World Trade Week focuses on export success

West Michigan World Trade Week will bring together a multitude of Michigan businesses May 12 to discuss local strategies for export success. The business conference, in its 31st year, is hosted by Grand Valley's Van Andel Global Trade Center and the U.S. Commercial Service. 

It will be held from 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at L. William Seidman Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus and focus on helping Michigan's business leaders increase exports and bring more business opportunities to West Michigan.

This year's keynote speaker is Adrienne Stevens, president of Notion's Marketing Corporation of Grand Rapids. Notions is the world’s largest distributor of creative arts products. Stevens is leading the company through explosive growth while strengthening the organization through technology, facilities and talent. Stevens previously worked as a divisional president of L-3 Communications and Goodrich Corporation. She earned a bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University and an Executive MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.

Several breakout sessions are planned on a variety of topics including:

•  Basics of international logistics 

•  Selling to developing countries

•  Duty Drawback and Foreign-Trade Zones

•  Financing options for the Global Supply Chain

The West Michigan World Trade Week Planning Committee is comprised of volunteers from more than 20 internationally focused companies and organizations. The committee leadership alternates on an annual basis between the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Van Andel Global Trade Center.

To register and for a full schedule of sessions, visit www.gvsu.edu/wtw or call (616) 331-6811.