Start enjoying the benefits of WTCGP membership today.

FREE Tickets to WTCGP Events!

Beginning January 2005 new and renewing Ambassador and Corporate members will receive one free admission to both our January 20 Breakfast Around the Region and the February 17 Global Business Strategic Outlook conference on global procurement and global logistics, a $195 value.  Small Business members will receive free admission to the Breakfast and 50% off admission to the February conference.  You must join or renew on or before February 17 in order to be eligible for this special offer. Offer ends February 17.  To learn more about these events, follow the "more" link below.

Become a member at www.wtcphila.org

The Gold Rush is On for Foreign Retailers in China

Thanks to a reduction in restrictions in keeping with its WTO membership, China recently opened the floodgates to foreign retailers. Shackled no more by limitations on the number and locations of stores, Carrefour (France), Wal-Mart (US) and Metro (Germany) are rushing into a market that grew 15% and totaled $628 billion in 2004.

Business Week (1/17/05) reported that Carrefour leads the foreign pack with 240 stores in China, plans for 150 more this year, and $1.623 billion in 2003 sales. But they have a ways to go to catch Shanghai Bailan ($5.860 billion), Dalian Dashang ($2.196 billion) and Gome ($2.149 billion), the top Chinese retailers

This boom reflects a sea change in the Chinese market: a growing middle class of 100 million that prefers spacious, convenient stores over “stodgy old state retailers and mom-and-pop shops.” (Business Week, 1/17/05).

In the Chinese market Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, ranks #16 with sales last year of $707 million. On February 18, 2005 the WTCGP will host one-on-one meetings of local member companies with Wal-Mart’s overseas procurement people to explore international opportunities for their products. Contact Victoria Delvizis at 856-969-7826 or vdelvizis@drpa.org for more details and to register.

Upcoming Meetings and Trade Missions

Meetings and trade missions are planned for the first half of 2005.  Locations include: India and the United Kingdom and Ireland.   

 

Please read on for more details.

Marty Schiffman and Joanna Savvides

Recent Honors and Distinctions

We are proud to report that Martin Schiffman, Managing Director of Carl Marks & Co. Inc. and member of the WTCGP Board of Directors, was elected this past fall to the Board of Directors of the World Trade Centers Association. Mr. Schiffman joins a board consisting of twenty-three officers and directors representing World Trade Centers in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Mr. Schiffman is the real estate developer for Philadelphiia's World Trade Center.

We are also pleased to report that Joanna Savvides, President of the WTCGP, was recently recently appointed to the WTCA Inter-Regional Task Force on Trade.  The mission of this task force is to develop and expand trade among WTC regions.  In addition, Joanna Savvides continues to serve on the Tourism, Hospitality and Heritage Committee of the WTCA.

WTCGP Staff Bids Farewell to Two Recent Interns

Hania Qassis	Dan Han

The WTCGP is fortunate to benefit from the talents of many student interns from several of the region’s world-class universities and beyond. The office hosts 3 to 4 students at any given time.

Recently, the WTCGP staff bid farewell to two of its interns.

Chairman
Manuel N. Stamatakis
Capital Management

Treasurer
Bernadine J. Munley, Esq.
Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll

Secretary
Richard Brown, Esq.
Delaware River Port Authority

Renee Amoore
Amoore Health Systems, Inc.

Steven J. Batzer
WBD Investment Group

Walter D'Alessio
Northmarq Capital, Inc.

Paul Drayton, Jr.

James B. Ginty
Right Management Consultants, Inc.

Honorable Marie Lederer
PA State Representative

Thomas A. Leonard, Esq.
Obermayer, Rebmann, Maxwell, Hippel

Meryl Levitz
Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation

John J. Matheussen
Delaware River Port Authority

Constantine Papadakis, Ph.D.
Drexel University

Chuck Pennoni
Pennoni Associates

RoseAnn B. Rosenthal
Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Richard Rueda, Esq.
Logistical Transportation Services, Inc.

Marty Schiffman
Carl Marks & Co., Inc.

Mark S. Schweiker
Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce

Mjenzi K. Traylor
City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce

Herbert Vederman
Office of the Governor
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

President
Joanna Savvides

The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia provides a world-class portfolio of services that enhances international trade growth and leads the Greater Philadelphia region to economic prosperity.