DEC's silver anniversary celebrated at 1998 national conference - District Export Councils - includes related information

For 25 years, the District Export Councils (DECs) have been a driving force in promoting international trade in the United States on both a local and national level. During this time, their relationship with the Commerce Department has exemplified the premier public-private partnership. As a testimony to this, Commerce joined the DECs on Long Island, N.Y. in June for the 25th Anniversary National DEC Conference and World Trade Symposium -- GloBus '98.

Representatives from 39 DECs across the nation met for the annual conference where national DEC matters and current international trade issues were discussed.

Approximately 600 people from the international trade community benefited from numerous-presentations on trade issues and seminars designed [o help companies enter and succeed in foreign markets. A greater awareness of the services available from the Department of Commerce, the District Export Councils, and other export promotion organizations was fostered throughout the conference, Senior Commerce officials participated in the event and expressed their gratitude to the District Export Councils for their volunteer service to exporters in their local communities and loyal support of the Department and its Export Assistance Centers located throughout the United States.

Commerce Secretary William Daley addressed the DECs' keen interest in international trade issues at the dinner banquet. He stated that the DECs were at the core of President Clinton's National Export Strategy by bringing trade promotion to the grassroots level. Secretary Daley also spoke about the quick pace of change in today's global economy, including new opportunities for American business everywhere. He emphasized the importance of trade education on the local level and recognized the DECs' efforts in this regard.

"The New African Initiative" was the theme of Deputy Secretary of Commerce Robert Mallett's keynote address. He highlighted the growing opportunities for U.S. businesses in Africa and the political and economic importance of the region to the United States.

The close ties between the DECs and the Department were underscored when the audience received an update on developments within the Commercial Service (CS) and the Export Assistance Center network. Former Acting Director General and Assistant Secretary of the Commercial Service Marjory Searing highlighted the programs the CS offers to U.S. businesses -- including new, specialized services such as those established to respond to the Asian financial crisis. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Domestic Operations (ODO) Daniel McLaughlin focused on the future of the Export Assistance Centers and the trend toward more specialized assistance and innovative products, including those utilizing electronic commerce. He also discussed the ODO's national outreach effort, utilizing new products with the latest technology, and making them available to rural and Native American companies which are traditionally underserved in regard to international trade services.

In accord with the surge of the importance of electronic commerce, U.S. Ambassador Richard Sklar, the U.S. Representative to the United Nations for Reform and Management, spoke at the meeting via satellite. Ambassador Sklar provided insight into the relationship between the United States and the United Nations.

As part of the DEC's silver anniversary celebration, the Department of Commerce recognized 17 DEC members who have served on the District Export Councils since 1973. Secretary Daley and Dan McLaughlin participated in a ceremony for the 25-year council members. McLaughlin recognized the 14 honorees who could not attend the conference, and featured the three DEC members present, while Secretary Daley presented each of them with a special plaque, which all honorees will receive, that read, "In recognition of twenty-five years of dedicated volunteer service to small- and medium-sized exporters in the United States, 1973-1998."

The conference featured numerous breakout sessions, many of which focused on international trade topics, ranging from geographic regions to industries, and from trade finance to trade compliance. The DEC best practices sessions have become highly valued features of the conferences. Eight DECs provided their colleagues with the valuable opportunity to learn about new trade promotion programs or approaches to existing programs that had contributed to the DECs' local success.

Some Local DEC Initiatives

The Missouri DEC's Strategic Planning Committee refined its mission statement and developed objectives which led to three programs. In partnership with a university and the St. Louis U.S. Export Assistance Center, it designed a program in which international business students helped six small firms build an international presence on the Internet. In cooperation with local sponsors, it also held six successful community outreach forums using discussion talking points to focus on the exporting needs of the companies. Finally, it sponsored a successful videoconference that featured a videotaped program to prepare the companies.

The Connecticut/Rhode Island DEC has focused on a variety of international educational programs, seminars, and conferences that have become very popular within the community. It disseminates information, including Connecticut-specific data, through publications that include an export calendar and newsletter. The DEC partners with universities, trade organizations, service providers, and manufacturers to implement programs. Meetings are rotated throughout the state to foster networking. The council annually bestows the "Exporter of the Year" and the "Service to Export" awards. The DEC also sponsors an intern to assist with "E" Award applications and other special projects.

