Some Illinois officials, including Governor Pat Quinn, are scheduled to fly to Brussels, Belgium this week to meet with foreign ambassadors ahead of the upcoming NATO Conference in Chicago.

Quinn said Friday he was asked by Chicago’s NATO Host Committee to fly out this Wednesday to represent Illinois at the NATO Summit Kickoff.

He’s helping the agency open a two week-long exhibition of all things Chicago at the global organization’s headquarters.

“We want to have visitors from those places come here to Illinois, all parts of Illinois. Tourism and hospitality are a major part of our economy,” said Quinn.

A spokeswoman for the host committee says Quinn will be accompanied by representatives from the agency and the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau.

The host committee said it’s paying for Quinn’s trip.

Quinn said he’ll also speak with European business leaders while he’s in Brussels.