October's Headlines
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
There is an ancient Chinese Proverb that states: "Even when opportunity knocks, a man must still get up and answer the door." On September 23, the inaugural flight of the new China Cargo air route touched down at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. The flight kicks off the beginning of weekly air service between St. Louis and Shanghai. That is one great opportunity!
Now it is up to us to do the hard work to reinvent our airport. Part of the mission is to grow this region into an international cargo hub. As our Chinese partners like to say, we are at the center of the center. There is no better place to facilitate cargo movement than St. Louis, Missouri.
Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this route possible. I believe we are on the verge of something big.
Charlie A. Dooley
St. Louis County Executive
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GROWING GLOBAL: THE PATH TO GROWING LOCAL
On September 23, more than 600 business, civic and community leaders gathered for Growing Global, the World Trade Center St. Louis' signature event and the largest internationally focused business gathering in the region.
This year, guests welcomed as their keynote speaker Edward L. Monser, president and COO of Emerson. Monser stressed the importance of St. Louis competing on a global scale, naming sustainable jobs and revenue among many benefits.
"There is clearly a path to prosperity for our city and for our region, but we’ve got to take action," said Monser in his speech. "(The Midwest-China Hub) is a terrific opportunity for the state to engage more broadly and deeply in world trade, to provide jobs for the region and the state and to increase revenue."
In addition, the World Trade Center recognized three deserving award winners for their leadership in promoting international trade and economic development:
- Global Ambassador – Midwest-China Hub Commission
- Global Growth – Handi-Craft, makers of Dr. Brown's baby bottles
- Global Business Person – Mr. Jai Nagarkatti, former chairman, president and CEO of Sigma Aldrich (posthumously)
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RIVER CITY EXPANSION IS A WINNING HAND
River City Casino is expanding in a big way! Pinnacle Entertainment announced its plans to add a new, 200-room hotel, 10,000-square-foot event center and 1700-space covered parking garage. With the addition of its latest $82 million expansion, Pinnacle’s total investment in the St. Louis region is just shy of one billion dollars!
The company continues its commitment to Lemay. In fact, Pinnacle intends to begin marketing River City Casino as a tourist destination when the expansion is complete. These wonderful new amenities will not only benefit Lemay, but the entire region.
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COULD STEM BE THE ROOT TO SUCCESS?
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Dr. Irving McPhail discusses STEM challenges and opportunities with members of the National Defense Industry Association. |
Question: What is STEM?
Answer: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathmatics.
On September 19, the newly opened St. Louis Community College’s Center for Workforce Innovation was the venue for a presentation and panel discussion on STEM Workforce issues.
"For decades, the St. Louis region has been, and continues to be, a major provider of defense and homeland security goods and services to the nation," said Doug Rasmussen, senior vice president of Business Development for St. Louis County Economic Council. "In order to remain strong in this area, companies, institutions, economic development agencies, and not-for-profits must recognize the importance of creating and maintaining a diverse supply of quality STEM workers."
Dr. Irving McPhail, president and CEO of the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, discussed the importance of increasing the number of American students pursuing education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Following McPhail’s presentation, Rasmussen moderated a panel discussion with several regional STEM education, workforce and business leaders, including representatives from Project Lead the Way, National Defense Industry Association St. Louis Chapter, Boeing, Essex Industries, St. Louis Community College, and First Foundation.
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WORLD TRADE CENTER ST. LOUIS IS LOOKING FRESH
World Trade Center St. Louis debuted its new logo at the annual Growing Global luncheon last month. The change in design illustrates the World Trade Center’s focus on continuously increasing the region’s global reach and awareness.
"We feel the new logo is representative of who we are and what we do," said Tim Nowak, executive director of the World Trade Center. "It communicates our mission through classic and modern design."
"This new logo with its circular mark and blue and green colors of earth, effectively communicates a brand of global movement, connections and commerce," said World Trade Center Board President Amy Gianino. "For more than 18 years, World Trade Center St. Louis has brought this brand to life, supporting growth for the region’s businesses and ensuring companies are represented in an increasingly global marketplace."
World Trade Center St. Louis, a division of St. Louis County Economic Council, supports the St. Louis region by helping businesses expand into foreign markets, hosting visiting trade delegations, and promoting the region as a place for international trade relations and economic growth.
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ST. LOUIS COUNTY HEADLINES
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