-- Ann Watts, USDOC/Export Assistance Center,CWIT Chairperson

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) provides export information & development assistance to help small businesses take advantage of export markets, including trade counseling, training, legal assistance and publications, as sited on the agency's web site. Join us at CWIT's Monthly Luncheon Meeting on September 13, 2005 as Nuby J. Fowler, Regional Administrator, SBA, explains how you can partner your business with SBA for successful growth.

Through its 19 U.S. Export Assistance Centers, SBA district offices and a variety of service-provider partners, the SBA directs and coordinates ongoing export initiatives in an effort to encourage small businesses going global. Additional information about the SBA can be viewed online at www.sba.gov.

-- Jacky Sassard, SC State Ports Authority, Publicity Chair

From Science to Solutions™ -- SAIC engineers and scientists solve some of the world's most complex technical problems in logistics, national security, energy, the environment, space, telecommunications and health care. With more than 43,000 employees in more than 150 cities worldwide, SAIC is the largest employee-owned research and engineering company in the United States.

Today, SAIC helps safeguard international events and secure our ports and borders while expediting the flow of commerce. SAIC has developed the Integrated Container Inspection System (ICIS), of which VACIS (Vehicle and Container Inspection System) gamma ray imaging is currently used by Customs and Border Protection officers here at the Port of Charleston.

To find out more about SAIC, visit www.saic.com or contact CWIT member and SAIC employee-owner Correna Panagiotou at [email protected].

-- Allison Skipper, SC State Ports Authority, Publicity Committee Member

Each and every member, past and present, has much to be proud of regarding our Chapter's voted as OWIT's 2005 "Chapter of the Year" recipient. How wonderful to be acknowledged for continued success by women involved in international trade from all over the world. The award will be presented on November 2nd – 4 in Copenhagen, Denmark at the OWIT 2005 World Conference.

The OWIT 2nd Annual Board Meeting will be held in conjunction with the annual conference in Denmark. I will "chair” the OWIT Policies and Procedures/By-Law review on behalf of the OWIT Chair, Marian Ladner. We have a committee of six from around the world in charge of proposing by-law changes following review of all facets of OWIT.

-- Jackie Adamson, Roanoke Trade Services, OWIT Representative

-- Jacky Sassard, SC State Ports Authority, Publicity Chair

On June 14, 2005 CWIT's guest speaker was Dahli Myers presented "Women in International Business (What They Don't Tell You in School)", an engaging description of her introduction into International business at age 26. Myers is an attorney for Charleston/Columbia based law firm Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, where she provides services for international trade and utilities.

As a young lawyer just out of law school, Myers was abruptly thrust into a “short term” transfer to Hong Kong. The trip turned into an assignment spanning seven years between seven asian cities, during which Myers acquired “life lessons” that she brilliantly shared with the CWIT audience in her presentation

Lesson 1 – “Know the rules of the game”. As a neophyte business woman in Hong Kong , Myers was unprepared for the high cost of living, the difficulty of travel in a third world country and the need for contracted amenities such as baggage handlers, which would reduce her stress level and allow her to concentrate on her work at hand.

Lesson 2 – “Recognize the value of good friends in strategic positions”. Alliances that she developed with the office secretary and the “tea lady” proved beneficial, as they provided insight into the culture and helped Myers prevail despite her lack of knowledge about how business is done in China.

Lesson 3 – “You are who you define yourself to be”. Myers recounted an anecdote about a country woman who was innocently astonished by the color of her skin -- she described her realization that a calm, understanding reaction to the woman defined her character. We present the image by which others view us.

It was clear that Myers' professional success is enhanced by her wisdom and humor. We enjoyed hearing about her experiences and look forward to her future participation in CWIT.

-- Susan Ogren, Publicity Co-Chair

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Many of you may have experienced difficulty in arranging for your international buyers to visit your company on business in the last few years. State Department has announced that its US - China Business Initiative, a pilot program begun in January, has been expanded to a Worldwide Business Visa Center, effective July 15, 2005. The Business Visa Center Program is intended to assist businesses in the United States and their partners, customers and colleagues around the world.  The Center will provide information to U.S. companies about the application process for business (B-1) visitor visas, for those seeking to come to the U.S. for business purposes such as invited employees or current or prospective business clients and partners.  Here is the contact information: Business Visa Center, 202-663-3198, [email protected].

-- Ann Watts, USDOC/Export Assistance Center,CWIT Chairperson

September 13: Nuby Fowler, Regional Administrator, US Small Business Administration (SBA), will present the " Partnering Your Business with SBA for Successful Growth" at CWIT's Tuesday, September 13, 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.

October 11: Tug Boat Harbor Tour hosted by Mr. Joe Buckheister, Vice President & General Manager, McAllister Towing of Charleston. Limited seating. Casual dress. Lunch will be provided. Cost: $20 members.

RSVP via email: [email protected] or by phone: 843.577.8184. For additional information visit CWIT on the web at www.cwitsc.org.

-- Margie Hardwick, OOCL, Programs Chair