Record Number of Appointments Held During Pennsylvania International Week
 Over 400 one-on-one appointments took place this year at the Hyatt at the Bellevue and Ellis Preserve on September 22 and 23. Representatives from more than 100 Pennsylvania companies were able to meet with the 20 Pennsylvania Authorized Trade Representatives (ATRs) representing markets around the world.
The Authorized Trade Representatives advised participating companies of business  opportunities in their respective international market. They also provided insight on legal requirements, cultural barriers, market entry strategies, and special industry considerations. These two days of meetings are part of Pennsylvania International Week hosted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). The number of meetings and participating companies continues to grow each year and we would like to thank the DCED staff, ATRs and company participants who helped to make the event a success.
See more photos from the event on our website.
Port Expert Shares Trends in Global Shipping at Annual State of the Port Address and Luncheon
 We are pleased to announce that Paul Bingham, economic practice leader for transportation and infrastructure firm, Wilbur Smith Associates, will provide the keynote address at our annual State of the Port Address and Luncheon. Presented this year in partnership with the World Trade Association of Philadelphia, State of the Port will take place at the Independence Seaport Museum on November 4, 2011, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Mr. Bingham manages his firm’s economic team analyzing the economic impacts, financial feasibility, and the costs and benefits of transportation policy and infrastructure developments. He has 27 years of experience with consulting firms analyzing and forecasting international trade and freight transportation markets for public and private sector clients.
 The implications for the region’s ports of changing trade patterns and evolving global economic trends will be covered in this year’s keynote address. Two years into recovery from the worldwide Great Recession, the U.S. and other developed economies are still very weak, while some emerging market economies are growing strongly. This uneven global growth path has implications for the region’s ports and their partners and competitors. This dynamic environment will be analyzed for the opportunities for and threats to the region.
In addition to Mr. Bingham’s presentation, attendees will hear from Dennis Rochford, president of the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay. Mr. Rochford will provide an update and overview on the Greater Philadelphia region ports, and attendees will gain a better understanding of how the planned port changes will affect their business growth.
Sponsorship opportunities are available. See our sponsorship form for complete details.
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk Meets with Local Companies
 Ambassador Ron Kirk, the United States Trade Representative and Member of President Obama’s Cabinet, visited the Philadelphia region on Friday, September 30. After visiting local companies and meeting with Mayor Michael Nutter, Ambassador Kirk joined local companies for a roundtable discussion at City Hall. Ambassador Kirk focused on the importance of passing the free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Colombia, which are currently awaiting congressional approval.
A number of small- and medium-sized companies were able to attend the roundtable, including four World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia members: Emerson Resources, Gahagan & Bryant Associates, LifeSensors, and Wallquest. Attendees seized this opportunity to discuss the importance of these trade agreements as they relate to regional economic growth.
Companies also took the opportunity to express their concerns regarding economic recovery, growing needs for an increasingly educated workforce and exposure to intellectual property loss when working in foreign countries. Ambassador Kirk agreed with these concerns, pointing out an estimated $50 B increase to U.S. GDP which would result from increased IP protection in China for the software industry alone.
 While stressing the importance of bilateral free trade agreements, Ambassador Kirk discussed the gathering momentum surrounding negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a trade agreement between the U.S. and eight other Asian and Pacific countries. The TPP includes innovative concepts including increased regulatory cooperation between TPP member states which would allow companies to operate more seamlessly across the TPP member countries. Having successfully completed its seventh round of negotiations (held in Chicago this year), Ambassador Kirk assured the audience that the TPP and increasing U.S. competitiveness are priorities for the Obama Administration.
New Drexel Co-Ops Hired for Fall and Winter
 Katie Ikonomou, a junior at Drexel University majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and a Minor in Fine Art, joins the WTCGP for her third co-op. She previously interned at Cashman and Associates as a public relations and special events assistant and the College of Engineering at Drexel University as a marketing assistant. She is originally from Australia, has lived in Melbourne, Seattle, Nashville, Toronto, and Philadelphia, and has traveled in Europe, Australia, and the United States. She is interested in advertising, photography, design, branding, and international business and hopes to explore Asia, South America, and more of Australia after graduation.
 Paulina Joya joins the WTC team for her second co-op position. Paulina is a pre-junior at Drexel University majoring in Business Administration with a dual concentration in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. She was born and raised in Honduras, and is proficient in both English and Spanish and plans to study Portuguese. Paulina is also an active member of LUC (Latinos for a United Campus) and Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society. Moreover, Paulina has been involved with non-profit organizations such as Operation Smile where she served as Vice-President throughout her High School years. Paulina hopes to study abroad in London or Madrid next summer and ultimately finish her last co-op experience in Latin America.
Philadelphia International Showcase Attracts Large International Crowd
 On September 22, the WTCGP hosted its annual Philadelphia International Showcase reception on the 19th floor of the Hyatt at the Bellevue. Over 160 international business leaders and government officials attended the reception. Welcoming remarks were made by WTCGP president Linda Mysliwy Conlin and Deputy Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Wilfred Muskens. State Senator Mike Brubaker provided the keynote address where he highlighted the contribution of international trade to the region’s economy and stressed the importance of traveling to the marketplace and building relationships.
