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November 2005 |
Volume 2, Number 14
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Annual Sponsors |
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From the Chair
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 Dear
CWIT Members and Friends - With the holiday season beginning in
this month's calendar, most of us can expect that this usually festive time of year will be tempered with continued concern for victims of the recent disasters, particularly hurricanes Katrina and Wilma. You might be interested to know that government-supported rebuilding efforts are being designed to involve a broad spectrum of contractors and re-construction related businesses regardless of size.
The U.S. Department of Commerce Hurricane Contracting Information Center (HCIC) was created recently to will help U.S. businesses, especially minority and small businesses, participate in the Gulf Coast rebuilding efforts. The HCIC is an effort to guarantee that those companies, not matter how small, seeking to join the rebuilding efforts can navigate federal agencies and bid for contracts with ease. To find out more and register online with agencies providing contracts for Gulf Coast rebuilding projects, see www.rebuildingthegulfcoast.gov. The HCIC also includes a call center (1-888-4USADOC) with representatives from different government agencies onsite to provide information on rebuilding opportunities and help businesses navigate the state and federal contracting process. While this notice is not directly related to international trade, rebuilding these areas will have a definite positive effect on the U.S. economy with benefits spreading to all sectors. The sooner these hurricane devastated areas can be rebuilt, the sooner the half-million lost jobs will return, and the sooner we can all have some happy holidays. So please share this information with any interested contacts. |
-- Ann Watts, USDOC/Export Assistance Center, Chairperson
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Pam Zaresk on New Programs and Actions |
On November 8, US Customs and Border Protection Port Director Pam Zaresk will present "New Programs and Actions by US Customs and Border Protection". CWIT members and guests will learn about how these new programs and actions will affect the transportation industry and member businesses.
Zaresk will also provide an update on the 24-hour manifest filing requirements; the high-risk containers computerized tracking system, identification and inspection system; and the new radiation portal monitors now operational since mid October at the SC State Ports Authority's three container terminals located in Charleston, North Charleston, and Mount Pleasant. Note: RSVP are accepted via email at [email protected].
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| Happy 100th Birthday, C.H. Robinson Worldwide! |
Now one of the world's top third-party logistics providers, C.H. Robinson Worldwide began as a produce and general merchandise broker based in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota. Celebrating its 100 th anniversary this year, the company still provides produce sourcing services, but has vastly expanded its mission to include a full offering of global logistics and transportation services.
C.H. Robinson Company was founded in 1905 when Charles Robinson and Fred Parks Nash decided to combine their two produce distribution companies rather than continue as competitors. Over the years, the company has seen major revolutions in transportation, including the advent of a national highway system, refrigerated containerization and motor carrier deregulation. Company CEO John Wiehoff credits the company's entrepreneurial spirit and its employees' hard work as the cornerstone of the operation, which now employs more than 5,600 professionals worldwide.
“Our strength lies in all of our people,” says Wiehoff. “Our global presence today is thanks to our employees' dedication to providing our customers and suppliers with flexible, value-added solutions.”
C.H. Robinson Worldwide operates through a network of 195 offices in North America, South America, Europe and Asia and works with more than 35,000 motor carriers worldwide. The company has approximately $5 billion in revenues. For more information, visit www.chrobinson.com.
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| Getting A Big Bang for Your Buck |
As fundraising endeavors get underway for the 2006 Soirée, we would like to express once again our appreciation to our past generous sponsors. Without your continued support the annual banquet would not have reached the status as a “must attend” event! Please consider a tax-deductible financial contribution or silent auction donation. Our next grand event is scheduled for April 11, 2006 at the Charleston Place Hotel.
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| Featured Member
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  Susan Ogren
Sales
Associate
AstenJohnson
Background:
Ogren joined AstenJohnson in August 2005 as part of their Inside Sales team, happy to find a company where she believes she can “put down roots” after two years here in Charleston. Hailing from Michigan, Susan has over 25 years of experience in textile manufacturing, account management and business development and is planning to continue to diversify her skills with AstenJohnson.
Susan and her husband Dan live in Summerville, which serves as their hub for bike riding, kayaking, visits to the local YMCA, and trips to Michigan, Pennsylvania and Maine to visit family.
Recent Accomplishments: Contributing writer for the "CWIT Perspective" and helped to coordinate a successful "first" silent auction at CWIT's 2005 annual banquet event.
Affiliations: CWIT - Member, Publicity Co-chair, and Annual Banquet Committee Member and Silent Auction Coordinator
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| SC to South Africa Business Matchmaking Mission |
CWIT member and Trade Manager on Africa for the SC Department of Commerce (SCDOC) Melissa Moïse McLeod along with five SC companies recently returned from an organized trade mission to South Africa. Participating companies ranged from traditional manufacturers to those providing services and investment expertise. The purpose of this SCDOC-led trade mission was to promote the exports of goods and services to South Africa and establish relationships and partnerships between that country and the state of South Carolina.
Click SouthAfricanMissionSummary.pdf to read McLeod's entire "South Africa Mission Summary" report. For more information on opportunities for doing business in South Africa, please contact McLeod at the SC Department of Commerce, (803) 737-2164 or by e-mail at [email protected].
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| Membership Appreciation Social |
 Yet another great reason to be a member of CWIT! Artist and gallery-owner Anne Worsham Richardson has opened up her gallery on November 29, 2005 to CWIT for an exclusive members-only event. Birds I View Gallery at 119-A Church Street is the location for our first ever Membership Appreciation Social. Join us for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres as we network and mingle with the artist. Please RSVP at [email protected] by November 23.
