Giovanna Cilia-Wheatley of Continental Airlines stands by as the City of Philadelphia's Deputy Director of Commerce, Mjenzi Traylor, picks the winning raffle ticket from the silver bowl, held by WTCGP past intern, Michael Killion, Jr.

City and government officials, representatives of international chambers of commerce and foreign governments, executives from local corporations, all convened “en masse” in Wachovia’s historic main banking lobby on South Broad Street for an evening of powerful networking.

Showcase participants heard brief addresses from people at the forefront of Philadelphia’s business community. Joanna Savvides, President of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, articulated how the WTCGP has brought over 2000 new jobs to the Philadelphia region since its inception four years ago. Hugh C. Long, II , CEO of Wachovia’s MidAtlantic Banking Group, reported on the numerous strengths and overall attractiveness of the Greater Philadelphia region for doing business. Joe Hoeffel, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Deputy Secretary for International Business Development, introduced “World Trade PA”, Governor Rendell's new $15 million initiative to make Pennsylvania's businesses more competitive in the global economy. Finally, Bernie Dagenais, Editor of the Philadelphia Business Journal, announced the Top 25 Foreign Employers in our region. This is the first time such a list has ever been compiled. The World Trade Center conducted the research for this project, surveying and contacting foreign-owned companies in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties in Pennsylvania, and Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties in New Jersey. Additional assistance and information was provided to the WTCGP by the Commonwealth of PA and Select Greater Philadelphia.

Showcase attendees received the complete list two days in advance of its publication on September 29, 2006 in the Philadelphia Business Journal. The WTCGP plans to maintain a page on its website dedicated to this research and will regularly update information on the Top Foreign-Owned Companies here in the Greater Philadelphia area. This should serve as an excellent resource both for the local business community as well as for prospective investors from abroad.

Philadelphia International Showcase was also a precursor to Pennsylvania International Week, which kicked-off the next day at the Union League. Eighteen Pennsylvania Overseas Representatives were present at the event, and company representatives benefited from a unique opportunity to mingle informally with experts who possess valuable insider’s knowledge of diverse international markets.

The crescendo to the evening occurred when the winning raffle ticket was drawn for a pair of roundtrip BusinessFirst® tickets generously donated by Continental Airlines. To Manny Stamatakis, President and CEO of Capital Management Enterprises, we wish you safe travels and “Bon Voyage!”

Philadelphia International Showcase sparked great interest and broad support from the community at large. We gratefully acknowledge our Sponsors and Supporting Organizations.

Organizer:
World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia

In Collaboration with:
Select Greater Philadelphia
Philadelphia Business Journal

Sponsors:
Continental Airlines
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
Wachovia Bank, N.A.
Yuengling Brewery

Supporting Organizations:

Chester County Chamber
City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce
German-American Chamber of Commerce
Innovation Philadelphia
International House
International Visitors Council of Philadelphia
Irish American Business Chamber & Network, Inc
Italy-America Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia
Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia
Joint Middle East American Trade Center
Korean American Chamber of Commerce of Philadelphia
Mid-Atlantic - Russia Business Council

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October 12, 2006
5th Annual State of the Port Address and Luncheon

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October 18, 2006

Hong Kong and Fujian: Partners for your China Strategy

October 22-November 2, 2006

WTCGP Trade Mission to Serbia, Romania, Hungary, Turkey and WTCA General Assembly

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