|
VITA's mission is to promote the Greater San Fernando Valley as a leader in international trade by providing our members with valuable resources, informational programs, and referral assistance and networking opportunities. |
VITA Global Networking Breakfast
"Doing Business in India"
Date: Wednesday - March 18, 2009
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Location: The Valley Economic Alliance
5121 Van Nuys Blvd., 2nd Floor
BFG Board Room
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 |
Our confirmed speakers are Gunjan Bagla, Managing Director, Amritt, Inc. and Suresh Nihalani, President, Airtera Inc. Register and find out more at our website www.vitainternational.org. For additional information, please call Darcy Winters at 818-379-7000 x109.
Member Price: $20.00
Non-Member Price: $25.00 |
| The Valley Economic Summit 2009 |
|
Mark your calendars! The Valley Economic Summit is coming on Wednesday - May 6, 2009 and will feature a morning packed with the latest economic and real estate market trends facing the Valley and Southern California.
With the action-packed theme of "Seizing Opportunities in this Economic Recession", this 4th annual Summit is the only event of its kind held within the five-city region and will provide valuable and applicable information beneficial to everyone conducting business in the San Fernando Valley and beyond.
This premier happening will be held at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City. Co-presented by The Valley Economic Alliance and California State University, Northridge, the Economic Summit has been growing in its attendance and popularity every year and we expect another large audience to learn of coming trends that can directly affect their bottom line.
The Valley Economic Alliance and Cal State University Northridge are strategic allies that have a history and shared vision of stimulating the economic base of the region and both institutions strongly believe that realizing a resolute and prosperous community is a shared responsibility and a common endeavor.
The Economic Summit will showcase an inspiring lineup of speakers and knowledgeable panelists highlighted by the Valley Economic & Real Estate Report by the University's College of Business & Economics and The Center for Real Estate.
Early registration is encouraged and additional information can be found at our web site:www.economicalliance.org, or by calling 818-379-7000. We are looking forward to seeing you there! |
| UCLA Extension's Free Spring Open House |
Date: Wednesday - March 18, 2009 Time: 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Location: UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 10920 Lindbrook Drive Westwood, CA 96137 Investing in your professional skills is always a wise choice, and never more so than in today's economy. Attend UCLA Extension's free spring open house and find out how UCLA Extension can boost your professional development and help position you for success, in your current career field or on a new career path. Discover UCLA Extension's career-boosting courses and programs in fields as diverse as landscape architecture, movie and television post-production, and satellite design; take advantage of 10% discounts on Spring Quarter course enrollment fees; enter a raffle to win a free course or $50 Trader Joe's gift certificate; and check out tip-filled career workshops. This community event also will include Whole Foods representatives providing information on healthy eating and living, a gift basket raffle and an apple tasting. For more information, email openhouse@uclaextension.edu or call 310-825-2674. For information about UCLA Extension courses, programs and upcoming events, visit www.uclaextension.edu. Enrollment for UCLA Extension's Spring Quarter is underway now. Spring Quarter commences March 30, with courses beginning throughout the quarter. |
| 6th Annual Global California Conference
"Where is the Money and Markets in our Challenging Global Economy" |
Date: Friday - April 3, 2009 Time: 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. - registration 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - presentations Location: Silicon Valley Bank Kellogg Auditorium 3005 Tasman Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054 The growth of our small business is key to our economic recovery both here and abroad. The global slowdown is affecting the U.S. economy with a residual effect on our global markets. However, it is a big, big world and there are pockets of increased global trade and investment opportunity in such regions as the Gulf Coast Countries (GCC) of the Middle East and the democratic countries of Africa. Additionally, credit for business expansion remains tight and difficult to obtain. Yet, most small businesses don't realize that if they have a sound purchase order from a qualified foreign buyer the U.S. government through various programs will guarantee a loan with your local bank. Furthermore, the U.S. government can lend American small business substantial funds at much discounted prices for foreign direct investment into a foreign project, all in the spirit of creating good paying jobs in the U.S. through exports and foreign direct investment. Join hundreds of small to mid-sized enterprises and leaders from government and the private sector in global marketing and trade finance from throughout California for the 6th annual Global California Conference to be held at the Silicon Valley Bank in Santa Clara, Ca. This conference will provide details about public sector programs to finance your exports, or from private sector trade finance professionals that can creatively make that import or export transaction a reality. The 6th annual Global California conference will also bring some of the leading public and private sector marketing professionals in the State to speak about the thriving markets in Africa and the GCC Middle East. Also, FedEx who has sponsored the Global California conferences for the last three years will be giving a featured presentation on their export compliance services to make sure once you have identified the right marketplace and obtained the trade finance required to consummate a transaction that the shipment is smooth, efficient and cost-effective. For details on this important conference please go to: http://www.mbita.org/gc2009/conference.html For more information, registration and sponsorship opportunities visit: www.mbita.org/events/home.php Or contact:Monterey Bay International Trade Association (MBITA)P.O. Box 523 Santa Cruz, CA 95061 Tel. 831-335-4780 Fax 831-335-4822 www.mbita.orgtlivoti@mbita.org |
