Hopefully, all readers of this newsletter can attend CWIT’s monthly meeting on Nov. 9th on "The Dynamics of Trade with China" (see below for details). The speaker will be Rick Wen, Vice President of Business Development, OOCL Inc., and a pro on doing business in the Far East. China continues to be a hot topic for traders. U.S. Commerce Department trade statistics through June of this year, show U.S. exports to China are up 36 percent over the same period last year, making China one of the fastest-growing U.S. export markets, and the sixth-largest U.S. export market overall. Last year, China's worldwide imports increased by more than 40 percent. Appropriately, several new tools are available from the U.S. Commercial Service to help U.S. companies expand exports to China's growing market - the China Business Information Center, American Trade Centers and the Global Supply Chain Initiative. Check these out on www.export.gov/china, the federal government’s export web site. And don't miss Rick’s presentation to get an insider’s view of this booming market!
-- Ann Watts, CWIT Chair

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Sandra Klein
Owner and Managing Director
Berlitz Language Center – Charleston

Background: Born and raised in Leverkusen Germany, Sandra came to the US in 1982. She attended the University of North Carolina where she earned a B. A. in International Business and Marketing in 1993. Upon graduation, she joined the team of Catlin Engineers & Scientists in Wilmington, NC as Marketing Director. Over the next 5 years she developed a marketing strategy for the company, hired and supervised a staff of 4 and opened a German subsidiary of Catlin Engineers & Scientists in Leizpig, Germany. As part owner of this company, Sandra traveled extensively throughout Germany for over 2 years. In 1998, she moved to Charleston to oversee management of the Charleston Berlitz Language Center, which opened in 1997 as the first North American franchise location of Berlitz International.

Accomplishments: Within 2 years of joining the Charleston Berlitz Language Center, Sandra doubled sales and create a stronger brand image for Berlitz International in the Charleston area. In October 2000, she purchased the Charleston franchise. Additionally, Charleston Berlitz, under Sandra’s management, won the 2000 award from Berlitz International for the “Highest Sales Growth” in the US.

Affiliations: SCWTC – Member, Former Board Member and Membership Relationships Committee, CWIT - Member and Fundraising Chair.

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As part of CWIT's professional development initiative, October's luncheon meeting featured Mr. Fred Malone as speaker. Mr. Malone is a Certified Financial Planner with Trident Financial Group, LLC. He is located on the web at: www.fredmalone.com and via email at: [email protected].

A delegation of five CWIT members are packing suitcases and getting ready to head to Tampa, Florida for the International Conference of the Organization of Women in International Trade, CWIT’s parent organization, on November 10 thru 12, 2004! There is a full schedule and Ann Watts and I are anxious to see the organization at work as we will also attend OWIT’s board meeting preceding the conference. CWIT members Jacky Sassard, Pam Everitt and Maylyn Thomas will join us at the conference on Wednesday.

There will be several items to consider for adoption and we'll be sure to represent CWIT’s best interests. In addition, OWIT will be voting to accept new chapters in Denmark, Monterrey and Johannesburg and efforts are underway to reach out to Cairo, Jordan, Brussels, London and more. A full report will be provided upon our return.
-- Jackie Adamson, OWIT Representative

Members and guests learned about two sponsors companies, Morgan Stanley from Lynn Anne Christensen, and Charleston Berlitz Language Center from Holly McLeod at CWIT's October 12th meeting. For additional information about their respective companies, send an email to Lynn Anne at [email protected] and to Holly at [email protected].

In November, the spotlight will be on the South Carolina State Ports Authority, Bosch Corporation, and Printing Quest. Your company too can be spotlighted.  To do so, sign up to become an Annual Sponsor by responding to CWIT's sponsorship drive letter published at www.sponsorship_letter.pdf
-- Sandra Klein, CWIT Fundraising Chair

November 9: Rick Wen, Vice President, Business Development - OOCL, 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.

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December 3: CWIT's Annual Board of Directors Planning Retreat.

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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 meeting at the Radisson Airport Hotel, 5991 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29406, starting at 11:45 am.

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February 8: Andrew I. Rudman, Director, Office of NAFTA and Inter-American Affairs, International Trade Administration - Department of Commerce will speak at CWIT’s February 8, 2005 luncheon meeting at the Radisson Airport Hotel, 5991 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29406, 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.
-- Amy Thomson, CWIT Communications Chair