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World Trade Council of Middle Tennessee (WTC) The World Trade Council of Middle Tennessee was formed over 25 years ago to promote participation in international trade by local business interests. Its activities aim at developing better techniques in the handling of export and import operations, obtaining and disseminating knowledge of matters pertaining to international trade. Membership in WTC is open to any individual, corporation, or public or private organization, on a corporate or individual basis. The WTC is governed by a Board of Directors which meets twice each year. WTC activities include monthly dinner meetings featuring speakers who address themes dealing with international trade. Two big events bring out large crowds: the annual summer party in July and the Ports and Flags Banquet in the fall. The latter is jointly organized with the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. Because Nashville is a hub for transportation in the southeast region, many of the members of the WTC are engaged in the freight forwarding business. The WTC annually awards Scholarships to university students who have competed in an essay competition on international themes. For the sixth year in a row, TSU students have captured at least one place in the competition, and on two occasions have won both first and second. Awards are presented at the WTC Ports and Flags Banquet. Click here for our 2006 group picture. 2006 Essay Competition Winners For 2006, the First Place Winner and recipient of a $2,500 scholarship was Mr. Alan Enzo, a Master of Business Administration Candidate here at TSU. Mr. Enzo will be finishing up his MBA in Spring 2007. He will continue his graduate studies toward a PhD and eventually plans to teach Master's-level Business courses as well as working in the areas of Higher Education Policy and Administration. Click here to read his winning essay! Mr. Enzo's essay will be published in the academic journal: "Nashville Area Business and Economic Review - 2007", published by TSU's Office of Business and Economic Research. Also for 2006, Third Place Winner and recipient of a $1000 scholarship was Ms. Susan Lynn. Click here to read her winning essay! Finally for 2006, Third Place Tie winner was Mr. William Clements. Click here to read his winning essay! In 2005, First place winner and recipient of a $2000 scholarship was Mr. James A. Patton, Jr., a senior majoring in Economics and Finance. James currently serves as an intern with New York Life Insurance Co. and plans to make the financial services and insurance industry his career. Click here to read his winning essay! In 2005, Second place winner and recipient of a $1000 scholarship was Mr. Russell Harrison, Master’s degree student in Agriculture. Mr. Harrison is pursuing a degree in Agribusiness with an emphasis in biotechnology and plans to pursue a career in the biotech field. Click here to read his winning essay! In 2004, second prize went to Mr. Andre Moore, who addressed the assigned topic: “Election 2004: The Impact on World Trade.” In 2003, second prize went to Mr. Anis Mnif, MBA Student in the College of Business and Graduate Assistant in the Office of International Business Programs. In 2002, second prize went to Mr. Pius Imafidon. TSU is proud of this distinction. An MBA student, Mohammed Aletiwi, completed an internship with the WTC which involved working on the WTC membership database. In 2001, first prize ($2500) went to Ms. Jackie Ojuka-Onedo, MBA student and graduate assistant in the Office of International Business Programs, while second prize ($1500) went to Ms. Nomphumelelo Dlamini, undergraduate student in the College of Business.
Nashville Area International Business Center (NAIBC)
The combined resources of the Nashville Area International Business Center (NAIBC) offer a range of programs to assist both novice and experienced exporters in establishing, developing and maintaining their presence in global markets. Partners:
Associates:
Since 2001, NAIBC and its partners have initiated a
comprehensive effort to promote international trade called Go
International. According to the United States Department of
Commerce, every billion dollars of U.S. exports supports 20,000
American jobs paying on average 17% more than equivalent jobs
unrelated to exports. Statewide, this metric equates to over
200,000 Tennessee jobs dependent on exports with around 80,000
of them in the mid-state. The faster international business
growth from middle Tennessee can expand, the faster more quality
jobs can be added to secure the economic future of the region.
The Go International Campaign is designed to help accelerate
international business growth.
Go International doesn't stop at simply selling companies on the benefits of conducting international business. Participating companies have access to a portfolio of services to assist them in all stages of successfully exploring and assessing potential and entering international markets. Important in this portfolio is "peer to peer" access to some of the region's most successful international companies. Go International not only focuses on the promotion of exports but embraces all aspects of international business including importing and foreign direct investment. Campaign services are facilitated by the Nashville Area International Business Center and delivered by the combined strengths of public and private sector organizations committed to the economic success of the middle Tennessee region.
