Author: World Trade Center Harrisburg

Posted by: Hannah Copenheaver


The World Trade Center Harrisburg partnered for the 5th year with Pennsylvania’s Office of International Business Development in organizing the Pennsylvania Pavilion at the 62nd annual Summer Fancy Food Show.


The show was held at the Javits Convention Center in New York City from June 26-28, 2016.


The Fancy Food Show is North America’s largest show for the specialty food and beverage industry and attracts a large number of foreign buyers.


This Year’s Show Recap:


– This year was the largest since the show’s 1954 inception.
– More than 47,000 specialty food professionals filled the exhibit halls (equal to 6 football fields).
– There were over 2,670 exhibitors, from over 55 countries, displaying their delicious foods!
– Nearly 60 Pennsylvanian companies exhibited throughout the show.

Neilly’s Foods

Pennsylvania Pavilion: 

Giorgio Foods Inc. (Temple – Southcentral Region)

Little Baby’s Ice Cream

Irenes’s Bakery & Gourmet Kitchen (Bensalem – Southeast Region)

Little Baby’s Ice Cream (Philadelphia – Southeast Region)

Love Beets (Bala Cynwyd – Southeast Region)

My Boy’s Baking (Allentown – Lehigh Valley Region)

Naked Granola (State College – Central Region)

Neilly’s Foods (York – Southcentral Region)

Sweet Note Bakery

Nuts About Granola  (York – Southcentral Region)

Pretzel Pete (SB Global Foods, Inc.) (Montgomeryville – Southeast Region)

Posted by: Hannah Copenheaver

World Trade Center Harrisburg partner CORE PA Global hosted a tour for seven journalists to showcase Pennsylvania companies involved in the mining, oil and gas field from June 13 to 17, 2016. The tour took place in the western part of the state, beginning in Berlin and ending in New Castle. Hannah accompanied the tour for the week as a Core PA Representative. 


The tour was CORE PA funded and executed, with additional support from the TEAM PA
Foundation, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), and Tierney, a public relations firm, whose services were secured through DCED. 


With the “core” region of Pennsylvania having a large, diverse manufacturing history, inviting international journalists to tour the Commonwealth is beneficial for attracting foreign direct investment into the region. They are able to gain first-hand experience, which makes for a stronger story and a lasting connection. The ultimate goal is to send a message to prospective foreign investors that Pennsylvania is a great place to do business.


The attending journalists included:

• Anthony Barich (Australia)

• International Coal News, Mining News, Mining Journal, Mining Monthly
• Gloria Towolawi (U.S)
• USA Oil and Gas Monitor
• Margaret Nongo-Okojokwu (Nigeria)
• Orient Energy Review
• Peter Darling (UK)
• Mining WorldLink, Coal International, Mining World
• Michael Reed (U.S.)
• Pipeline & Gas Journal
• Jamie Zachary (Canada)
• PROCESSWest, IPP&T
• Arun Kumar Singhal (India)
• DEW Journal

The tour featured presentations and site visits to the following industry leaders:

Hannah in the model of the shuttle that rescued the Chilean miners in 2010.

• Center Rock (Berlin)
• Provides construction, mining and quarry equipment. 
• Their equipment was used to save 33 miners trapped in Chile in 2010.
• Environmental Tank and Container (Johnstown)
• A leading manufacturer of equipment for the oil and gas industries.
• Curry Supply (Martinsburg)
• One of America’s largest manufacturers and dealers of commercial service vehicles.
• “O” Ring CNG Fuel Systems (Brookville)
• The first private compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel station in the state. 
• The owner converted 16 vehicles to be fueled by CNG, resulting in halved annual fuel costs. 
• Noise Solutions Inc. (Sharon)
• North America’s leading provider of engineered industrial noise suppression for the energy sector.
• Ezeflow Group (New Castle)
• Mostly works with carbon steel for pipeline work. 
• A successful, and strategic, move from Texas to Pennsylvania. They have invested over $5 million in the Pennsylvania site since buying the facility in 2011.

