Governor Rendell and Schramm Inc. Honored at the 2010 WTC Day Dinner Celebration

A record-breaking crowd of nearly 400 attended the WTCGP’s eighth annual WTC Day Dinner celebration on May 20 at the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue. This annual signature event is a celebration of the shared mission of all world trade centers to promote peace and stability through trade, and honors those individuals and companies that exemplify that ideal.

The event honored Governor Ed Rendell for his commitment to the promotion of international trade as an engine of economic growth in the region. Under his tenure as governor, Pennsylvania’s exports have increased from an annual level of $15.7 billion in 2002 to $28.7 billion in 2009 and cumulatively have totaled nearly $176 billion. The success of Pennsylvania companies in global markets is due in no small measure to the Rendell administration’s TradePA initiative that invests in services to support expansion into foreign markets. The Commonwealth has trade representation through 24 offices around the world, supported by a network of ten regional export network offices and the state’s Office for International Business Development.

Tossing aside his prepared remarks, Governor Rendell charmed the gathering with his recollections of his service as governor, his relationship with John Estey (Event Chairman and Mayor Rendell’s former Chief of Staff) and his perspective on trade as a driver of economic prosperity. The WTCGP presented Governor Rendell with its Global Business Leadership Award for his vision and support of the WTCGP’s mission of helping the region’s companies succeed in global markets.

Schramm Inc. was honored as Member Company of the Year, for both their support of the WTCGP and as recognition of their successes in penetrating overseas markets. Schramm, a world leader in the hydraulic drill industry, is a 100 year old Chester company that supplies mobile hydraulic rotary drills to companies in the mining, energy and water sectors. Today, Schramm derives 70 percent of its revenues from international sales and has significant market positions in China, Chile, Brazil, Australia, Russia and South Africa.

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WTCGP Event in Review

Haiti Reconstruction Forum

The WTCGP, in partnership with the Philadelphia U.S. Export Assistance Center, hosted a seminar on Monday, June 7 at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business for companies interested in long-term reconstruction opportunities in Haiti. Philadelphia was one of four cities selected for this national initiative organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce in support of the Administration’s program to assist in rebuilding Haiti. Similar events took place in Washington, D.C. (Secretary Locke launched the effort.), New York, and Miami.

In addition to remarks by local and state government leaders and officials of the Haitian government, there were panel presentations by representatives from leading U.S. and international organizations on government procurement opportunities and investment support offered by these agencies. The speakers covered a variety of topics including: perspectives on doing business in Haiti, navigation of the government procurement process and tools for fostering investment opportunities.

Featured speakers included:

• Governor Edward G. Rendell
• Mayor Michael Nutter Congressman Chaka Fattah Rick Wade,
• Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Department of Commerce Jean
• Sébastien Riché, Vice Consul, Haitian Consulate in New York
• Representatives from various bilateral agencies such as IADB, OPIC, USAID, ITA and USTDA

Participants in the seminar gained an understanding of the current realities and business needs in Haiti, insights into contract bidding and the procurement process, and important information on investment financing and political risk insurance. Perhaps the most important take-away from the event was the related experiences of area companies already involved in reconstruction efforts, including the architectural firm H2L2. Greater Philadelphia area companies have an opportunity to assist in reconstruction efforts by bidding on projects supported by the participating development agencies.

Partner News

Invest in America Visits Philadelphia

Emphasizes the Importance of Foreign Direct Investment to the Local, State, and National Economy

On June 23, International investment specialist, Christopher Clement, visited Philadelphia to speak with local economic developers and the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) about the importance of foreign direct investment (FDI) to the U.S. economy and, more importantly, how his office, Invest in America, can assist economic development organizations (EDOs) to attract greater FDI flows into their communities. Invest in America, part of the International Trade Administration’s U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service (USFCS) at the U.S. Department of Commerce, supports foreign investors as they pursue opportunities in this country. Invest in America is the primary U.S. government mechanism coordinating inward investment promotion. Its efforts are strictly geographically neutral. The program focuses on outreach to foreign governments and investors, support for state and local governments’ investment promotion efforts, and addressing investors’ concerns by serving as an ombudsman in Washington for the international investment community. As part of USFCS, Invest in America has a network of investment and trade professionals in almost 80 countries around the world. Besides Invest in America, EDOs and companies eager to attract more FDI to Philadelphia and its surrounding counties are well-served by such organizations as the WTCGP and Select Greater Philadelphia.

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Federal Register Notice Seeking Input on National Export Initiative (NEI)

Do you have ideas for improving government programs to make it easier to export? Have you encountered challenges in exporting? If so, we want to hear from you. The Administration is embarking on a five-year National Export Initiative (NEI) to double U.S. exports. As the Federal government puts together a plan for implementing the NEI, we are looking for your insights and input. That is why the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC) is soliciting comments from June 30 to July 26 through a Federal Register notice.

