May 2005
Volume 2, Number 10 
CWIT Sponsors
From the Chair

Dear CWIT Members and Friends – With the completion of our wonderfully successful Annual Banquet on April 12th, CWIT has begun a new program year. Since the founding of our organization in 2001, we have featured the April Annual Banquet as the culmination of our annual cycle of programs and events. However, this year, 2005, we are transitioning to a calendar year schedule. We will keep our Annual Banquet in April, which seems to work well for most of us, but begin our program year in January, beginning in 2006. The reason for this is accounting ease for both CWIT and members and consistency with our parent entity, the Organization of Women in International Trade. The most immediate effect of the change will be a lessening of the dues for this year, as we prorate the amount over the remaining months of 2005.

Soon you will be receiving dues invoices from CWIT for the 2005 Program Year. The amount for regular membership will be $34, covering the period from May through December 2005. Details on dues categories can be viewed in the column to the left.

CWIT cannot exist without the support of its members, whose enthusiasm and ideas are the foundation of our organization. I look forward to your continued participation as members of CWIT in the coming years. Best Regards.
-- Ann Watts, USDOC/Export Assistance Center,CWIT Chairperson
Featured Company

CWIT member company and sponsor, the SC State Ports Authority, reports on Trade Lanes - Port of Charleston Breaking Records! Already the nation's fourth largest container port, the Port of Charleston continues to post record numbers. In 2004, the port handled 1.86 million TEUs, a 10% increase over 2003. In the first quarter of CY05, volumes were up 12%.

It's really no wonder why these volumes keep growing. More than 40 ocean carriers connect Charleston with 140 countries around the world. The SC Department of Commerce reports that 847 South Carolina companies, representing each of the 46 counties, regularly ship through state port facilities. And there are more on the way. For example, Union Underwear Inc. just announced it will build a distribution center in Berkeley County. A new bill making its way through the state General Assembly could lead to even more growth. House Bill 3885, the International Trade Incentive Plan, was passed in the House in April and is currently being heard in the Senate. To access the bill online, visit www.scstatehouse.net.
-- Allison Skipper, SC State Ports Authority, Publicity Committee
The New American City

On May 10, 2005, CWIT will bring you John Knott, President and Co-Founder of the Noisette Company. Mr Knott will present on the Noisette Project, hailed as the nation's largest sustainable urban redevelopment – approximately 3,000 acres overall – encompassing the former Charleston Navy Base and the historic core of the City of North Charleston. The Noisette Project is truly unique, bringing elements of environmentally-sustainable designs into one project that includes commercial, residential, and non-profit initiatives into a public-private venture that portends the creation of new approach to urban revitalization for cities throughout the United States. Join us at CWIT's next luncheon meeting to learn about the connection the Noisette Project has with the international trade community. The Noisette Company is on the web at: www.noisettesc.com.
-- Jacky Sassard, SC State Ports Authority, Publicity Chair
A Big Thank You

A big thank you to all of our Banquet sponsors and Silent Auction Donors! The banquet's success and future of our organization greatly benefit from your generous support. A special thank you to Charleston Freight Station for their contribution, not only financially, but also as CWIT's partner throughout the banquet evening and year.
-- Sandra Klein, Berlitz Language Center, Fundraising Chair
OWIT Update

I'm so proud to have the opportunity to be your OWIT representative and to represent our CWIT, at the OWIT Spring Board Meeting, April 27 –29, 2005. The general focus of this board meeting will be more on long-term planning, with specific emphasis on certain functions. Discussions and hopefully, decisions will be made on the visioning, segmentation, and corporate identity. We'll summarize OWIT goals for 2005-2007 and define the steps for building our marketing communications model that will improve over time, with input from other OWIT chapters. I'll be anxious to give you a report upon my return. Again, thank you for the confidence you have placed in me to represent our fine organization.
-- Jackie Adamson, Roanoke Trade Services, OWIT Representative
Soirée A Huge Success


This year's Annual Banquet event, a " Soirée at the Charles Towne Exchange" was held on April 12, 2005 at the elegant Charleston Place Hotel in downtown Charleston. The evening included a full program of events, opening with a networking cocktail hour and silent auction, accompanied with music provided by local pianist, Bill Purcell. Bidding at the “Shop the Exchange” silent auction was very energetic right up until the dinner bell was sounded - - CWIT appreciates the largesse of the item donors and the bid winners who left the banquet with fabulous merchandise and services!

