INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION CELEBRATES WORLD TRADE MONTH IN MAY

Local Ventura County and San Fernando Joint Event to be held in Thousand Oaks at California Lutheran University

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) is celebrating World Trade Month with a series of trade events and programs across the United States to boost American exports and support jobs. May 17, 2011 will mark the first inaugural World Trade Week event jointly sponsored by VITA (Valley International Trade Association) of San Fernando Valley, and the District Export Council of Ventura County.

The Event will be held on the Thousand Oaks campus of California Lutheran University, from 9:00AM too 12:00 Noon. Federal and Local Congressionals supporting the event through their attendance are:

Vanessa Hernandez, District Representative for U.S. Congresswoman Lois Capps (CA-23) and

Ernie Villegas, District Director for California State Assemblyman Jeff Gorrell, 37th District

Jeannette Sanchez, District Director for California State Assemblyman Das Williams, 35th District

A panel of experts will provide examples of available support services from the Export Import Bank of the United States, U.S. Commercial Service, and other export-related entities. They will also answer audience questions related to specific export opportunities. Marketing, Trade Finance, Logistics, and Risk will be the major topics.

Export Excellence awards will be presented to two area entities who have demonstrated success and support for export growth. Recipients are California Lutheran University School of Business, Thousand Oaks, CA and Soilmoisture Equipment Corp, Santa Barbara, CA.

Exports have been a key driver of America's economic recovery. The United States is the world’s largest exporter of goods and services, valued at $1.8 trillion in 2010. Nearly 10 million American jobs were supported by exports in 2008. However, this year’s observation comes at a unique moment with more than 95 percent of the world’s consumers living outside of the United States.

President Obama has outlined an ambitious trade agenda to help businesses compete globally which include the National Export Initiative aimed at doubling exports by 2015 and implementing trade agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama.

“Over eighty percent of the world’s growth in the next decade is expected to occur outside the United States. Our future depends on the collective ability of the private and public sectors to generate new ideas and be the first to translate those ideas into new products, services and commercial opportunities both in America and around the world,” according to ITA Under Secretary Francisco Sanchez.

World Trade Week was founded by Stanley T. Olafson, then-manager of the World Trade Department of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, in 1927.

To learn more about World Trade Month and events taking place across the country visit www.trade.gov.

To Register:
By Email: email: dwinters@economicalliance.org
Web registration: http:/www.buyusa.gov/westlosangeles/cwtw.html
(or click here!)
Phone: Darcy Winters: 818-379-7000X109