Throughout the tour, the journalists also heard keynote presentations from local partners about their respective regions’ economic development initiatives and opportunities, leaders and experts from the industry, and other complimentary companies. 

The group at Blackbird Distillery

Hard hats and boots during the ETC tour

Taking a tour of the vehicles at Curry Supply

ABOUT CORE PA:


SEDA-Council of Governments is the host organization for CORE PA Global, which is an
initiative established to increase the visibility of a 53-county footprint of Pennsylvania to
international and domestic investors. The initiative partners with over 50 economic development organizations and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to attract, retain and grow business and industry in the region. 

by WTC Guest Blogger Ted Murphy, Partner, Baker & McKenzie LLP

Posted by: Hannah Copenheaver

This year marked our 17th International Trade Conference! It was held on May 18, 2016 in Lancaster. If you missed it, you did miss another exciting and fun event, but here is a recap of what went on. 


1. The morning “Mimosa Mingle” breakfast kicked off the conference and celebrated our 25 year anniversary. Special remarks and a toast was made by WTC Vice-Chairman Adam Say (RoomMates Decor).

2. There were six sessions during the conference:

• Top Issues for Employers When Sending Employees Abroad
• presented by Jennifer Nelson & Kristi Weierbach, Stambaugh Ness
• Logistics Keeps the World Moving
• presented by Gordon Hartmann, UPS, Tom Stump, UPS, & Daniel Johnson, iGlobal Stores
• Intellectual Property Primer and International IP Considerations
• presented by Shawn Leppo, McNees Wallace & Nurick
• International Trade (Show) Secrets
• presented by Adam Say, RoomMates Decor
• Download the presentation
• Rediscovering Letters of Credit as a Trade Tool in the Strong Dollar Environment
• presented by Joe Flaim, Fulton Bank
• Download the presentation
• The Global Impact of SEO
• presented by Trevin Shirey, Webpage FX
• Download the presentation

• MRG Labs, presented by Lisa Williams 
• MRG Labs is a leader in the development of sampling and analytical techniques for in-service lubricants and maintenance monitoring. MRG provides grease sampling solutions for wind turbines, robotics, electric motors, motor operated valves and gear boxes, and pillow block bearings through their Grease Thief sampling and analysis system. Additionally, the company offers unique lubricant certification training programs that combines specialized training with hands-on learning.
• Exports What?: Grease Thief sampling kits and Grease Thief analyzers 
• To Where?!: The sampling kits can be found in 13 countries, including Spain, France, Denmark, Australia and China, and the analyzers can be found in Spain, China, Californiaand York, PA.
• Download the presentation
• Keystone Human Services International, presented by Charles Hooker
• Keystone Human Services International (KHSI) builds upon a firm tradition of individual empowerment and community restoration to provide services, programs, and support to improve the lives of children and families outside the United States. KHSI promotes strong community-based human service systems throughout Eastern Europe and beyond, bridging the cultural boundaries that have allowed the children and families of these regions to endure immense hardship largely in silence. Since 2014, KHSI has been granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nation’s Economic and Social Council for Non-Governmental Organizations.
• Exports What?: Community-based services for people with disabilities
• To Where?!: Russia, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Romania, Kazakhstan, India

4. Trade service providers and regional partners were on-hand during the Trade Exhibition to meet with companies and answer any questions they might have. 

Exhibitors included:

That’s a wrap!

Posted by: Hannah Copenheaver

On May 11, 2016, we hosted our quarterly Board of Directors meeting at the “new” World Trade Center Harrisburg location. Even though it is still under construction, that didn’t stop us! We transformed the conference room area using a few folding tables and chairs and some nice tablecloths. This allowed us to “get a feel” for what future meetings will be like! 


We also welcomed special guest, Martin Salloum, who is the new World Trade Centers Association Regional Development Manager for North America. Martin was previously the President & CEO of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and World Trade Center Edmonton for eighteen years. 

Hannah Copenheaver, Ed Kercher (WTC Chairman), Martin Salloum (WTCA), Tina Weyant

Hannah setting up the new conference room.