The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia would like to express its sincere gratitude to the sponsors of this event and all of its attendees for making the 2011 Showcase such a great success!
Schramm Inc., Congratulations to recipient of the Manufacturer of the Year award for The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce’s 2012 Excellence Awards. Read full article.
Get your news here! If you are a WTCGP member and you would like us to feature your company news or a recent accomplishment in our newsletter, please submit your news item to info@wtcphila.org or add us to your press/news distribution list.
Upcoming Events
From Entrepreneur to Exporter
Accelerating the Growth of Technology, Life Science and Environmental Companies
October 18, 2011
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Quorum at the University City Science Center
3711 Market Street, 8th Floor
Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $35 WTCGP members | $45 Non-members
If you’re not thinking “big” for your small business, you’re missing out on lucrative opportunities overseas. Environmental, clean technology, life science, biotech and other technology companies have significant opportunities to expand in growing global markets. Does it sound impossible? Well, it’s not. Small businesses make up 97 percent of all exporters. During this seminar you will learn how to take the first step into global markets by developing a targeted market entry strategy, learning how to comply with U.S. and foreign regulations, and accessing available funding and other technical support for your business. You will discover how to gain access to free or low-cost export counseling and hear from experienced exporters who started out small, just like you.
Expert speakers include:
- Accessing Capital
Christopher Laing, Ph.D.,Vice President, Science and Technology, University City Science Center
- Making it into the Global Marketplace: Capital, Knowledge and Networks
Anthony Green, Ph.D., Vice President of Technology, Commercialization, Life Sciences, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania
- Developing a Successful Market Entry Strategy – Panel
Lorraine Marchand, Co-Director, Triana Group
Baruch Ben Dor, Ph.D., President and CEO, InfraScan Inc.
- Protecting your Intellectual Property & Structuring Agreements
Martin Belasario, Esq., Partner, Panitch Schwarze Belasario & Nadel, LLP
Anastasius (Tassos) Efstratiades, Partner, Obermayer, Rebman, Maxwell, & Hippel, LLP
Opportunity in Canada: Athabasca Oil Sands Region
October 25, 2011
8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Presentation & Luncheon
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings
Meade Room
Union League
140 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $75 (includes continental breakfast & lunch)
The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia and the Consulate of Canada in Philadelphia will host a seminar and luncheon to discuss opportunities in the development of Canada’s Athabasca oil sands region.
Canada sends more than 99 percent of its oil exports to the United States. Half of the crude oil imported into the country is from the oil sands. As the top supplier of oil to the U.S., Canada will be a major player in the energy and economic transformation in the years to come. Join us for a discussion on how oil sands development stands to contrubute U.S. energy security and how manufacturing links and pipeline expansions will support thousands of U.S. jobs for construction workers, trade people, engineers, and a variety of manufacturers. The seminar will also review how industry is now unlocking the potential of the oil sands in a way that balances the economic realities with environmental concerns using innovation and technology.
Expert topics and speakers:
- Overview of Opportunities in Canada’s Athabasca Oil Sands Region
Don Thompson, Past President (Retired), Oil Sands Developers Group
- Doing Business in the Oil Sands Region and Lessons Learned
Paul Williams, Vice President, Pathfinder, LLC
- Air Quality & Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Ralph Morris, Managing Principal, ENVIRON Corporation
- Bonds and Bank Guarantees
Charles Dugan, Vice President, TD Bank N.A.
- Foreign Exchange: Incoming and Outgoing Payments with a Brief Overview of the Canadian Dollar
Maria Aldrete, Vice President and Foreign Exchange Team Leader, TD Bank N.A.
Following the seminar and luncheon, companies will have the opportunity to schedule one-on-one meetings with oil sands expert Don Thompson and speak more specifically about business opportunities in Canada’s Athabasca oil sands region. To schedule a one-on-one meeting contact Erin McNichol at emcnichol@wtcphila.org
State of the Port Address & Luncheon
A new location!
November 4, 2011
Independence Seaport Museum
Penn's Landing
211 South Columbus Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $75 per person (includes lunch)
If you are involved in international trade, whether you export or import, your business depends on one of the Greater Philadelphia region's greatest assets: its infrastructure. With expanding port and rail facilities on the horizon, the Greater Philadelphia region is poised for tremendous growth along the Delaware River – a thriving gateway for international trade!
The State of the Port Address and Luncheon is your opportunity to gather with the local port community and learn of the latest global and regional port developments affecting your business growth.
Expert speakers include:
- Paul Bingham, Economics Practice Leader, Wilbur Smith Associates
- Dennis Rochford, President, Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River
Sponsorship opportunities are available. See our sponsorship form for complete details.
If you are interested in learning more or attending a trade mission or trade show, contact your International Trade Specialist. |
