This week, the Pennsylvania plays host to trade representatives from 21 countries around the world. These representatives will be touring the state searching for business opportunities, perhaps the perfect region for a corporation’s global headquarters or a hub for manufacturing.
The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation rolls out the red carpet with an event entitled “The World is Open for Business.” This day-long event on Sept. 23 will give economic development officials the opportunity to meet with foreign trade representatives, answer any questions and present incentives like the Foreign Trade Zone program, designed to smooth any globalization headaches companies may have. Positioned just two hours from New York with access to three major manufacturing markets, the LVEDC hopes to present the region as a hub for American production.
“In past years, we have focused our keynote speakers and events on certain hot topics relating to growing your business globally,” says LVEDC VP of Marketing Margaret McConnell. “This year, we have a theme throughout the day on social media, as social media is kind of taking over the world and companies need to know how to use it to enhance their marketing efforts. We have several local business owners speaking about ways to grow business on the world stage.”
This event also allows local business owners the opportunity to meet with foreign trade representatives to discuss doing business in other parts of the world. Lehigh University’s Small Business Development Center will be facilitating meetings between foreign representatives from all over the world interested in sharing ideas with Lehigh Valley business owners, making the world seem just a little smaller for representatives looking to do business a long way from home.
“This event allows our local businesses to meet one on one with these trade representatives to talk about business expansion plans in Brazil or Canada or India and it’s a way for them to connect and hash out some ideas for expansion in those countries,” says McConnell.
Source: Margaret McConnell, LVEDC
Writer: John Steele