Design board of the new World Trade Center Harrisburg office.

By: Hannah Copenheaver

CONGRATS, TINA!

By WTC Guest Blogger Jessica Toutsis, RoomMates Décor

I had an awesome opportunity to represent World Trade Center as a judge for the Enactus regional competition in Washington, DC on March 29. For those who are unfamiliar with the organization, Enactus is an international non profit that brings together students, colleges and businesses who are committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better more sustainable world. Enactus chapters are located in colleges around the world (in 36 countries!) and each team creates community development projects centered around improving the livelihood of their respective community. 

During the Washington, DC regional competition, 47 mid-Atlantic college teams presented their projects and achievements in fifteen minutes or less. I was able to judge seven of these presentations. Nearly all had a visual presentation with pictures, infographics, testimonials, and videos. The student groups were comprised of typically four to six presenters with the rest of their teammates providing support in the audience. Teams were extremely well rehearsed and perfectly poised – even their outfits were matching! They take this competition extremely seriously. I can speak from my experience on the York College of Pennsylvania presentation team – it is no joke!

• Cairn University – Langhorne, PA
• Immaculata University – Immaculata, PA
• La Salle University – Philadelphia, PA
• Penn State Altoona – Altoona, PA
• Saint Francis University – Loretto, PA
• Saint Joseph’s University – Philadelphia, PA (Rookie of the Year)
• Wilkes University – Wilkes-Barre, PA
• York College of Pennsylvania – York, PA

By Hannah Copenheaver

On March 22, we hosted a roundtable discussion with the Mid-Atlantic Russian Business Council/Mid-Atlantic Eurasia Business Council in Harrisburg that addressed emerging business opportunities in the greater Eurasian region. 


A panel of experts discussed a variety of topics, ranging from legal, regulatory standards, and taxation, that influence the way Eurasian counties conduct business in their respective markets. 


Here is a brief overview of the speakers and their key points:


Ulf Schneider, Founder and Managing Partner, SCHNEIDER GROUP
– Eurasian Economic Union has 182.5M people, 20M sq km, and 14% of world’s land. Key concepts include the free movement of goods, services, capital and people.
– Russia continues to be the largest country in the Eurasia region, with 146 million people and $1236 billion (USD) in GDP in 2015. Their GDP is ranked at #13 in the world. 
– According to the “Doing Business Report” (2016), Ukraine presents the most challenges in the region, especially in the categories construction permits, paying taxes and paying across boarders. 
– Kazakhstan presents new opportunities, as they recently joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2015.
– In conclusion, Eurasia has a “diverse mix of different countries”click here to download the presentation

Siarhei Nahorny, Senior Counselor, Trade & Economic Affairs, Embassy of Belarus in the U.S.
– Belarus has 10 million people with $63 billion (USD) in GDP in 2015.
– The country is located in the “heart” of Eurasia, bordering Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia and Ukraine.
– Belarus has 400 enterprises with US capital investments. The US invested $90M in the country last year alone.

Elena Liaskovskai, Director, International Tax Desk – Central & Eastern Europe & Russia, PwC
– Forming a LLC is the most frequent way for a US company to set up an entity in Russiaclick here to download the presentation

Jonathan Nelms, Partner, Baker & McKenzie

– One of the largest problems in the region continues to be corruption
– Jonathan reviewed the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and its prohibited offenses, including anti-bribery, falsifying books and record keeping, and incorrect internal auditing controls.
– Some common red flags include over invoicing, unusual credits, requesting payment to a third country, extravagant gifts, among many others. Don’t do it!
click here to download the presentation

James Thomas, Assistant Vice President, Sales & Marketing, ASTM International
– Suggested forming an MOU with the local partner company to signify that you are committed to the new relationship

Tina Weyant (WTC), Elena Liaskovskai (PwC), Siarhei Nahorny (Belarus Embassy), James Thomas (ASTM), Ulf Schneider (Schneider Group), Jonathan Nelms (Baker McKenzie), Val Kogan (MARBC), Lydia Sarson (German American Chamber), Hannah Copenheaver (WTC)