Due to a technical glitch, a member profile in this week's newsletter ran twice. The corrected newsletter is below.

WTCA Global Business Forum

Already, we are planning our exhibition space at the 54th World Trade Centers Association Global Business Forum, formerly called the General Assembly, in Bengaluru, India from March 3 to 6, 2024. The new name reflects the increased emphasis on Business to Business, Government to Business and other matchmaking and collaboration opportunities within WTCA events. Join us and learn just how your membership in the World Trade Centers network can boost your business.

US-Africa Business Summit and Kickoff

Our next travel will be to the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit from May 6-9, meeting in Dallas, Texas this year. Companies that travel to the Summit with us report excellent results. They strengthen relationships with African and US partners, customers, and suppliers, and learn about trade strategies and opportunities from corporate leaders and policymakers at the highest level of US and African governments and multilateral organizations. Of course, we will again host our Kickoff to the Summit on April 16. Places for this signature event are limited, so be sure to sign up and indicate your matchmaking choices as soon as we open registration. World Trade Center Delaware members in good standing have first choice for this event.

EXIM Training

Another signature event is our annual EXIM training with leaders from the Export-Import Bank of the United States, members of our Congressional delegations, and financial and risk management experts. We are holding this on June 13, and attendance is limited to allow for meaningful dialogue among the participants. WTC Delaware members enjoy the first opportunity to register.

Chocolate and Beer

We are planning a series of after-work social events around the state beginning in early 2024. Save February 22 for our 6th Annual Chocolate and Beer tasting using all local purveyors. The beer is produced by Midnight Oil Brewing with gourmet chocolate bonbons from Sweet Dreams. Again, we will munch on sponsor United Cocoa Processor’s chocolates and find out the source of this year’s goodies.

Seamen's Center Support

On a more serious note, we in Delaware are very fortunate that the economy has improved, and that we are safe from the vicissitudes of war. Such is not the case in other parts of the world. In this newsletter, we link to an appeal from the Seamen’s Center of Wilmington for donations for the seafarers, many of whom come from countries in economic disarray or strife. Please include them in your thoughts and actions as you prepare to celebrate the holidays and new year.

We wish you a very happy and healthy holiday season and our sincere wishes for a prosperous and peaceful new year.

Carla Stone

Nesrin Cakiroglu

Seyeon Min

Erin McGrellis

Delaware Prosperity Partnership

The Delaware Prosperity Partnership is Delaware’s lead economic development agency, aiming to attract, grow, and retain businesses. It also works to build a system of innovation and entrepreneurship and support employers in attracting and recruiting talent. World Trade Center Delaware is one of DPP’s economic development partners, referring companies to WTC for consultations and support. 

Learn more: www.choosedelaware.com

WSFS Bank

A leading bank in the region since 1832, WSFS Bank is one of the 10 oldest banks in the U.S. still operating under the same name. It manages $77.6 billion in assets. It operates multiple wealth management planning and advisory services, trust services, and investment management services, as well as ATM vault cash services, a commercial financial equipment company, and mortgage lending services. WSFS also donates more than 17,000 volunteer hours and more than $2.9 million to the communities it serves.

Learn more: www.wsfsbank.com

Convergence Public Affairs

Convergence Public Affairs is a public affairs, government relations, strategic communication, and public policy firm in Wilmington and Washington, D.C. Senior Director of Public Affairs and Advocacy Ken Grant first connected with World Trade Center Delaware when working with Miles Scientific in 2007, and he served as the master of ceremonies for the recent WTC Gala. "Carla and the team at World Trade Center Delaware provide valuable insights and connections in every market we have explored," Grant said.

Learn more: www.convergencepubaffairs.com

Please welcome new World Trade Center board member Ken Grant! He has more than 30 years of experience in media, government relations, and marketing, as well as several experiences with trade missions to Brazil, UAE, India, China, Japan, and South Korea. He's been named as a Small Business Media Advocate by the Small Business Administration, an Entrepreneurial Advocate by the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, and the Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council has named him the recipient of the Excellence in Public Service Award. 

Ken is an active member of the Rotary Club of Wilmington and was part of the committee that organized a fundraising effort to provide nearly $300,000 in humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine. Ken and his wife, Kristin, live in Newark, where Kristin tutors international students through the University of Delaware's English Language Institute.

World Trade Center Delaware and several partners held a recent successful workshop to help attorneys, bankers, accountants, custom brokers, warehousers, and others understand how foreign trade zones can benefit their business. From left, Carla Stone, president of World Trade Center Delaware; Erik E. Kelling, chief of staff, Area Port of Philadelphia, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Sean F. Lydon, president, ISCM Inc., a speaker at the event; Patty Cannon, Delaware Foreign Trade Zone Administrator; Nesrin Cakiroglu, director of operations and training, World Trade Center Delaware; and Scott Taylor, member and FTZ Practice Leader, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, a speaker at the event.

The Path to High Impact Business & Successful Entrepreneurial Activities

February 8, 5 – 7 p.m., Yards Brewery, 500 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia, PA 19123

World Trade Center Delaware interns Erin McGrellis and Seyeon Min represented us at the recent Taste of Delaware event in Washington, D.C. They toured Washington, Annapolis, and the National Gallery of Art during the day.

