December 2016 eNews and Year in Review
Message from WCIT President Lori Otto Punke

WCIT members and partners:

I am honored to join WCIT as president. This organization has an amazing track record of helping to advance international competitiveness for Washington state employers and workers, and I look forward to helping continue this vital work.
 
2016 was, to say the least, an unusual year for trade. On the political side, historical alignments on trade fell away when both major party nominees called into question past trade agreements, as well as ongoing negotiations. This change is profound - with implications on international competitiveness, security, and US leadership. There is a real concern not only that we won't move existing negotiations forward, but that we'll backtrack on past agreements. 
 
What's also clear is that, at a national level, our old messages aren't working. The 2016 election demonstrated that we need to rethink not only how we talk about trade, but also rebuild the coalitions that have historically come together to support trade.   
 
While the national conversation has been challenging, Washington state continues to show the path forward.  Rather than bipartisan opposition to trade, we actually have strong bipartisan support for trade. Part of our success reflects the success of our state - and the coalition of agriculture, high-end manufacturing, technology and service exporters, retailers, transportation, and others who have come together to support smart trade policy. And of course, part of that reflects the work of WCIT - all of you - and the incredible effort you have made over the years to maintain and grow support for trade.
 
The coalition you have built will be more important than ever this year. And I'm looking forward to working with you in 2017 to keep building.
Date Change for Washington Trade Conference - Save the Date for March 13, 2017!

WCIT has shifted the date of its annual Washington Trade Conference to March 13, 2017. Please save the date, and we'll send out registration information after the first of the year. This year's conference will focus on the outlook for the 2017 trade agenda and will feature discussions of how the presidential and congressional election results will shape the trade agenda in 2017 and going forward in the new administration. 

U.S. Representative Dave Reichert, Chair of the Trade Subcommittee and member of the President's Export Council, will share his insights as one of the nation's strongest trade advocates and trade policy experts.



More speakers, including business leaders, policy experts, and elected officials to be announced soon!

The conference is a great chance to mingle with 300 Washington business and community leaders who care about trade, learn about top issues in international trade policy, and discover ways to get involved in advocacy efforts. We hope to see you there!

WCIT 2016 Year in Review



In 2016 WCIT used a host of new tactics to boost widespread support of our trade policy priorities, such as producing videos, running digital and social media ad campaigns, conducting polls and releasing economic impact studies. These efforts - combined with our traditional events, policy communication and outreach to media, stakeholders and elected officials - have strengthened our position as a thought leader on trade policy and enabled us to reach broader audiences with our message. Here are some snapshots of our accomplishments:

At a glance:
  • Quoted or mentioned in 84 news articles, TV or radio stories, including King 5, KIRO, Seattle Times, Washington Post, Politico, US News & World Report,and papers across Washington state
  • Released 6 videos telling the story of why trade is critical to Washington state that have been viewed nearly 1,400 times
  • Sent 414 letters via WCIT's web advocacy platform from 138 citizens to the Washington congressional delegation in support of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
  • Reached 2,232 Twitter followers with a 1268%increase in monthly impressions and 175% increase in engagement rate
  • Organized 6 roundtables and company tours with members of the Washington congressional delegation and 6 trade policy events
  • Wrote and placed 9 op-eds and letters to the editor in papers across the state
  • Got 74 Washington companies to sign on to a letter in support of TPP
  • Led 26 WCIT members on the WCIT D.C. Fly-In to meet with the Washington congressional delegation
Communication:
     Op-eds and Letters to the Editor Placed:
Sampling of WCIT Quotes and Mentions in Print, TV, or Radio Stories:
    Other Communication Achievements:

Norfil Interview
 
Selected Policy Achievements:
Programs:



Selected WCIT Events:
  • Held a reception to celebrate reauthorization of the EXIM Bank with the Washington congressional delegation, Governor Inslee, and EXIM Bank Chairman Fred Hochberg at Hilliard's Beer
  • Held the annual WCIT Summer Luncheon with U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and over 200 attendees
  • Hosted the first annual Keep Trade Moving Freight Mobility Luncheon with BNSF Railway
Sampling of WCIT Presentations:
  • Presented on trade priorities at events and organizations across Washington state, ranging from the Hay Expo in theTri-Cities, National Corn Growers Association annual meeting, Yakima Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Pasco Chamber of Commerce luncheon, and many more!
WCIT in the News

WCIT Members
Emerald
 Members
The Boeing Company
Microsoft Corporation
Port of Seattle
Port of Tacoma

Platinum Members
Port of Vancouver 
Starbucks Coffee Company UPS
 
Gold Members
Association of Washington Business
BNSF
Darigold
Eli Lilly & Company
Keep Washington Competitive
Nike
Northwest Horticultural Council
Perkins Coie LP
Port of Everett
Washington State Potato Commission
Westwood Shipping Lines
 
Silver Members
American Seafoods
Brooks Running
Clark Nuber
Community Attributes, Inc.
Columbia Machine
Costco
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Eddie Bauer
Foster Pepper PLLC
GM Nameplate
Harris Moure
Highline College
James Farrell and Company
Key Bank
K & L Gates LLP
Nordstrom
Pacific Lumber and Shipping
PhRMA
Port of Longview
Russell Investments
SanMar
Snohomish County Council
SSA Marine
Union Pacific Railroad
Washington Association of Wheat Growers
Washington Farm Bureau
Washington Grain Commission
Washington Trust Bank
Waterstone Brands Inc.
Wells Fargo Global Banking

Bronze Members
Anderson Hay & Grain
At Sea Processors
Basta Boatlifts
Brown & Haley
Chaves Strategies
Consulate General of Canada
Cocker Fennessey
Desh International Law
Edelman
FM Legal Group PS
Freezer Longline Coalition
GBC International Bank
Greater Spokane Incorporated
Hilleberg the Tentmaker
JP Morgan Chase
MacMillan-Piper
Manhasset Music Stands
Marsh USA Inc
Monument Policy Group
North Seattle College
North Star Aerospace
Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center
OHL International
Pacific Merchant Shipping Association
Pacific Valley Foods
PATH
Port of Grays Harbor
Port of Skagit
REI
Shoreline Community College
SightLife
Trident Seafoods Corporation
UK Government Office, Seattle
United States Chamber of Commerce
UW Global Business Center
Verus Investments
Visit Seattle
Washington Mint Growers Association
Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA)
Washington State University
Washington Roundtable
 
Associate Members
Columbia River Economic Development Council
Economic Alliance Snohomish County
Global Washington
Marine Exchange of Puget Sound
Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance
Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition
Pacific Northwest Waterways Association
Washington State Department of Commerce
Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association
Washington Public Ports Association
World Trade Center Seattle