Attendees enjoyed a dinner of filet mignon and jumbo shrimp while the School of the Arts High School String Quartet provided background music. During dessert, CWIT Past Chair Jackie Adamson presented the annual CWIT scholarship awards, which were given to Jessica Shuler, a student at Clemson University and Bradley Whitley from the College of Charleston. Ms. Adamson followed the scholarship awards presentation with CWIT's Woman of the Year award, granted to Anne Moïse in recognition of her many contributions to the SC State Ports Authority and to the international trade community.

The banquet's keynote speaker was General Dan Christman, who is the senior VP for international affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce. General Christman delivered a powerful, informed speech describing the global influences of economics, politics and security upon US international trade. CWIT members and guests valued the viewpoint of this accomplished, respected leader and appreciated his presence at our event. Thanks to our Chair Ann Watts, member Amy Thomas, and Leslie Schweitzer, Senior Trade Advisor US Chamber of Commerce for arranging General Christman's appearance as keynote speaker.
-- Susan Ogren, Publicity Co-chair
Featured Member
Colleen Bosch
Customs Specialist
Charleston Freight Station, Inc.

Background: A native of Minnesota and graduate of the University of Sioux Falls, Colleen moved to the lowcountry in 1998. She has a BA in Business Management and graduate credits towards her MBA. Colleen worked in the transportation industry in South Dakota before joining the staff of Charleston Freight Station (CFS). Charleston Freight hosts the Central Examination Station for US Customs and Border Protection, and Colleen has served as the Customs Specialist for seven years. She effectively serves as the liaison between CBP Inspectors, CFS’s workforce, and the maritime community in Charleston. Her efficiency and good nature have made her a favorite of a large number of CBP inspectors during their stay at the CES. Colleen has been a member of CWIT for less than a year, but has enthusiastically embraced the organization, serving on both the Banquet and the Membership Committees. The mother of two sons, Colleen lives in Mt. Pleasant with her husband Wayne, and the family is actively involved in Seacoast Church ministries.

Other Accomplishments: Oversees the billing and collection department of CFS; Nursery School Supervisor; Co-owner of Complete Music; Mother of two and Grandmother of one.

Affiliations: CWIT, Membership and Banquet Committees, Mt. Pleasant Business Association.
--Garcia Williams, WW Grainger, Membership Chair
Mark Your Calendar
May 10: John Knott, President and Co-Founder of the Noisette Company, will present the “The New American City” at CWIT’s Tuesday, May 10, 2005, luncheon meeting at the Radisson Airport Hotel, 5991 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29406, starting at 11:45 AM. Cost: $20 members/$25 non-members.

June 14: Dalhi Myers, Attorney, Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, will present the "Women in International Business (What They Don't Tell You in School)" at CWIT’s Tuesday, June 14, 2005, luncheon meeting at the Radisson Airport Hotel, 5991 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29406, starting at 11:45 AM. Cost: $20 members/$25 non-members.

