Greetings to CWIT Members and Friends! This year, October will witness the closing days of intense national and state political campaigns, and soon we will be making a choice among presidential and senatorial candidates, a choice that will, needless to say, affect our lives and livelihoods for years to come. International trade is a key political issue, among several others. I encourage each of you to do your duty as a good citizen and study the issues that face our country before making your choices. One of CWIT’s missions is about education, based on a belief that knowledge leads to opportunity and advancement. If, when you leave the voting booth in November, you know that you’ve done the best you can to make an informed, intelligent choice, then our country and state will be the better for it.
-- Ann Watts, CWIT Chair

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Erin Beth Firestone
Traffic / Office Manager
IDEA, LLC -- 3PL, distribution, and warehousing

Background: Erin Moved to Charleston in 1997 to attend the College of Charleston. In 1999 participated in a study abroad program at the University of Madrid in Spain from where she also traveled to Portugal, France, Holland, Belgium and Italy. Graduated in 2000 from the College of Charleston with a B.A. in Spanish and a minor in International Business. After working with migrant families as a translator and family partnership worker for a non profit organization on John’s Island, Erin came to work for IDEA, LLC in the fall of 2000. Over the last four years she has worn many hats at IDEA; accounting, customer service, and translating, just to name a few responsibilities. Traffic of southbound containers for customers with production facilities in Central America has been her main responsibility. As of recently, Erin has been working more closely with existing and new IDEA customers as well as on issues at the operational level. In July of 2004, Erin spent a week in Central America visiting and working at the IDEA facilities in Honduras and El Salvador for the first time. In her free time Erin enjoys gardening, yoga, and volunteering at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Accomplishments: As part of an effort to create small business cost savings for her company, Erin recently worked with the South Carolina Department of Commerce’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development to create a Revitalization Agreement and implement a Job Development Credits Program for IDEA. Erin has also enjoyed actively working on the CWIT Banquet committee for the 2004 banquet and the upcoming 2005 banquet.

Affiliations: CWIT Member and Arrangements
Committee member; State of South Carolina Notary Public

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Tim Dangerfield, Cheif of Staff of South Carolina Department of Commerce spoke at CWIT’s monthly meeting September 14, 2004, where he gave an overview of the functions and responsibilities of the department since its restructuring and streamlining a year ago. There are four key areas: Business Development, Business Solutions, Recycling, and SC Film Commission. Business Development is responsible for jobs and investment. Business Solutions is dedicated to assisting businesses that already exist in SC. Recycling assists companies with all aspects of recycling such as finding a market for recyclable goods outside of SC. South Carolina Film Commission is constantly working to attract feature films, commercials and catalogue photo shoots to South Carolina. Mr. Dangerfield and his team of trade professionals clearly are working for the ultimate goal of increasing import and exports for SC which ultimately will boost the the state's economy. CWIT thanks him for an in depth overview of resources the South Carolina Department of Commerce has to offer.
-- Tameika Anderson, CWIT Publicity Committee

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On November 10-12, 2004, delegates from around the world will gather in Tampa, Florida to explore the integral link between international trade and security. Conference sessions will highlight a range of approaches, in both the private and public sectors, for complying with regulatory challenges while continuing or growing cost efficiency, and global reach. Whether through leading edge regulatory compliance tools, sales and marketing techniques, enhanced government policies, improved education, or increased regional competition for investment and skilled workers, global trade can drive growth and creativity without compromising security. Details about the conference can be found at www.tbwit.org/conf_details.cfm

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Project Vote Smart, a citizen's organization, has developed a Voter's Self-Defense system to provide you with the necessary tools to self-govern effectively: abundant, accurate, unbiased and relevant information. As a national library of factual information, Project Vote Smart covers the candidates and elected officials in five basic categories: biographical information, issue positions, voting records, campaign finances and interest group ratings. Research issues at Project Vote Smart: www.vote-smart.org

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October 12: Fred Malone, Certified Financial Planner, Trident Financial Group LLC, will speak at CWIT’s Tuesday, October 12, 2004 luncheon and professional development seminar at the Radisson Airport Hotel, 5991 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29406, starting at 11:45 AM.

November 9: Rick Wen, Vice President of Business Development of OOCL Inc., will speak at CWIT’s Tuesday, November 9, 2004 luncheon meeting at the Radisson Airport Hotel, 5991 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29406, starting at 11:45 AM.

December 3: Annual CWIT Board of Directors Retreat.

January 11: Albert E. Parish, Jr., Ph.D.,Director, Center for Economic Forecasting Charleston Southern University will speak at CWIT’s January 11, 2005, luncheon and professional development seminar at the Radisson Airport Hotel, 5991 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29406, starting at 11:45 AM.

RSVP via email: [email protected] or by phone: 803.737.0488. For more information visit CWIT on the web at: www.cwitsc.org