| 83rd Annual World Trade Week Kickoff Breakfast |
Date: Thursday - May 7, 2009
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Location: Wilshire Grand Hotel 930 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90017 World trade is L.A.'s economic engine, providing more jobs and economic impact to the region than any other industry. Join more than 500 executives and members of the diplomatic corps at the 83rd Annual World Trade Week Kickoff breakfast with keynote speaker Dr. Steven Sample, President of the University of Southern California (USC) and Master of Ceremonies Giselle Fernandez-Farrand. For more information, or to learn about sponsorship opportunities for World Trade Week, contact International Trade Coordinator Jasmin Saki-Gonzalez, 213.580.7569 or jgonzalez@lachamber.com www.worldtradeweek.com. |
| Innovation Driven Exports
By Ayse Oge |
|
Innovation is America's strength in global competition. Products and services that have cutting edge uniqueness and creativity, sparked by technological development, with a perception of high quality and value are sought by global consumers as the best U.S. exports. Wet Design, a global company based in the San Fernando Valley, exemplifies the art and science of fountains by bringing people together in a shared experience of movement, light and emotion. Fountains are definitely an important part of the experience economy; they boost sales for retailers, increase occupancy rates for hotels and raise rents for commercial builders. During my visit to the company headquarters in February 2009, I acquired some facts and observed its best practices:
Manufacturing Capabilities
Wet's team of talented architects, engineers, artists, physicists, anthropologist and choreographers defy physics and capture imagination by building a large range of fountains, from the flagship Bellagio in Las Vegas to the recent Burj Dubai project. Every component of the water features, electrical panels, shooters and lighting to move water is made in their machine shop. The LEAN Manufacturing system adheres strictly to all aspects of their work, including the layout of the shop and the flow of projects.
R&D Capabilities
The team of innovative and creative designers, architects and engineers are working on unique and custom-made projects for each client.
Export Tips
- International business is based on relationships.
- Respect for the culture of your counterpart is crucial.
- U.S. Commercial Service provides huge value for exporters, and Wet Design has benefited from their guidance and services in their global business.
- Fair negotiation that results in a win-win outcome is critical.
Innovation thrives on traditional American values of ingenuity, broadmindedness, openness and creativity. Wet Design is certainly demonstrating these best qualities to the world.
Ayse Oge, Ultimate Trade, International Trade Consulting, Speaking and Training. She can be reached at oge@earthlink.net
www.goglobaltowin.com. |
| U.S. Commercial Service |
Founded in 1980, the U.S. Commercial Service is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, which assists U.S. companies, particularly small and medium-sized businesses with sales in international markets. Our network includes 107 U.S. Export Assistance Centers throughout the United States and more than 150 offices overseas in 87 countries. Visit the U.S. government's export portal at http://www.export.gov. |
| Buy USA E-Newsletter |
The U.S. Department of Commerce Commercial Service has an excellent E-newsletter Asia Now eNews. Please refer to the following website to subscribe www.buyusa.gov/asianow/enews.html. Each month there is a detailed article on a featured country as well as reports on needs in various Asian countries for US products and services, and information about trade shows and events throughout the region. |
| GlobalCalifornia.com |
|
On-line resource directory of public and private sector global trade related organizations. GlobalCalifornia.com is currently a simple online directory for California's dynamic trade promotion and investment community based on industry sectors, such as, legal, trade finance, marketing, educational, logistics and other sectors in global trade. Eventually, the website will employ a sophisticated searching mechanism through a natural language query interface to identify qualified online sources of information and solutions in California, combined with the ability for the user to summon on-demand online support in real time or offline through the California Trade Partners network.
VITA and MBITA are currently offering exclusive sponsorship opportunities for GlobalCalifornia.com. Please contact Tony Livoti at 831-335-4780 or by e-mail: tlivoti@mbita.org to get on the ground floor of California's premiere gateway to global trade. |
| TradePort
California's Gateway to Global Trade |
TradePort is a cooperating partner of VITA and a repository of free information and resources for businesses that seek to conduct international trade to and from California. Created in 1996, TradePort is backed by an alliance of regional trade associations that assist California export and import businesses. Includes information on California Trade Statistics, TradePort Network, Export & Import Tutorials, Online Trade Services, Market Research, and a Trade Library. Go to www.tradeport.org. |
| CalTrade Report |
The CalTrade Report is the only dedicated source, online or in print, for international business news/information in and about the world's fifth largest economy, California. This edition is brought to you free-of-charge courtesy of Valley International Trade Association. Click Here for the most recent edition of the CalTrade Report with the latest news. | |
|
|
|
Darcy Winters
VITA Newsletter Editor
| |
|
