Global California 2005 Conference Panels
Panel 1 - "Global California: Pulling SMEs Into the Free Trade Loop"
- Moderator: Michael White, CalTrade Report
- Panelist: Howard Shatz, Public Policy Institute of California
- Panelist: Ingrid Rosten, International Trade Consultant
- Panelist: Linda Kotzot, German-American Business Association
- Panelist: Jeremy Potash, California-Asia Business Council
Small and medium size businesses form the most dynamic element of California's international business profile with an ever-growing number forging relationships with partners all over the world. Over the past year, the US has forged free-trade relationships with countries as diverse as Jordan, Australia, and Chile, while the long-established free trade agreements with Mexico, Canada, Israel, and several other countries continue to offer unique opportunities for California-based global entrepreneurs. What doors do these free trade agreements open for California SMEs and how can they take full advantage of what they have to offer?
Panel 2 - "Global California: Issues and Challenges Facing California's Transportation Infrastructure"
- Moderator: Sean Randolph, Bay Area Economic Forum
- Panelist: John McLaurin, Pacific Maritime Association
- Panelist: Jon Haveman, Public Policy Institute of California
- Panelist: Tom Teofilo, Port of Long Beach
- Panelist: Jock O'Connell, ClarkStreet Group
California is the nation's most critical distribution home serving as the home of three of the world's busiest container ports and two of its busiest cargo airports with the volume of cargo moving through California's distribution centers expected to double over the next decade. Is California's port, airport, rail, and highway infrastructure up to the task ? How are smaller airports and seaports throughout the state positioning themselves as alternatives to the giant distribution "megacenters"?
Panel 3 - "Global California: Security and Trade in a Post-9/11 World"
- Moderator: Don Masters, California Homeland Security Industry Association
- Panelist: Beth Peterson, Beth Peterson Enterprises
- Panelist: Jerry Bridges, Port of Oakland
- Panelist: Bruce Aitken, Homeland Security Industries Association
- Panelist: Bruce Berton, Stonefield & Josephson Inc.
The threat of terrorism has profoundly impacted the international movement of goods. With California serving as the nation's revolving door for international trade, how are the federal and state government's programs to reduce the risk of a terrorist strike impacting the flow of cargo through California's ports and airports? What is the Container security Initiative and is it really working? What are the ports and airports themselves doing to coordinate their security efforts with the government? Is the implementation of mandated security programs on track?
Panel 4 - "Global California: Marketing the California Brand and Sacramento's New Role in Trade Promotion"
- Moderator: Janice Cooper, Pacific Resources, Inc.
- Panelist: Jose Duenas, Bay Area World Trade Center
- Panelist: Mark Mosher, California Jobs Commission (invited)
- Panelist: Mary Demege, U.S. Commercial Service
- Panelist: Jeffery Gersick, Gersick Associates
California has a unique international cache that few other state's can boast. The mere mention of the name anywhere in the world conjures up a wide variety of impressions and mental images. What is it that makes California so special and how can a "Made in California" brand help Golden State-based companies penetrate overseas markets? What role, if any, is Sacramento planning to play in helping companies the state's growing number of global entrepreneurs succeed in the highly competitive overseas marketplace?
Panel 5 - "Global California: Forging Strategic Alliances"
- Moderator: Michael Liikala, U.S. Commercial Service
- Panelist: Richard Soyombo, Centers for International Trade Development
- Panelist: Moises Cisneros, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
- Panelist: Bruce Ackerman, Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley
- Panelist: Rod Ballance, Global Trade Center of the Inland Empire
As Sacramento's role in facilitating and promoting trade has altered over the past year, so have the relationships between the scores of economic development agencies, trade promotion organizations, chambers of commerce, and bi-lateral trade groups that serve the California's global business community. How can more effective alliances be formed so that competition between groups is minimized and a more efficient service profile can be crafted to help California companies go global? What role are World Trade Centers, Centers for International Trade Development, and other educational institutions playing in keeping California-based companies up-to-speed on trade opportunities and trends? How can the public and private sectors work more effectively to utilize the state's wealth of expertise and capability to keep the state's international entrepreneurs globally competitive?
February 10th, 2005
The Waterfront Plaza Hotel at Jack London Square
10 Washington Street
Jack London Square
Oakland, CA 94607
