Join us for a seminar on April 3, for human resource professionals in small and mid-sized companies that are involved in international commerce. Topics to be addressed include: developing policies for staff traveling abroad for sales or installation, considerations for offering necessary professional development, policies for gift giving and entertainment of international clients, and compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. All attendees will receive a checklist for HR departments to use as guidance for developing or modifying necessary policies. Speakers include Jody Keller of Beard Miller Company LLP, and Marc Tarlow and Jane Davis of Shumaker Williams PC.

Mark your calendar for the flagship event of the season. The annual "Reaching Your Global Customers" Conference & Exhibition will be held on April 29, at the Radisson Penn Harris in Camp Hill. The breakfast keynote will be presented by Rick Andrews, Vice President of Global Marketing, Hershey International. Mike Moran, of IBM and author of Do It Wrong Quickly: How the Web Changes the Old Marketing Rules and Co-author of the best-selling Search Engine Marketing Inc. will present the luncheon keynote, "Internet Marketing: Where It Is and Where It's Going." The conference will also include breakout sessions on a variety of topics including website globalization, culture, global public relations, and marketing. The speakers for these sessions are industry experts and many speak at some of the largest events in the country.

Special Thanks to our Sponsors: MANTEC, Inc., Cumberland County Economic Development, First Energy, thebigword, and UPS.

Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation will be hosting the Pennsylvania Authorized Trade Reps from Beijing, Brazil, India, and Shanghai for a breakfast briefing and individual company appointments on April 25 at the Holiday Inn Mechanicsburg. The cost to attend the breakfast is $20. For additional information and registration, please contact Cumberland County Economic Development at 717-240-7180.

Southcentral Pennsylvania has seen a significant increase in export sales, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce last month. Based on metropolitan trade statistics for this region, companies in southcentral Pennsylvania shipped over $5 billion in goods overseas in 2006, an increase of over $1.6 billion from 2005. During the same time period, this region's share of the State's total export sales increased from 14% in 2005 to nearly 17% in 2006.

WTC Member, Bob Wilson, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for York Wire & Cable wrote an editorial that appeared in a recent issue of the Central Penn Business Journal. Mr. Wilson explains how fair trade has helped his company remain more competitive.

C.L. Sturkey Inc. is a Lebanon, PA based manufacturer of permanent and disposable microtome knives, used primarily by diagnostic laboratories, hospitals, universities, and histology laboratories in pharmaceutical companies. Established in 1944, C.L. Sturkey Inc. is a woman owned company with approximately 20 employees. The company has been diligent in expanding their international marketing efforts. C.L. Sturkey Inc. is currently selling their products to more than 18 countries. Exports account for 20% of C.L. Sturkey's total sales.