RSVP via email: [email protected] or by phone: 803.737.0488. For additional information visit CWIT on the web at www.cwitsc.org.
-- Margie Hardwick, OOCL, Programs Chair
A special thank you to our sponsors:
SC State Ports Authority, Charleston Freight Station, Robert Bosch Corporation, Berlitz Language Center, Roanoke Trade Services,OOCL, Morgan Stanley, Printing Quest
To become a CWIT sponsor today, send an email to:
Sandra Klein
Berlitz Language Center
Fundraising Chair
CWIT Dues Now Due
CWIT has adjusted its program year to run Jan thru Dec. Dues have been prorated for May thru Dec, 2005, and are now due for the follows:
- $34/member
- $17/student & retired
- $80/corporate dues for three memberships plus $27/additional members. Invoices will be available at the May meeting or to request a copy, send an email to:
Frankie Bryson
Bosch Corporation
Treasurer
New Members
Welcome new member, Kristy Franco Hepfer, Hammes Staffing Services
To join CWIT today, send an email to:
Garcia Williams
WW Grainger
Membership Chair
Check-It-Out
The US Chamber of Commerce has a staff of experts—lawyers, policy specialists, and lobbyists — that make up the world's largest not-for-profit business federation whose jobs are to represent the unified interests of US business home and abroad. Visit them on the web at:
www.uschamber.com
Pam Everitt
SC State Ports Authority
Vice Chair
OWIT on the Web
CWIT is a chapter of the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT), on the web at www.owit.org. If you are a CWIT member and wish to access OWIT "members only" pages, send an email to [email protected] with a request for CWIT's chapter password.
Jackie Adamson
Roanoke Trade Services
OWIT Representative
Board Members
Chair
Ann Watts
USDOC/Export
Assistance Center
ann.watts
@mail.doc.gov
Vice Chair
Pam Everitt
SC State Ports Authority
[email protected]

TREASURER
Frankie Bryson
Bosch Corporation
frankie.bryson@
us.bosch.com

SECRETARY
Lynn Anne Christensen
Morgan Stanley
lynn.anne.christensen@
morganstanley.com

VICE SECRETARY
Jacky Sassard
SC State Ports Authority
[email protected]

MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Pam Zaresk
US Customs and Border Protection
[email protected]

ARRANGEMENTS
Erin Firestone
IDEA
erinfirestone
@ideallc.com

Awards/
Scholarship
Jackie Adamson
Roanoke Trade Services
jadamson@
roanoketrade.com

BYLAWS
Pam Everitt
SC State Ports Authority
[email protected]

COMMUNICATIONS
English Struth
SC State Ports Authority
[email protected]

FUNDRAISING
Sandra Klein
Berlitz Language Center
[email protected]

FINANCE
Frankie Bryson
Bosch Corporation
frankie.bryson@
us.bosch.com

HISTORIAN
Katrina Preston
OOCL
katrina.preston
@oocl.com

PAST CHAIR
Jackie Adamson
Roanoke Trade Services
jadamson@
roanoketrade.com

MEMBERSHIP
Garcia Williams
WW Grainger
 garciawilliams
@yahoo.com

PROGRAMS
Margie Hardwick
OOCL
margie.hardwick
@oocl.com

PUBLICITY
Jacky Sassard
SC State Ports Authority
[email protected]

OWIT
REPRESENTATIVE
Jackie Adamson
Roanoke Trade Services
 jadamson@
roanoketrade.com

OWIT
ALTERNATE REP
Ann Watts
USDOC/Export
Assistance Center
ann.watts
@mail.doc.gov
OWIT Conference
World Conference, Nov 2-4, 2005, in Copenhagen, Denmark. For the most updated information visit www.owitdenmark.dk
Jackie Adamson
Roanoke Trade Service
OWIT Representative
News Archive
View past editions of the "CWIT Perspective" online at: www.newsletters.asp
Jacky Sassard
SC State Ports Authority
Publicity Chair
Bylaws
View CWIT's Bylaws online at: www.cwitsc.org
/documents/bylaws.pdf
Pam Everitt
SC State Ports Authority
Bylaws Chair
Contact CWIT
Mail: PO Box 20145 Charleston, SC
29413 USA
Email address: [email protected]
Web: www.cwitsc.org
English Struth
SC State Ports Authority
Communications Chair