February 2023 Updates
SAVE the DATE
PRESIDENT'S NOTES
Trade Shows Work!

Why does World Trade Center Delaware emphasize the importance of participating in trade shows? Simply, because they work.  Long term business success is built on relationships, and these relationships are not simply transactional.

According to Gene Uhm of EXIM, in 2022, trade shows continued to provide a huge lift to businesses.
  • "88% of businesses participate in trade shows to raise their brand awareness.
  • 83% of businesses attend trade shows to increase their sales.
  • 72% of exhibitors have a presence at trade shows to get new leads.
  • 92% of attendees visit trade shows to learn about new products and services.”  

However, only 3% of U.S. small businesses take advantage of the advantages that trade shows give to participants to expand to the 95% of all consumers who live outside of the United States. This means that most American small businesses are ignoring the potential to grow through trade.

We can help you to participate in trade shows and:
  • Identify the trade shows in your sector.
  • Provide background information and cultural information about the region of the world you will be visiting.
  • Help to identify potential buyers.
  • Introduce you to local experts from World Trade Centers in almost 100 countries and the U. S. International Trade Administration, for which WTC Delaware has been named a Strategic Partner.
  • Represent your company at trade shows and international conferences when you are unable to travel.

In March, I will travel to Bangkok for TradeWinds ASEAN, the largest U.S. government-led trade mission and business development forum. In April, the World Trade Centers Association will hold its General Assembly and Trade Show in Accra, Ghana and WTC Delaware will have an exhibition booth where companies and agencies can showcase their products and services to attendees from the entire world. In July, World Trade Center Delaware plans to return to the US-Africa Business Summit, where, last year, over 2,000 people from 64 countries attended, including Presidents, Cabinet Ministers and CEOs of multinational companies and multilateral funding institutions. Our members who have participated in these particular overseas trade events have been very successful in generating new business.

For more information or to exhibit, please contact me at [email protected].

Carla Sydney Stone
President
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
WTCDE Premier Members
Port to Port International Corporation
Learn more about Port to Port International: http://www.ptpshipping.com/?lang=en
Delaware Business Times
Learn more about Delaware Business Times: https://delawarebusinesstimes.com/
WSFS
Learn more about WSFS: https://www.wsfsbank.com/
Thank You to Our Renewing Members
BELFINT LYONS & SHUMAN, CPAs
Member since 2012

Belfint Lyons & Shuman (BLS) celebrates the 100th anniversary of its founding in 2023. Founded as a small accounting practice, today it has more than 80 professionals, and has become one of the largest and most respected certified public accounting firms in Delaware. It has a diverse client base and offers services such as: advisory services, assurance, auditing, tax planning and compliance, small business services, litigation support, employee benefit plan audits, succession planning, business and management consulting, and corporate services for investment holding companies. 
 
Stephanie Chapman, CPA, Director Tax & Small Business/International Services serves as Treasurer of the WTC Delaware Board of Directors. Her practices centers around people and companies who do business across borders. "Taxes are a common denominator in any culture, and I love guiding small businesses who are expanding their businesses into the U.S. through Delaware's gateway. Believe me; the world knows that if you're going to do business in the U.S., you start in Delaware and the World Trade Center provides that mutual connection.” She says that her favorite parts of being a member of WTC Delaware are “… networking opportunities! And Nesrin. She's positively amazing at her job!”. We agree.
Learn more about BLS: https://www.belfint.com/
FULTON BANK
Member since 2014

Fulton offers a suite of international banking products and services such as Letters of Credit, Foreign Exchange and Foreign Currency Accounts. It assists business owners to be successful with international trade. By helping to eliminate cash flow uncertainty through multiple banking products and services, including SBA and EXIM financing. According to Janet Dougherty, Vice President, Commercial Banking Team Leader, Fulton Bank joined WTC Delaware “to meet Delaware business owners and managers who do business internationally. Our favorite parts of being a member are meeting business owners and learning what they do through the World Trade Center Delaware.” 
 
Fulton is a valuable partner to the World Trade Center Delaware and its members. Janet Dougherty serves on the Board of Directors and she and Fulton’s international banking leaders conduct training for our members. Most recently, she spoke about the financial instruments and resources available to small businesses for ameliorating risk associated with doing business in Ghana, during a hybrid Delaware-Ghana training that included Hon. Alan Kyerematen, Minister, Trade & Industry, and R. Yofi Grant, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre. This program prepared participants for the World Trade Centers Association General Assembly in Accra in April.

(Full disclosure: Fulton Bank provides banking services to World Trade Center Delaware.)
Learn more about Fulton Bank: https://www.fultonbank.com/
DRONE WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
Member since 2019

DWS is the “Premier” global staffing employment and placement company for drone operators. It was founded by Theophilus R. Nix, Jr., Esq. and Suzanne E. Nix. Theo, an accomplished attorney, comes from a long family heritage of lawyers and entrepreneurs. For the last decade, he has led a Global Procurement Project allowing him to oversee and manage a Global Employment Staffing Initiative valued at $120 million annually and has negotiated multi-million-dollar global mega construction projects. The DWS proprietary online database already has hundreds of DWS validated and FAA certificated drone operators at its disposal. There is a high set of standards that must be met to be a part of the DWS team of pilots. DWS has implemented a multifaceted program backed by a world-class training and mentoring program for DWS drone operators, making it the best in class.
 
Operating in several states, DWS is expanding internationally, currently in Africa where Theo says the company is "opening technology schools in Africa thereby creating a vital workforce development opportunity for Americans and Africans. We will create global training and workforce development initiative for teens/youth, veterans, and civilians for hundreds of our graduates.” DWS has found membership in WTC Delaware to be extremely useful in helping the company reach its goals. “We appreciate the breath of talent of the Board and members that are part of this organization.”

Learn more about DWS: https://droneworkforcesolutions.com/
WEYMOUTH, SWAYZE & CARROON
Member since 2007

Weymouth, Swayze & Corroon Insurance (WS&C) is the result of the 2009 merger between Weymouth & Smith Insurance and Corroon & Associates. The firm's origins date back to Wilmington, Delaware in 1933 and New York City in 1901. WS&C has been protecting the interests of its clients for the past 82 years, serving the needs of both individual households and businesses in 34 states and overseas. President Richard Corroon, CPCU says that WTC Delaware has benefitted WS&C because it handles “… the insurance programs of many multinational clients and being a member of WTCDE has provided networking opportunities and various resources on international business. We also conducted a seminar on overseas insurance, travel accident and kidnap/ransom/extortion insurance for WTCDE several years ago. “   
 
WS&C has expertise in global insurance programs. this is “…a niche area that we have been involved in for over 30 years. Any company that does any business overseas should consider a Foreign Insurance policy to protect their business and assets.” In addition, the company advise “…clients must absolutely have this coverage in place based on the spike in hacking and ransomware events.”

(Full disclosure: WS&C provides insurance services, including travel, international and cybersecurity insurance, to the World Trade Center Delaware.)
Learn more about WS&C: https://www.wscins.com/
ANNOUNCEMENTS
World Trade Center Delaware welcomes Delaware Representative Jeff Spiegelman to the Board of Directors and bids Representative Michael Ramone, goodbye as he embarks on his new role as House Minority Leader.

State Representative Jeff Spiegelman of Clayton was first elected in 2012 to represent in the Delaware House of Representatives the citizens of the 11th District, which includes parts of Clayton, Smyrna, Kenton and Middletown.

As a member of the House, Rep. Spiegelman serves as one of four co-chairmen of the ad hoc, bi-partisan committee, known as the Delaware Sportsmen’s Caucus. He also serves on the ad hoc House Small Business Caucus, as well as on the following standing House committees: Economic Development/Banking/Insurance/Commerce Committee, Housing & Community Affairs Committee, Joint Sunset (Policy Analysis & Government Accountability) Committee (Ranking Member), Judiciary Committee (Ranking Member), Revenue & Finance Committee, and Veterans Affairs Committee.

Rep. Spiegelman’s membership affiliations outside the General Assembly include the following organizations: Air Mobility Command Museum Foundation; Kenton Ruritan; Civil Air Patrol (Major); and the Republican Jewish Coalition.

Rep. Spiegelman is a commercial realtor and college history and politics instructor. He and his wife, Jenn, have two children: Saul and Elianah.
WE ARE HIRING!

We are looking for a boldly ambitious, uniquely creative and boundary-pushing Graphic Designer who is captivated by the challenge and excited by the opportunity to create powerful images capable of informing thousands of internet, print, and social media readers about our work at World Trade Center Delaware, the leading international business resource in the entire Delaware region.

Candidates for this position would be expected to work in the World Trade Center Delaware office in New Castle, Delaware with key team members. Free parking available.