In order to plan for future trade training programs, the Nebraska DEC worked with several organizations, including educational institutions, to survey the state's international businesses. These partners are also cosponsoring a conference focused on training internationally competent employees. The U.S. Department of Education's Title VI-B "Business and International Education" grant program offers funds for international business training, counseling, and trade missions projects. These grant programs require partnerships with organizations such as the DECs or Chambers of Commerce.

The Southern Ohio DEC and Northern Ohio DEC have joined forces to survey international business people in Ohio. The survey focuses on attitudes toward current international trade policy issues and a forecast of their future export activity. The results will be distributed to the press and congressional representatives. This is the second survey of this type that the DEC has undertaken in Ohio and updates the prior survey by relating to current issues and trade prospects.

The Mid-Atlantic DEC reinvigorated itself through a variety of means. Its new name better reflects its geographic coverage, and the council established itself as a Delaware corporation with IRS 501(c)(6) status. A steering committee was formed and has identified niche activities for the DEC, which include supporting the USEAC and the Department of Commerce; sponsoring high-level export programs; keeping exporters informed about export-related developments; lobbying with local congressional offices on export-related issues; and developing an international trade speaker's bureau. It also surveys its members occasionally to ensure that they remain interested in and committed to the DEC.

The Western Pennsylvania DEC developed an educational program called the Global Trade Institute (GTI), which is a collaborative effort among several entities, including the U.S. Department of Commerce, the DEC, several local universities, and the World Trade Center of Pittsburgh. GTI has offered eight training modules, all associated with practical issues involved in developing a global export business. Additionally, the Pittsburgh area, which has restored its physical environment, has become a resource for environmental management, with many companies and consultants serving environmental needs. Commercial Service offices abroad have been enlisted to promote the Pittsburgh area's environmental capabilities.

The Northern California DEC partnered with Baytrade in order to improve export services in the local community. Baytrade works through local chapters and uses its Internet site (http://www.tradeport.org). It has enjoyed considerable success. Originally designed for the California trade community, Tradeport, the Internet site, can also serve other areas of the country.

GloBus '98 also provided an opportunity to address important "DEC business." Members agreed to a number of trade policy recommendations which expressed the attendees' collective views. This document is available on the National DEC home page.

Attendees also affirmed the importance of the steering committee as a communications vehicle among the DECs and between the Commerce Department and the councils. This is especially important as the entire organization includes 51 DECs and approximately 1,500 members. William Poole, the outgoing steering committee chair and current chair of the Atlanta DEC, was applauded for his leadership since 1996. A new steering committee and chair were elected at the conference -- Jerry Giles, who is also chair of the Virginia DEC, expressed his appreciation to the DECs for their confidence in electing him as chair, and pledged to develop the steering committee's communications role.

The Indiana DEC's offer to host the 1999 national meeting was accepted, and preparations are in full swing for next year's conference in Indianapolis, May 18-21.

At the closing plenary session, attendees expressed their gratitude to Spencer Ross, member of the New York DEC and 1998 conference organizer for his tremendous efforts as well as those of his staff at the National Institute of World Trade. During the three days in New York, the representatives of the District Export Councils from across the United States received a great deal of information and insight provided through speeches by key leaders in the international trade community and seminars which will enhance their efforts to strengthen their local DECs and better assist U.S. exporters.

The complete conference minutes and the delegate's trade policy recommendations are available on the National District Export Council home page at: http://www.ita.doc.gov/dec.

Twenty-Five-Year DEC Members

Don A. Newton, Alabama John M. Dyer, Florida Charles F. McKay, Florida Thomas H. Miner, Illinois R.W. Fischer, Iowa Edwin G. Jewett, Jr., Louisiana Donald G. Keesee, Michigan Juan Bergoudian, Missouri Spencer Ross, New York Sven A. Langmack, Northern Ohio Anthony Y. Yen, Northern Ohio Henry T. King, Jr., Northern Ohio Thomas P. Collier, Southern California Andres S. Gillan, Southern Ohio Ronald A. Schoeneberger, Upstate N.Y. Marian R. O'Leary, Utah Lawrence M. Greb, Wisconsin

DEC Steering Committee Members

Chair, Jerry Giles, Virginia Vice Chair, Jerry Levine, N. California Secretary, John Clark, Mississippi

1998-2000 Term

Don Gallion, West Virginia Bob Hendry, Florida Lou Auletta, Connecticut Richard Massarich, Kentucky John Clark, Mississippi Bruce Buckland, Missouri Michael Granat, S. California Jerry Levine, N. California

1998-1999 Term

Jerry Giles, Virginia Leigh Shockey, Tennessee George Herrera, