|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|||
 |
 |
|
Welcome by Sandy Baruah Helping States Encourage Exporting Building Businesses on the Border Trade Adjustment Assistance: Helping Firms Compete in the Global Economy World Trade Centers: Gateways to the Global Marketplace The U.S. – Mexico Border: Integrated Economies A Sea Change in Ocean Shipping Intermodal Opportunities in Appalachia America’s Dependence on Flight-by-Night Operators Making Charlotte an International City  Subscribe
About Economic Development America
|
World Trade Centers: Gateways to the Global Marketplaceby Guy Tozzoli, President, World Trade, Centers Association
Then he began working with the staff of World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara (WTCBN), which was able to find a familyowned business in Mexico that turned out to be a perfect partner. Noting that it would have cost him $50,000 to hire a multilingual industry expert to do this work, Smith called the $80,000 first order that came out of the partnership a good return on his investment as a member of WTCBN. “WTCBN got to know our stuff, our people – that helps. They’re an extension of our sales force,” said Smith. WTCBN is one of 58 World Trade Centers (WTCs) in the United States – and one of 282 worldwide – that provides new and veteran world traders alike with information, facilities and services to succeed in the increasingly competitive global business world.Working under guidelines established by the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), headquartered in New York,WTCs accomplish their goals in various ways. By providing office space for a wide range of traderelated government and business entities, they create a concentration of international business activity that benefits tenants as well as business visitors.WTCs also organize trade seminars, missions and exhibitions, and provide trade information and market research, club and meeting space, business services and more. Following are examples of outstanding practices provided by several WTCs in the United States and some of the businesses they have assisted.
Global Equipment and Machinery Sales, Inc. (Global), a member of the WTC of Greater Philadelphia, is an international supplier of used processing machinery for the pulp, paper and converting industries. Global buys and sells anything from single machines up to complete operating mills for the production of paper. Its sales force generates $5-10 million of revenue annually, with 60 percent coming from outside the United States. Since 2002, Global has used many services of the WTC of Greater Philadelphia to get its message out.When its salesmen travel overseas, they frequently call on local WTCs that can help them expedite the sales process. Aided by events like Brazil’s annual trade show for the pulp and paper industries – which Global attended with the assistance of the WTC of Greater Philadelphia – the company has greatly expanded its scope, recently leveraging the contacts made at the trade show into a million-dollar equipment sale. In addition, the WTC of Greater Philadelphia represented Global in business meetings with potential customers at the 2005 WTCA meeting in Mumbai, India. In its three years of operation, the WTC of Greater Philadelphia has hosted more than 100 seminars, conferences and networking programs that attracted about 5,000 participants, making it one of the most productive economic development organizations in the region. WTCs provide effective information services by:
|
 |
