How We're Bringing SME Virtually Around the Globe |
What a year it’s been—full of challenges as well as opportunities. We've heard a lot about the challenges, so let's talk opportunities.
More specifically, with the adoption of a not-so-new technology, nearly all of us, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) included, have opened the door to a host of possibilities. This is especially true for those SME interested in engaging in international business.
Videoconferencing technology allowed us here at the WTC Tacoma to launch a series of virtual events to bring guests from around the globe with hands-on experience in overseas markets to visit with our local members, clients, and guest attendees.
Also, with attendees not having to worry about traffic, we've been able to call attention to our services as well as to Tacoma and the South Sound—a great place to do business—not just to those in the Everett to Olympia corridor, but to more than 700 individuals spread throughout 17 states and 20 countries.
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Perhaps more importantly, participants in these events have become members and clients of our Trade Desk; and, it has become a regular practice on short notice to put them face-to-face in a videoconference with buyers and partners in Asia, Europe, and the America's—sometimes all three continents at the same time!
As we move back into in-person gatherings, beginning with our annual Globe Awards September 30 5-7PM at the Tacoma Youth Marine Center, we will continue to incorporate videoconferencing and other new technologies. This will make for fusion events that allow for the broad reach, but also provide for old-fashioned in-person networking.
I believe that hereafter, face-to-face videoconferencing will remain an incredibly cost-effective, useful tool for SME to build trust and business relationships.
This issue features highlights and provides access to our video-recorded event resources in case you missed or want to refer back to them. Also offered is a peek at what's coming next. We hope you enjoy the issue and allow it to take you virtually around the world!
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NEWS FEATURE: Vietnam Currency: USTR Chooses Engagement over Tariffs on Currency Issue |
Tariffs on Vietnam? There had been serious talk of imposing them over the past several months at the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).
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To what extent the pressure from industry brought about this diplomatic solution, we may never know. We do know, however, that our local businesses, especially manufacturers relying on intermediary parts and components will be better off on account of this negotiated settlement.
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Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) Emerging Markets Program Heightens Awareness of our Ports |
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relationships and trade opportunities
Did you know that Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) trade with Vietnam has doubled over the past 5 years? That NWSA is the top US port for Vietnam toy exports and that Vietnam is the top destination for NWSA fruits and nut exports?
If you'd like to attend in the NWSA webinar aimed at bringing awareness to Thailand on August 10 at 7PM, you can register here.
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Biden's China Trade Policy |
This program is for those interested in where our trade policy with China is headed and what impact it will have on us.
We interviewed Sam Kaplan, a local author of a recently released book on China policy. We got an update on the substantial policy changes that have taking place and a preview of what's in store for this all-important trade relationship.
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Vietnam: Marketing and Supply Chain Management |
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The Deputy Governor of Binh Dinh Province, his 24 of ministers, and two international business executives
with decades of experience in Vietnam gave presentations and answered questions. This is a must-see if you're serious about doing business with Vietnam.
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UPCOMING! Sister Cities Virtual Trade Mission |
Leveraging our Sister City relationships and taking advantage of new videoconferencing capabilities, we are offering regional firms the opportunity to join our Virtual Trade Mission with Fuzhou and Chongqing. Videos will be produced and publicized among the interested in the counterpart market before virtual video-conferenced meetings are held.
Where interest is found, in-person trade mission may follow, targeting
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trade shows in the sister cities in mid-May 2022.
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Save the Date! Thursday, September 30 5:00PM-7:00PM |
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The Globe Awards are just around the corner! This in-person networking event will be held dockside at the semi-outdoor and airy Tacoma Youth Marine Center.
The international trade community will recognize a local company excelling in trade and trade promotion and acknowledge the importance of trade to the Washington State economy.
An award will be presented to the organization that exemplifies the mission of the WTC Tacoma – We Grow Trade!
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A quick, easy, and affordable way to become export-ready and put your product or service on the global market.
- Low-cost exposure to 155 markets
- Well-recognized World Trade Center branding
- 12-language accessibility
- Individual showcase - up to 25 products
- Advanced search engine optimization
- Over 1000 Average daily views
- Filtered queries - receive only qualified leads
- Ongoing guidance & support
- Affordable annual subscriptions for members from $1495
- Professional website design and search engine optimization
- Counseling on international trade
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The Trade Desk is an affordable, state-of-the-art service desk perfect for:
- an entrepreneur with a vision who needs help putting it into action,
- a small business seeking to expand, or
- an established mid- to large-sized company looking to explore new avenues, gain further efficiencies of scale or searching out new suppliers or customers.
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