Trade Envoys From 32 Nations Arriving in St. Louis for Global Business Summit

APRIL 18, 2005, St. Louis, Missouri … Trade envoys from 32 nations who want to do business with Missouri companies will join diplomats and global executives participating in the World Trade Day International Business Summit being hosted in St. Louis on May 12, 2005.

This major conference, which celebrates World Trade Day in St. Louis, is called "Increasing Sales Through Global Opportunities.” The event is open to businesses, non-profit organizations and the public.

“The keynote speakers at this trade conference and its seminars comprise a ‘who’s who’ of international business and government leaders whose knowledge and contacts will be invaluable for all who attend,” said Stewart Dahlberg, Chairman of the Missouri District Export Council (www.MODEC.org).

Nineteen trade experts will conduct seminars or make presentations. Morning sessions will focus on new business opportunities in Central Europe, China and Latin America. Afternoon sessions will include an informed discussion entitled “Developing Export Strategies – Planning & Resources for Growth.”

Everyone who registers for the event may attend seminars of their choice and, also, meet individually with trade envoys from 32 nations in private sessions from 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m. In addition, government-sponsored incentives and cost-efficient options for joining international trade missions later this year will be presented.

Some of the speakers will include:

* The Honorable Andras Simonyi, Hungarian Ambassador to the U.S.

* William H. Lash, III, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce, Market Access & Compliance
* Patrick J. Finneran, Vice President & General Manager, Aerospace Support, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems

* Jill Brannon, Vice President-International, Fed Ex Corporation

* Susana Gonzalez-Murillo, Vice President-International Banking & Country Manager-Latin America, US Bank

* Dr. Karel Schubert, Vice President, Technology Management & Science Administration, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center

* Ellen Lenny-Pessagno, Principal Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service, Monterrey, Mexico

* Thomas E. Moore, Deputy Director General, U.S. Commercial Service, Washington, D.C.

* The Honorable Marian Jurcyzk, Mayor, City of Szczecin, Poland

* Richard Tam, Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council

* Ann Pardalos, International Trade & Development Manager, State of Missouri

The day-long trade summit will occur at the Chase Park-Plaza Hotel. It opens with a Continental breakfast at 7:00 a.m. Kenneth Matheny, Senior Economist, Macroeconomic Advisors LLC of St. Louis, will make the opening presentation at 8:05 a.m. Seminars begin at 9:00 a.m. The full agenda is shown at www.MODEC.org.

Registration for the event is $95 per person for access to presentations, seminars, keynote speeches, breakfast and the awards luncheon where Export Achievement Certificates from the U.S. Department of Commerce will be presented along with Global Excellence Awards. For information, please call Stewart Dahlberg at 314.432.6600, extension 3023, or Eloisa Devietti at 314.977.3602.

The World Trade Day International Business Summit is being hosted by The Saint Louis Regional International Partnership, a group of internationally focused organizations that promotes international trade, education and cultural exchange to improve the economic and cultural well being of greater Saint Louis.

The Missouri District Export Council (MODEC), a non-profit organization of volunteer executives appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to help small and medium-sized businesses develop export programs, is co-hosting the event. FedEx Corporation and London-based UK Trade & Investment are presenting sponsors.

For media interviews & press credentials, contact Jeff Dunlap @ PowerlinePR @ 001.314.721.5505.

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