The Go International campaign features several events throughout the year, designed to help companies connect and engage with the region's international business community and access available resources. These include networking receptions for both new and experienced exporters, a year round seminar program offering a basic training in the fundamentals of international business, and "business to business" conferences held during the spring and fall. These events have as their purpose to allow Nashville area companies to share their experience and successes in international business, and to provide a vehicle for and encourage networking among companies transacting or potentially transacting international business. Trade Missions of Middle Tennessee firms travel abroad to meet first hand with prospective business partners. Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce (International Business Council) The International Business Council (IBC) is comprised of Middle Tennessee firms and organizations that promote or are engaged in international trade. The IBC's mission is to promote economic growth in Middle Tennessee by encouraging and assisting local businesses to expand into international markets through bilateral international trade. IBC membership is open to any company, organization or individual and is free of charge. The IBC organizes a program of events providing opportunities for networking with the international business community and including international business education. Such events usually take the form of breakfasts or luncheons with keynote speakers, seminars, receptions and other networking opportunities. In addition, the IBC will organize outbound trade missions and assist in hosting inbound missions. OIBP staff and TSU students have been active in collaboration with the Chamber in a variety of activities. The OIBP Director has served on the IBC Board of Directors for three years and regularly takes part in IBC initiatives. Inbound Trade Mission Project (2000) In the summer of 2000, OIBP recruited 11 interns from the College of Business to work on a project coordinated by John Butler, the Chamber's Manager of Trade Development. The focus of the project was to assess the interest in hosting inbound trade missions from other countries. It consisted of a survey of Middle Tennessee firms to determine their level of interest. Many of the entities that would eventually be participants in Go International were involved in the survey: Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce The list of companies was then divided among the 11 students, with each one responsible for 152 to contact. The students developed a web site describing the project and allowing companies to respond on line. Each student devoted 8 hours a week to the project and received three hours of academic credit for participation in the survey. Although the results of the survey were quite modest, and the anticipated fee service did not materialize, this was a good opportunity for TSU students to be involved in practical research and to make a contribution to the promotion of international trade in Middle Tennessee. Several other TSU students who have completed internships with the Chamber and its partner organization are profiles in the section on Internships. Contact: John Butler, Manager Trade Development, Commercial Service of U.S. Department of Commerce The Commercial Service is the global business solutions unit of the U.S. Department of Commerce. It offers U.S. companies the following services: knowledge of markets and industries; a unique global network, inventive use of information technology; a focus on small and mid-sized businesses, and the clout and cachet of the U.S. government. The service helps businesses compete and win in the global marketplace. The Commercial Service is the premier global business solutions provider of the Department of Commerce, a dedicated global organization committed to achieving customer satisfaction. The Service attempts to provide a range of customer services: meeting and exceeding client expectations and cultivating repeat and loyal customers. The U.S. Commercial Service claims to be the best source of customized solutions for U.S. business to compete and win in the global marketplace. TSU student interns have worked
with Middle Tennessee firms that requested firm-level assistance
of the Commercial Service. They are also profiled in the section
on Internships. Contact: Mr. Dean Peterson,
Director of the Nashville Commercial Service, International Trade Center, Tennessee Small Business Development Center (ITC-TSBDC) The International Trade Center-ITC is an additional statewide service of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center network. ITC works with local chambers of commerce and trade promotion organizations to inform and train businesses interested in establishing export markets for their products and services. ITC provides personal confidential consulting to Tennessee businesses that are interested in exporting/importing. As part of the TSBDC system, ITC does not charge for its counseling services. ITC consultants are available to assist any Tennessee business with its international projects. Counseling includes information on basic exporting/importing techniques and procedures, how to research markets, how to find trade leads and also on sources of export loans for businesses which qualify. TSU students have worked with the International Trade Specialist in the Nashville office of the ITC, assisting clients on a one-on-one basis to develop or expand their international markets. Contact: Mr. Patrick Spence,
Director,
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Office of International
Business Programs, Tennessee State University, 330 Tenth Avenue
North, Suite K-45, Nashville, TN 37203
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