Greetings, CWIT Members and Friends - I hope you enjoyed your holidays and are ready for an exciting new year! Trade promotion-wise, there are lots of planned events and activities coming up that you may find of interest, these inlcude trade missions to Europe, China, Chile and South Africa, Tools for Trade training sessions, a trade conference on Canada, meetings with visiting U.S. commercial officials posted in Singapore and South Africa, trade finance seminars (how to get paid quickly and fully), the South Carolina International Trade Conference here in Charleston, a seminar on "Finding and Managing International Trade Representatives", and, of course, CWIT's January event where Dr. Albert E. Parish, Director of Center for Economic Forecasting at Charleston Southern University, presented the “Economic Outlook for 2005: a Global, National, and State Perspectives”. I look forward to seeing you at some or all of these other events, and if you need further information, just ask me at CWIT's next meeting or send me an email at: [email protected].
-- Ann Watts, Chair

Not only is Charleston Freight Station built on the principle of isolating a need in a growing industry and going full-throttle to fill that need, they recognized the need to become the primary sponsor of CWIT's 2005 Annual Banquet, one of Charleston's most exciting and well attended trade events!
-- Sandra Klein, Fundraising Chair

The 2005 Annual Banquet scheduled for Tuesday evening, April 12 is rapidly approaching. Interest and support for CWIT in Charleston and throughout the state of SC has been phenomenal! Business and academic leaders are now asking CWIT, "How can I help? What can I do to be more involved?" Participation in the banquet through attendance and sponsorship is the key toward supporting CWIT's mission. The banquet has grown from a small, intimate group of 60 in its inaugural year to an expected attendance of 250 this year. Sponsors are prominently showcased during the evening and the banquet is our way of saying "thanks" to all of our generous supporters. Our keynote speaker, Daniel W. Christman is delivering the perfect mix of patriotism, international expertise, leadership, and presentation finesse and will deliver a speech on the "Global Economy: The Need For American Leadership". It will be a highly charged, pleasurable evening for the international trade community. You won't want to miss it!
-- Pam Everitt, Annual Banquet Chair

The board voted to renew chapter membership to CWIT's parent organization, the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) since membership continues to bring broader access to global issues and opportunities beyond than which CWIT can achieve on its own. Visit OWIT on the web at www.owit.org. If you are a member of CWIT and wish to access OWIT's "membership only" pages, click [email protected] to send an e-mail to request CWIT's chapter password.
-- Jackie Adamson, OWIT Representative

Garcia Edgerton Williams
Account Manager
WW Grainger, Inc.

Background Garcia Williams is a sales & marketing professional with over 25 years of diversified experience in developing and leading sales, market growth and general management. The majority of her professional experience has been with Xerox Corp.; she was also employed by UPS and is currently employed by WW Grainger, Inc. here in the Charleston area. As an Account Manager with Grainger, Garcia is responsible for the development and generation of incremental revenue. Her territory is comprised of a variety of industries, among the area plants within her responsibility are Nucor Steel, APM Terminals, Maersk and International Paper. Ms. Williams is a graduate of The University of Maryland; she also completed a Women’s Management Program at Smith College in Northampton, MA and her graduate studies at The American University in Washington DC, earned her a Masters in Information Systems.

Recent Accomplishments Garcia’s commitment to excellence resulted in a stellar sales performance and recognition as the #1 Account Manager for Grainger in the Charleston District for 2004. Her hobbies and interests include training for and participating in the Annual Cooper Bridge Run, reading, bicycling, cooking, theater, and recently, golf. She is happily married to Sidney Williams, Jr. and they are both members of Morris Street Baptist Church in Charleston.

Affiliations: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Charleston Alumnae Chapter – Life Member, Committee Co-Chair and Committee Member, NAACP, Charleston Leadership Foundation – Annual Prayer Breakfast Committee, Habitat for Humanity Volunteer, Charleston County Public Schools – Mentor, CWIT Membership Chair

RickWen, VP of Business Development and Public Affairs for OOCL, presented an overview of China’s economic and international trade growth in relation to OOCL at CWIT’s November 9th meeting. China’s primary method of moving finished goods cargo is via truck, and is the most frequently used mode of transportation for commercial cargo as well. China’s second largest mode of transportation for commercial freight is rail, with the 2nd largest rail system in the world next to the U.S. One of the most innovative projects China is working on is the Three Gorges Project, a hydro-development project producing comprehensive benefits mainly in flood control, power generation, navigation, water diversion and environment protection. This consists of two dams, two power plants and navigation facilities. CWIT thanks Steve Wen for giving CWIT a snapshot of trade in China.
-- Tameika Anderson, Publicity Committee Member

February 8: Andrew Rudman, Director, NAFTA & Inter American Affairs at the US Department of Commerce will present the “Current State of NAFTA: Achievements After 10-Years & What Lies Ahead” at CWIT's Tuesday, February 8, 2005, luncheon meeting at the Radisson Airport Hotel, 5991 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29406, starting at 11:45 AM. Cost: $20.00 members/$25.00 non-members.

March 8: Sean Kittrell, Assistant U.S. Attorney will present an overview of Operation Seahawk at CWIT's Tuesday, March 8, 2005 field trip event to the former Charleston Naval Shipyard, starting at 11:45 AM. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited. Cost: $20.00 members/$25.00 non-members.

April 12: Keynote Speaker Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Daniel W. Christman, Senior Vice President for International Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will deliver a speech as on the "Global Economy: The Need For American Leadership" at CWIT's 3rd Annual Banquet, Tuesday Evening, April 12 at the Charleston Place Hotel in downtown Charleston. Networking and cocktails starting at 6:00 pm and dinner at 7:00 pm. Cost is $75.00. Sponsorship Opportunities are available.

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