World Trade Week conference focuses on design thinking

Global business expansion, design thinking and protecting global brand are a few of the topics being offered at a Van Andel Global Trade Center business conference during West Michigan World Trade Week. The conference is in partnership with the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

 The May 15 conference will feature keynote speaker Kim Dabbs, global director of Corporate Social Innovation at Steelcase in Grand Rapids. Dabbs will explain how design thinking can transform a company's quest to develop global products, services, processes and strategy.

West Michigan World Trade Week Business Conference

May 15 

11:30-1:30 p.m. Luncheon w/ Kim Dabbs, Steelcase keynote speech

1:30-4:30 p.m. Breakout sessions

L. William Seidman Center, 50 Front Ave., Pew Grand Rapids Campus

Register at www.gvsu.edu/wtw

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

•  Protecting Your Brand Globally

• The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement (USMCA)

•  Risk Management Strategies and Threats

•  The Trouble with Tariffs

•  Testing Your Business Model Abroad

Student Global Awareness Day held May 1 at Grand Valley

A group of sixth grade students from Harrison Park Elementary School in Grand Rapids will participate in Student Global Awareness Day May 1 at the L. William Seidman Center. 

The students have been learning about global careers and world cultures for the past six weeks in their classrooms and will come to campus to learn about global supply chain and participate in a Global Quizbowl session. The event is made possible through a partnership with World Trade Week and Junior Achievement.

For a full schedule of West Michigan World Trade Week events, visit www.gvsu.edu/wtw or call (616) 331-6811.