Delaware’s diverse cultural and religious communities join others throughout the globe in celebrating holidays in winter. They include Diwali, Bodhi, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, each with unique significance and customs. This multitude of winter celebrations illustrates the rich diversity of customs and practices embraced by communities worldwide during this festive season.

Diwali is an official five-day Hindu festival in India. The word “Diwali” is from a phrase meaning “row of lamps,” as the holiday involves lighting small clay lamps, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.

Bodhi, meaning awakening or enlightenment, is observed through Mahayana traditions. Celebrated by meditating around Asian countries, one shared aspect across all services is the commemoration of Buddha’s achieving nirvana. 

Christmas is the most globally recognized holiday, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. A Christmas tree with lights and ornaments is a common sight, especially in the United States.

Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday that celebrates the re-establishment of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Maccabean Revolt in the 2nd century BCE. It begins on the 25th day of Kilev in the Hebrew Calendar.

Kwanzaa is a week-long holiday, aimed at honoring African heritage within African American culture. It is observed from December 26 to January 1 and ends with a festive meal and the exchange of gifts. 

Lunar New Year begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends on the first full moon of the lunar calendar, 15 days later. The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, so the date of the holiday varies slightly from year to year. Access the complete article here!

By Seyeon (Sena) Min - WTC Delaware Research & Trade Information Intern

References

Diwali, Hanukkah: https://mccormickcenter.nl.edu/library/winter-celebrations/

Christmas, Kwanzaa: https://time.com/6242283/december-global-holidays-christmas-hanukkah-yule/

Bodhi Day: https://www.worldreligionnews.com/religion-news/buddhism/winter-holiday-series-bodhi-day/

Lunar New Year: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lunar-New-Year

This holiday season, let us remember those seafarers who work far away from home. These unseen angels of the sea make it possible for us and our families to enjoy our standard of living and for us to work in an industry that we love. Please give to the Seamen's Center of Wilmington Christmas at Sea by making a purchase from the gift list below of the most needed items for the ditty boxes they will receive. Just click on the link. Help our seafarers by acknowledging that their work never stops, even for the holiday season.

Every year, International Delaware magazine showcases how World Trade Center Delaware expands businesses, improves profitability, and increases employment through international trade. The 2023-24 edition of the magazine shares why Delaware is known as the corporate capital of the world, the advantages of locating in Delaware, why Delaware's court system is a plus for businesses, and more.

U.S. exporters can apply now to join an agribusiness trade mission to the Republic of Korea in March. The mission will take place March 25-28 along with the USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Alexis Taylor. 

Selected participants will have two days of meetings with potential importers, processors and distributors. They will also receive market briefings from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service and industry trade experts and participate in site visits and other networking opportunities.

The Republic of Korea is one of the top US export markets and officials see tremendous potential for growth in health and fitness, ready-to-eat, and convenience products. In 2022, South Korea imported approximately $41.1 billion worth of agricultural goods, and the United States was the leading supplier with $10.4 billion in agricultural exports. 

Exporters must apply by December 18, 2023.

Women-led businesses can apply for an upcoming Global Diversity Export Initiative trade mission to three countries next March.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration will be leading the mission, which will include the Opportunities for Woman-Led Businesses in the Americas Conference in Panama City, March 10-11.

There will also be prearranged 1-on-1 consultations with U.S. commercial officers and diplomats representing 15 countries in the Americas. U.S. Embassies participating in the event are from the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Uruguay. Learn more about the mission.

WTC Delaware provides a full range of international trade-related services with an in-depth focus on export/import of services and manufactured goods. These pages contain brief information on opportunities that could offer exciting possibilities for U.S. companies in a variety of industry sectors.

• MEXICO: EV Charging Station Partners
• COLOMBIA: Railway Equipment
• RUSSIA, UKRAINE, EURASIA: Reconstruction Procurement Alerts
• ARMENIA: Water Reservoirs Assessment
• DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Water and Wastewater Technology Supplier
• EGYPT: EBRD Consultancy Opportunities
• FIJI, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, SOLOMON ISLANDS, VANUATU: Blue Carbon Ecosystem Assessments
• HONG KONG: Oceanographic Deep Sea Gas Hydrate Inhibition Technology
• MOROCCO: Water Infrastructure Project
• MEXICO: Wastewater Collection System Improvements
• TUNISIA: Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation

View the most recent trade leads here.

Delaware companies: Please fill out our trade leads form so we can market your products or services!

January 17

WTC Delaware Board Meeting

February 8

International Networking @ Yards Brewery – The Path to High Impact Business & Successful Entrepreneurial Activities

February 22

Sixth Annual Tastes of Chocolate and Beer from Around the World

March 3-6

World Trade Centers Association Business Forum, Bengaluru, India

April 16

Kickoff to U.S.-Africa Business Summit, Wilmington

May 4-9

U.S.-Africa Business Summit, Dallas

May 13-19

Trade Winds Access Europe and Eurasia, Istanbul, Turkey

June 13

Annual EXIM Training, Wilmington 

December 20

Policy Makers Breakfast with Senator Chris Coons, New Castle County Chamber of Commerce

January 11

Webinar: How to Start a Business, Delaware Small Business Development Center

January 29

187th Annual Dinner, Delaware State Chamber of Commerce

January 31

New Castle County Open for Business, New Castle County Chamber of Commerce

Highlight your most recent offerings and achievements with World Trade Center Delaware.

Become a member today!