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| Chile Joining ATA Carnet System |
Chile is joining the ATA Carnet System, which allows for temporary duty-free admission of goods starting October 1. The Carnet System is administered by the World Customs Organization and the World Chambers Federation and permits temporary entry of professional equipment and commercial samples for use in trade fairs, exhibitions and similar commercial purposes. Business travelers can obtain a carnet prior to departure from their local chamber of commerce for items such as laptops, repair tools, scientific and medical equipment, cameras, fine arts, jewelry and automobiles. For more information on ATA Carnets, please visit the web site at www.atacarnets.org. |
-- Ann Watts, USDOC/Export Assistance Center, Chairperson
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| All Aboard the Roderick McAllister |
On October 11, CWIT members and guests enjoyed a real waterfront thrill as a they boarded the Roderick McAllister, one of McAllister Towing's finest tugboats. Built in 1967, the Roderick is a conventional twin-screw tug used in the harbor to dock ships. At 109 feet in length she runs full throttle at 1,800 horsepower, and holds over 26 thousand gallons of fuel. McAllister provides docking, undocking, and escorting services for vessels with its fleet of 4-harbor operating and 5-offshore tugboats.
The Roderick comfortably accommodated CWIT on an up-close tour of port facilities that are situated along the Cooper River and in Charleston Harbor. While on board, guest had the opportunity to witness first hand a docking pilot boarding a cargo ship in the middle of the shipping channel. "Amazingly the docking pilot easily crossed the water to a ladder lowered along side of the big ship”, said CWIT member English Struth.
This outing was hosted by Joe Buckheister, VP & General Manager, Marine Superintendent & Port Captain Steven Kicklighter, and Administrative Assistant Karen Kuhn. Expertly crewing the Roderick were Captain Mike Sistare, Engineer - Eddie Richardson, and deckhand Michael Cobb. "Ship docking services are core of our Charleston operations," said Kuhn.
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Mark Your Calendar |
November 8: Pam Zaresk, Port Director, US Customs and Border Protection, will present "New Programs and Actions by US Customs and Border Protection".
January 10 - Sandra J Teel, Associate Director, Moore School of Business will present "The Status of South Carolina’s Women."
February 14 - Jim Geffert, President, Dale Carnegie Training of SC, will conduct a seminar on negotiation skills.
March 14 - Elizabeth Colbert-Bush, Director of Sales and Marketing for the South Atlantic Region, OOCL (USA), will present "International Market Cycles and Trends into 2007."
RSVP via email:
[email protected] or by phone:
843.577.8184. Cost: $20 members/$25 non-members.
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| Palmetto Software (our newest annual sponsor), |
SC State Ports Authority,
Charleston Freight
Station, Roanoke Trade Services, Robert Bosch Corporation, Berlitz Language Center-Charleston, Morgan Stanley, Printing Quest, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, and Landmark Enterprises. |
| To become a annual sponsor, contact: |
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Welcome to CWIT |
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Click to view CWIT's membership application. |
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To learn more about CWIT membership, contact: |
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| 2006 Soirée Update |
| Soirée plans are in the works.
The 2006 Soirée annual banquet committee has some exciting new ideas and we look forward to sharing them with you at the next annual banquet event. It promises to be an event you will not want to miss. Everyone will be there so mark your calendar now, and we look forward to seeing each of you on April 11, 2006 at the Charleston Place Hotel |
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Check-It-Out |
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| The SME Toolkit is a project of the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Department of the World Bank Group. The resource at www.smetoolkit.org assists entrepreneurs, business owners, and managers in emerging markets and developing countries grow business. |
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| Membership Dues |
Please note: CWIT 2006 Membership Dues will be invoiced in November for the Calendar Year 2006 program year as follows:
- $50/member
- $25/student & retired
- $120/corporate dues for three memberships plus $40/additional members. |
| Click INVOICE if you need a copy of a membership invoice, or contact: |
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| About CWIT |
| CWIT was chartered in 2002 in Charleston, SC with fewer than 10 members. Our mission still holds true today; to enhance the status of women who work in the field of international trade by presenting educational and networking opportunities. To date, CWIT has grown to serve over 80 active members and hosts monthly meetings 10 times a year. |
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CWIT Receives Award |
| CWIT will be honored as the “2005 Chapter of the Year” in Washington, DC at the Organization of Women In International Trade (OWIT) 2005 Conference, on November 3rd – 6th. This prestigious award is in recognition of the chapter best demonstrating results towards advancement of women in international trade professions. |
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| Announcement |
| Member Dean Riegel of Atlantic Occupational Health will serve as co-chair for the Fundraising Committee chaired by Amy Kosar of Unishippers. |
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| Survey Results |
| Comments from the Oct Tug Boat Harbor Tour will be collected at the close of CWIT's Nov meeting. |
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Board Members |
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| OWIT on the Web |
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| CWIT is a chapter of the Organization of Women in Int'l Trade (OWIT), on the web at www.owit.org. If you are a CWIT member and want to access OWIT "members only" pages, send an email to [email protected]. |
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CWIT Bylaws |
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To view CWIT's bylaws online, click: |
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| Contact CWIT |
Mail: PO Box 20145 Charleston, SC
29413
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.cwitsc.org |
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