.

The cost is $50 with a reservation and $60 at the door. RSVP by calling (219) 670-3018 or e-mail nwiwtc@hotmail.com.

This year's keynote speaker is Gerry Dick, host of "Inside INdiana Business," Indiana's only statewide business television program, and president of Grow Indiana Media Ventures.

In June 2000, Dick, a broadcast news veteran, and technology entrepreneur Scott Jones formed Grow Indiana Media Ventures, a media company focused on creating and delivering Indiana business and technology news and information through multiple media sources.

Currently, the company's primary properties include "Inside INdiana Business," which can be found at www.InsideIndianaBusiness.com. The Web site features real-time Indiana business and technology news and streaming video from the television program; a daily syndicated radio program; and a business e-newsletter distributed each business day.

Prior to forming the company, Dick was senior vice president of the Indianapolis Economic Development Corp., where he was responsible for managerial and operational initiatives.

His broadcast news background includes 14 years as a principal reporter and field anchor at ABC station WRTV in Indianapolis, where he covered business and economic development-related stories and issues facing communities throughout Indiana and neighboring states. He has also held reporter and anchor positions at television stations in Fort Wayne and Terre Haute.

Dick was born and raised in the Vermillion County community of Clinton and is a graduate of Indiana State University. He also is a vice president at the Indiana Sports Corp. and is a member of the board of directors at Junior Achievement of Central Indiana, the Better Business Bureau of Central Indiana and the Dean's Advisory Council at the Indiana University School of Informatics.

-- The Times