A Success from All Angles!

The Global California Conference held in San Jose at the Cisco Conference Center in early December drew conference goers from around the State to discuss pertinent issues in the California Trade Community.

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Video Highlights:
View a 9Mb QuickTime movie (best viewed with a broadband connection) of Global California highlights. Don't have the free QuickTime Player? Download it here.

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With a new governor in office and economic indicators pointing toward recovery, California's trade community joined forces to begin a new phase of cooperation and collaboration among trade promotion agencies throughout the Golden State.

"Global California: Economy in Transition," was a day-long conference held at the Cisco Conference Center on December 5, 2003. Featured speakers were selected from a broad cross-section of trade service experts, but all seemed to agree on the need for heightened awareness and public outreach, to improve the environment for further grown in this sector.

"Arnold Schwarzenegger is an action guy who wants to have 'action items' on his desk. He's not interested in white papers or long, involved studies," said trade consultant, Jerry Levine, president, Mentor International. "We have to unite to provide him and our legislators with plans they can implement without delay."

The conference - organized by TradePort, The Monterey International Trade Association, and the CalTrade Report - drew from a number of Bay Area trade experts as well, including Jerry Bridges, the Maritime Director at the Port of Oakland, of the nation's fourth largest port. "We are the engine of economic growth," he said. "But for that to be sustained, we need support for the steady expansion of our infrastructure."

In a post Conference survey conducted online, over 80% of the participants felt that the conference was particularly timely and relevant to the current trends in the trade promotion arena. One respondent states, "This conference provided an excellent opportunity to hear opinions and voice concerns about International Trade Issues."

In addition, 80% of the respondents reported to have made contact with an individual or an organization that they believe will be a benefit to their business in the near future and over 85% reported that they would attend a similar conference in the future.

Another attendee wrote, "The Global California: Economy in Transition conference was an important step in initiating dialogue between public and private trade groups to address the critical economic issues facing California today."

On that note; TradePort, The LA Chamber of Commerce, the CalTrade Report and MBITA have already begun planning a Southern California version of the Global California Conference to be held in May of 2004. Please check the TradePort website for more information as it becomes available.

Re-Cap of Global California Conference by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For a more detailed article see the CalTrade Report.

'Global California – Doorstep to the World' is SOLD OUT, but you can participate at the convenience of your desktop.

Every year, thousands of small and medium-sized companies pump the life’s blood of international business into the heart of the California economy, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue and creating thousands of jobs.

In fact, according to Inc. Magazine’s most recent “Inc. 500” list, the state – long regarded as an incubator of entrepreneurism and innovation – serves as home to 77 of the nation’s fastest growing privately-owned companies – more than half of which have partners overseas.

On February 16, 2006 at the California Chamber of Commerce headquarters in Sacramento, “Global California – Doorstep to the World” will offer companies of all sizes a forum to access timely information and expertise on the major issues challenging California’s international trade community. In addition, acknowledged trade experts will present visionary business executives considering taking their companies global with the valuable, practical benefit of their own international experiences.

Expert panelists at the day-long conference – organized by TradePort, the Monterey Bay International Trade Association, and the CalTrade Report – will cover such topics as:

• Global California goes online
• The State of “Global California”
• The California-China Connection
• Taking Your Company Global – The Basics
• Branding Your Product Overseas and Global Web Marketing
• California Public Sector Trade Initiatives
• Secure Trade: The Challenges and Options
• Trade Finance Options
• California’s Transportation Infrastructure

“Global California – Doorstep to the World” will also provide an unprecedented opportunity to meet and network with some of the most experienced international business people in the state.

Join us on February 16, 2006 in Sacramento and draw on California's vast reservoir of business acumen, energy, and entrepreneurial spirit to grow your company by exploring untold, opportunities in the global marketplace.

It’s a big world of opportunity out there and this is the trade conference you can't afford to miss.

Unlock your company’s global potential and invest in California's international future. Mark your calendar for “Global California – Doorstep to the World.”