National experts in international trade, local export-savvy business leaders and local government officials will speak in a series of panels Friday as part of a Sun Corridor Economic Development in the Global Economy event celebrating and discussing the benefits, challenges and nuances of exporting.
“Our region has so much to offer in terms of talent, knowledge and innovative products,” said Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton.
“The vast majority of customers are beyond our borders, and there’s potential for vast economic growth. Smart companies in our 21st century economy should be looking to export, and to do it well.
Bringing regional planning organizations together to focus on exports will help our shared economy earn a bigger share of the international market.”
Approximately 17 businesses from Pima, Pinal and Maricopa counties will be featured at the event, with Able Aerospace Services recognized as the top-scoring local exporter in Maricopa County.
In Pima, Raytheon took the top score, and in Pinal, it was Abbott.
“We are bringing the benefit of that success home," Able Aerospace Services Inc. CEO Lee Benson said.
"We have turned our global export achievements into approximately 500 well-paying local jobs, and we are supporting hundreds of vendors.”
Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, will give the keynote address, and Denis Leclerc of Thunderbird School of Global Management is expected to lead a discussion on how businesses can best adapt to cultural differences in foreign countries.
“From having my own business, I know how important it is to understand nuances of different cultures," said Eloy Mayor Joel Belloc, chair of the Sun Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization.
"This helps to build relationships. Relationships open doors to new opportunities."
The event is a product of the Sun Corridor Export Recognition Program, which was launched by the Joint Planning Advisory Council, and will be on May 19, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Acacia room of the Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino in Chandler.
The event agenda includes a session on the Sun Corridor Export Recognition Program, and panels exploring the ins-and-outs of exporting.
Source: Bizjournals.com
