World Trade Centers: Gateways to the Global Marketplace (cont.)

Networking: The New Orleans World Trade Center

A number of WTCs operate clubs as a means of helping their members get to know one another better and to develop a client base for other WTC programs.

The club at the New Orleans WTC is the oldest and one of the most prominent. Located on the 30th floor of the WTC building, it offers a panoramic view of the city, the port and the Mississippi River. Known as the Plimsoll Club, it is the region’s premier social and business venue. From the beginning, the club’s connection to international trade has enabled it to play a central role in New Orleans’ business and political life. Unlike other clubs in the city, it hosts ongoing seminars, programs, luncheons and events on international trade and world affairs.Many official functions take place at the club, including receptions for U.S. and foreign dignitaries, giving it a special cachet in the community.

Assisting trade missions:

The South Carolina World Trade Center Charleston The South Carolina WTC Charleston stands out in the services it provides to inbound selling missions. Imports as a jobs generator is an opportunity that is often overlooked by groups that focus on expanding U.S. exports. In today’s global manufacturing environment, both the state’s major manufacturers (such as BMW,Michelin, Fuji and Honda) and its smaller companies need to access components from anywhere in the world, and the WTC is the only organization in South Carolina that is geared to help them.

For example, JBE, Inc. of Hartsville provides sub-assembly, warehousing, inventory management and sorting services. The company attended one of the WTC’s one-and-a-halfday World Trade Certificate programs that focuses on the nine steps of importing and exporting. Learning of the South Carolina WTC’s connection to the global network of trade centers, JBE used the WTC in Mumbai to confirm the legitimacy of a prospective trading partner in India. Later, company officials traveled to India and received assistance from WTC Mumbai with visas and business research. The relationship between JBE and the Indian company is growing and a business venture is imminent.

During 2005, the South Carolina WTC was involved in either developing or assisting a total of 111 projects, including the establishment of 20 new trading companies. The strategies used by South Carolina WTC Charleston and other WTCs to provide services to trade missions include:

Emphasizing the education of clients to understand all essential aspects of exporting and importing;
Being available to assist any company, no matter how small, that is interested in entering the international business arena;
Screening prospective business partners to promote successful meetings;
Assigning case managers who follow up regularly with clients to make sure they have all the information and assistance they need;
Using the WTC global network fully to support local clients;
Working closely with state, federal and other organizations where appropriate; and
Conducting trade missions in conjunction with trade fairs to expand the mission’s business opportunities.

The San Diego World Trade Center

A member of the San Diego WTC, Palomar Technologies is the premier supplier of high-precision, microelectronic assembly equipment in the world.“Much of our company’s future growth is tied to trade with companies that manufacture in the Pacific Rim,” says Palomar president Bruce W. Hueners. “While we import manufactured products from southeast Asia, customers from Singapore to Seoul and from Shanghai to Delhi visit our factory here in San Diego.”

The San Diego WTC has helped Palomar Technologies by providing educational programs that address relevant topics, such as its periodic “China Economic Update and Outlook,” and networking sessions with the WTC’s diverse board of directors and members. In addition, a WTC-led trade mission to China’s Hi-Tech Trade Fair in Shenzhen resulted in more than $1 million in sales for his company.

« Page 1 | Page 3 »