World Trade Center Utah

“In 2008 Utah experienced record exports and even in the midst of tough economic times, international trade expansion continues to be a  key job creator in Utah.  The World Trade Center Utah and its strategic partner, the Salt Lake Chamber, play critical roles in facilitating Utah businesses’ success in the global marketplace.”

Jack Sunderlage,

CEO, ContentWatch 

Statement of Principles:

• Open Markets – The Salt Lake Chamber supports public policy that encourages open markets and the full participation of Utah businesses in the world economy.
• Global Perspective – Public policy should take into account the global nature of competition and empower Utah businesses to succeed in such an environment.

2010 Public Policy Priorities:

• Continued funding of World Trade Center Utah – We support continued state sponsorship for WTCU.
• Health System Reform – We must continue to reform our health system to reduce costs.  Utah businesses cannot afford to pay double digit increases in premium costs while competing in global markets.
• Workforce Readiness – Cultivating and attracting human capital is critical to international competition. We must adopt policy that attracts talent from outside the state/country and develops indigenous talent. Access to a qualified workforce is requisite to compete internationally. 
  

Recent Accomplishments:

Educating Utah Businesses – Training and educational services are provided by WTCU and our strategic partners – the Salt Lake Chamber, Governor’s Office of Economic Development, and the U.S. Commercial Service. 2009 training and education resources and events included:

• Logistics and Trade Seminars on both exports and imports
• Doing Business in: Peru, Israel, Germany, Canada, Southeast Asia, China, United Kingdom and Hong Kong
• Rural Development Economic Conferences
• International Trade Finance Seminars

Global Utah Newsletter: Every week, 2,000+ internationalists receive the WTCU email newsletter Global Utah with key articles on international business in Utah, global events, useful links to valuable websites and more. Global Utah also has the state’s only International Calendar of Events

Assessing Utah Businesses – WTCU offered in-depth assessment services and assistance to 150+ companies in the following industry clusters:

Companies Assisted, by Industry Sector

Connecting Utah Businesses – WTCU co-sponsored (with our international partners) over 250 events this past year, where Utah firms and individuals made connections with relevant people and resources for international business.

World Trade Center Utah Board of Directors:

Lew Cramer, President & CEO,

World Trade Center Utah

Chair, Jack Sunderlage, ContentWatch

Lane Beattie, Salt Lake Chamber

H. David Burton, The Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter-day Saints.

Ladd Christensen, Global Bridge

Gary Crittenden, Huntsman Gay Capital Partners

David Clark, Utah House of Representatives

Bryan Davis, Xango

Mark Garfield, Zions Bank

Natalie Gochnour, Salt Lake Chamber

David Golden, Wells Fargo

Alan Hall, MarketStar

Greg Miller, Larry H. Miller Group of Companies

Richard Nelson, Utah Technology Council

Dinesh Patel, vSpring Capital

Jason Perry, Chief of Staff to Governor Herbert

Paul Savage, Kirton & McConkie

Michael Waddoups, Utah State Senate

Michael Young, University of Utah

Ex-Officio:

Spencer Eccles, GOED

Jeff Edwards, EDCUtah

Craig Peterson, GOED

Emeritus:

Scott Anderson, Zions Bank