The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia Launches “Selling to the World” Program for Small, Minority- & Women-Owned Business Enterprises
Growing a Vibrant, Inclusive and Connected Economy for Greater Philadelphia
With grant funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) is pleased to announce Selling to the World: Growing a Vibrant, Inclusive and Connected Economy for Greater Philadelphia, an initiative that aims to provide small-to-medium minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) with the tools and knowledge they need to expand internationally. This transformative public-private sector initiative will generate family-sustaining jobs, fueling economic in the Greater Philadelphia region.
The World Bank estimates that 600 million jobs will be needed by 2030 to absorb the growing global workforce, which makes small business development a high priority for many governments around the world. Strengthening export opportunities for the region’s small businesses will enable them to become more resilient and open the doors to global trade to traditionally underserved communities.
“The turbulence of the past two years has had a significant economic impact on small businesses, including MWBEs,” says WTCGP President, Linda M. Conlin. “A global growth strategy for small businesses will be key to building a long-term, sustainable recovery for the Greater Philadelphia Region and our local communities.”
Selling to the World focuses on increasing opportunities for both new-to-export companies and those with existing export experience, providing them with the knowledge and the tools they need to transact business in foreign markets. It will introduce a first-of-its-kind global supplier diversity program, a groundbreaking strategy that will empower MWBEs to be able to tap into the global supply chains of international corporations. This program is carefully crafted to include Global Supplier Diversity Directors from Fortune 500 companies and business leaders as mentors.
WTCGP will identify and work with important public and private sector partners to generate a pipeline of qualified companies to participate in the program, including the area’s leading certification organizations such as the Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council (EMSDC) and the Women’s Business Enterprise Council (WBENC), as well as diversity directors from leading area corporations.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 18 percent of US businesses are minority-owned (about 1 million businesses). Nearly 20 percent (1.1 million) are women-owned. Many of these companies apply to be certified as minority- or women-owned businesses. This designation offers numerous benefits; however, many small businesses don't know how to leverage their certification to increase their sales overseas.
“The Selling to the World initiative will enhance the business participants’ ability to understand the export fundamentals and how to access foreign markets through a series of workshops and training,” says Ron Drozd, WTCGP Director, Export Programs and Services. “When armed with knowledge, resources and guidance, these companies can tap into new revenue streams increasing their long-term competitiveness.”
With public-private sector support, WTCGP will be able to service more small business exporters, including MWBEs, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to trade and tap into the global supply chains of corporations, building a pathway to a vibrant, inclusive and connected regional economy.
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About the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia: The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) is a nonprofit, membership-based organization that accelerates global business growth for companies in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. Since 2002, WTCGP has served as a catalyst for regional economic growth and job creation, helping area companies generate over $2.2B in incremental export sales in the region. WTCGP is a member of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA). Visit wtcphila.org.
About the World Trade Centers Association: The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) is a network of more than 320 highly-connected, mutually-supportive businesses and organizations in nearly 100 countries. As the owner of the “World Trade Center” and “WTC” trademarks, the WTCA licenses exclusive rights to these brands for Members Through a robust portfolio of events, programming and resources that it offers its Members, the goal of the WTCA is to help local economies thrive by encouraging and facilitating trade and investment across the globe through Member engagement. To learn more visit www.wtca.org.
Contact:
Susan McDonald
Office Manager and Membership Coordinator
[email protected]
215-586-4249