Timeline

1991

Inaugural York County International Network Meeting. All-volunteer organization starts offering education programs

1992

Part time events coordinator hired to support the fledgling membership organization

1993

Columbus Initiative launched to introduce new-to-export companies to foreign markets with support from organization members

1994

First Golf Extravaganza

1996

York County International Network becomes an independent affiliate of MANTEC, Inc., hires first full time director and expands coverage, changes name to Southcentral Pennsylvania International Network (SPIN).

1997

SPIN incorporates as a 501 (c) (6) non-profit membership organization. Board of Directors and Advisory Council named. SPIN and US Department of Commerce host first regional World Trade Week Celebration.

1998

SPIN named as Regional Coordinator for the Team Pennsylvania Export Network~Southcentral Region, becomes regional point of contact for all State sponsored export assistance services.

1999

SPIN receives Governor’s Export Excellence Award

2000

SPIN organizes the “Pennsylvania” exhibit at DRUPA, the world’s largest trade show for print media, held in Germany every 4 years
SPIN organizes “International E-Commerce” Conference starting off the first of what is to become an annual international trade conference

2001

SPIN celebrates 10th Anniversary, birthday bash features Terri Morrison, author of “Kiss, Bow and Shake Hands” as keynote speaker

Organizes “Pennsylvania” exhibit at the K Fair, a global trade show for the plastics and rubber industry

2002

Successfully pursues World Trade Centers Association application
Changes name to World Trade Center of Central Pennsylvania with unveiling during a luncheon “Peace and Stability Through Trade”, featuring Guy Tozzoli, founder of the World Trade Centers Association

2003

Hosts Hospitality Suite for international visitors to the Pennsylvania Farm Show

2004

Launches annual Global Economic Outlook luncheon

2005

Publisher of Forbes, Rich Karlgaard, is featured speaker at annual “Reaching Your Global Customers” conference

First offering of “Export Controls” seminar with the Bureau of Industry and Security in southcentral Pennsylvania

2006

Over 20 foreign embassies represented at WTC annual conference in Lancaster

For more highlights and achievements, please view the annual review 2006-2007

2008

WTC becomes active on social media sites with Myspace, Linkedin, Twitter, and Facebook pages

“Local Companies, Global Connections” supplement to Central Penn Business Journal published and distributed worldwide

For more highlights and achievements, please view the annual review 2006-2007

2009

Newly updated and vastly expanded website launched

Organizes “Pennsylvania” exhibit at ANUGA, world’s largest trade show for the food and beverage industry

Seminars promoting southcentral Pennsylvania as a business location offered in Cologne, Germany during the ANUGA trade show

Promotes southcentral Pennsylvania to a global audience at the PackExpo show in Las Vegas

For more highlights and achievements, please view the annual overview 2008-2009

2010

Hosted Kenyan Ambassador to the US for roundtable discussion

Attended the WTCA member seminar and met WTC colleagues from around the world

Offered a record number of programs in one year

2011

Celebrated our 20th year as an organization

2012

Organized the 1st PA Pavilion at the Fancy Food Show

Hosted German trade delegation

Offered first foreign language course: Mandarin Level 1 and 2

2013

Launched outreach offices in Chambersburg, Harrisburg and Reading

Began offering Certificates of Free Sale

First Partnered with York County Economic Alliance for the International Business and Workforce Expo

Organized the 2nd PA Pavilion at the Fancy Food Show

Began as a supporting partner for Core PA Global (initiative created by the Make It In America Grant)

For more highlights and achievements, please view the annual review 2012- 2013

2014

Partnered again with York County Economic Alliance for the International Business and Workforce Expo

Expanded and refined scope of internship program

Organized the 3rd PA Pavilion at the Fancy Food Show

Finalized “The Impact of Trade” report

Our Board of Directors launched the “WTC Harrisburg Building Committee”

For more highlights and achievements, please view the annual review 2013-2014

2015

Finalized “The Movement of Freight” and “Annual Analysis of Southcentral PA Metro Area Exports” reports

Organized the 4th PA Pavilion at the Fancy Food Show

Earned “basic certification” by the World Trade Centers Association in the areas of Reciprocity, International Trade Information Services, International Trade Education and inbound and outbound Group Trade Missions.