Specifically, we are interested in input from exporters, other private businesses, trade associations, academia, non-governmental organizations, and other interested parties regarding:

• identification of Federal government programs or regulations that impede the ability of U.S. companies to export;
• effective foreign trade promotion programs and activities that could inform U.S. Federal government program development;
• identification of the most (or least) effective Federal government programs that support U.S. exports, including specific experiences with such Federal government programs;
• steps that the Federal government could take to improve its programs to support U.S. exports; and
• more generally, how the Federal government could better help U.S. businesses export.

Your input will help the TPCC agencies develop the NEI plan called for by the President in Executive Order 13534. If you are an exporter, business interested in exporting, or care about helping double exports over the next five years, please take a few minutes before the July 26, 2010 deadline to submit comments in response to the NEI Federal Register notice. We’re waiting to hear from you, and thank you in advance for your help.

WTCGP Staff Announcement                 

New Marketing and Membership Coordinator

The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia is pleased to announce the addition of Marissa Collen as Marketing and Membership Coordinator. She is a 2007 graduate of Northeastern University in Boston with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications Studies.

Marissa most recently served as an Assistant Public Information Officer at the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance in Albany. Her professional experience includes extensive work in marketing, web site development, and project management.

She is looking forward to developing relationships with WTCGP members and will be using her marketing and communications background to both increase awareness of the organization and to improve value proposition for our members. Welcome Marissa!

Upcoming Events

WTCGP Members Appreciation Reception
July 15, 2010
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing
Philadelphia, PA

All WTCGP members in good standing as of July 17 will receive complimentary admission for two people to this event (additional tickets can be purchased for $50.00)

Members are invited to network with other members, the staff, Board of Directors, and members of the Advisory Council. To RSVP, please email events@wtcphila.org.

India Exchange Network
August, 5 2010
8:30 am - 12:00 pm

Temple University, Center City Campus
1515 Market Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This is the third of five seminars by the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia and Temple University CIBER Fox School of Business, as part of the India Exchange Network for companies doing business with India.

Consider the opportunities presented by the following facts:

• India has a goal to reach 22,000 MW of solar capacity by 2022
• Up to 40% of farm produce is lost to rot due to lacking infrastructure
• India expects to add 309,000 km of newly paved roads to it transit network by 2013
• McKinsey estimates that India will require $1.2 Trillion investments in infrastructure to handle its trend toward urbanization

Our expert speakers include:

• Sandip Shah, PhD, Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Temple University
• Arun Deb, PhD, P.E., DEE, Vice President (Retired), Weston Solutions, Consultant, Water and Wastewater Treatmen
• Umesh Choori, President, Energy Guru

Register now

Upcoming Trade Missions

• October 5-13, 2010, Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia (Education mission)
• November 1-5, 2010, Argentina, Chile & Peru
• January 2-13, 2011, India
• February 14-18, 2011, South Africa  

Upcoming Trade Shows

• July 19-25, 2010, Farnborough International - Farnborough, England (Aerospace)
• September 1-3, 2010, JAIMA 2010 - Tokyo, Japan (Instrumentation)
• September 13-16, 2010, Rio Oil and Gas Expo and Conference, Brazil
• September 14-15, 2010, Health and Technology Congress - Arnhem, Netherlands (Healthcare)
• September 7-10, 2010, China Furniture Show - Shanghai, China (Furniture)
• September 21-25, 2010, HUSUM Wind Energy - Husum, Germany (Environmental)
• October 25-28, 2010, Taiwan International Green Industry Show - Taipei, Taiwan (Environmental)
• November 30 – December 3, 2010, Pollutec – France (Environmental)
  

Start enjoying the benefits of WTCGP membership today.

Become a Member

July 15, 2010 -
WTCGP Members Appreciation Reception

August 5, 2010 -
India Exchange Network

More Events

Enhanced Corporate Members
Citibank

Corporate Members
Genesis Packing Technologies
Pinnacle Products International, Inc.
Schramm, Inc.
STV Incorporated
U-Combination Technology

Small Business Members
Asher & Company, Ltd.
CETRA Language Solutions
Gamajet Cleaning Systems, Inc.
Julian Krinsky Camps and Programs
MTM Linguasoft
Penguin Brands, Inc.
Penn Warehousing & Distribution, Inc.
Rhoads, Inc.
Robbie Conley Architect, LLC
Stolzfus RV's and Marine
Volpe and Koenig, P.C.
Wind-lock Corporation