This is a paid position for local students attending the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Delaware Technical Community College, Wilmington University, Goldey Beacom College, Delaware College of Art & Design, or Delaware Law School. We will work with your school’s administration and faculty to arrange for-credit internships if desired. To apply, please submit your cover letter, resume, and previous work samples to [email protected]. Learn more about this position!
South African Consul General Visits the World Trade Center Delaware

World Trade Center Delaware had the pleasure of welcoming the South African Consul General, Motumisi Tawana, Ph.D. to our office last Thursday. As stated by Mr. Tawana, "there is a window of opportunity to let people know/build awareness about Delaware." We look forward to finding ways to expand trade relations between South Africa and the U.S. through Delaware's Port of Wilmington and exchanging expertise in specialized industries.
Export-Import Bank of the United States Signs $500 Million Memorandum of Understanding with the Sultanate of Oman

Earlier this month, WTC Delaware teamed up with WTCs Montana and Kansas City to present a forum on opportunities for trade with Oman. For more information about resources to support trade, please see announcement of new MOU signed between EXIM and Oman.  

WASHINGTON –The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) today (Feb. 23) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in an amount up to $500 million with the Ministry of Finance of the Sultanate of Oman. EXIM President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis signed the MOU alongside His Excellency Abdullah bin Salim Al Harthi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance of Oman, and U.S. Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, Jose Fernandez.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HANWOOL!!!

Please join us in wishing a very happy birthday to our intern, Hanwool Jang! She is celebrating her birthday today away from her family for the first time. We are so fortunate to have a colleague/friend as wonderful as her.

Hanwool, you have contributed so much in a very short period of time. We hope that you will take advantage of your time in the U.S. to travel across the country and see the rich diversity of our geography and culture. We know that you will be successful wherever you go.

With our warm wishes for a very happy birthday!

Your WTC Delaware Family
The increasingly complex global economic environment is creating challenges to businesses and individuals alike. What policy measures and structural reforms are leading nations putting into place to mitigate risk and alleviate pressure? How are public and private sector entities operating and collaborating to stabilize and grow economies at home and abroad? Join British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia in-person on Thursday, March 16th from 5:00 – 7:00 pm EST to learn what to expect during the remainder of this year, and to better plan and manage business and personal financial decisions in 2023 and beyond.
 
This timely event will feature government officials and industry leaders and will include interactive discussion to assist you in your planning needs. Guests will have an opportunity to ask questions and network. Space is limited. Don’t delay, register today!
 
Click HERE to reserve your seat and visit their website for a complete listing of all upcoming BABCPHL activities.
TRADE LEADS & TENDERS
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


HIGHLIGTS OF WTC DELAWARE EVENTS
Mar 8
WTC Delaware Board Meeting

Mar 27

Apr 23-28

May 3

May 17
WTC Delaware Board Meeting

May 18

Jul 12
WTC Delaware Board Meeting

Sep 20
WTC Delaware Board Meeting

Nov 15
WTC Delaware Board Meeting
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting an economic climate that strengthens the competitiveness of Delaware businesses and benefits citizens of the state. Founded in 1837 as the Wilmington Board of Trade, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce has a long history as the largest, most influential business organization in the state.

OUR OTHER PARTNERS
PARTNER EVENTS
MEMBER BENEFIT SPOTLIGHT
MEMBER RATES:
STANDARD - $475 (1-49 employees), $825 (50-99 employees), $1,375 (100+ employees)

PREMIER - $2,675

STUDENT - $100

Email us to learn how you can become a member!

If you are a current member of WTC Delaware, please be sure to post the WTC Delaware logo on your web page and link it to our website. Let the world know you are part of a global community!
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIP
Negotiating an Export Sale: A Video Introduction

Explore your options for pricing, methods of payment, and financing for your foreign buyers.

In order to price your product properly and give accurate quotations, you need to determine your costs using three key elements: choosing the terms of the sale, selecting the payment method, and calculating taxes and tariffs.

WEEKLY INT'L JOB POSTS
OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYERS AND JOB SEEKERS

Weekly International Job Posts: The latest 300 job opportunities posted on DevelopmentAid

To view all the up-to-date jobs, please click the link below:

World Trade Center® Delaware is the State’s premier international business resource. We help companies, especially small, medium-sized and emerging enterprises, to grow their international business. We provide trade leads, training programs, job leads, networking, matchmaking, trade mission and reverse trade mission opportunities for Delaware companies. We serve all types of companies in various sectors including agriculture, environmental remediation, IT, medical equipment manufacturing, biopharmaceuticals, financial, legal and real estate services.  For more information visit us at www.wtcde.com.
World Trade Center Delaware
42 Reads Way, Suite B
New Castle, DE 19720
ph: 302-656-7905
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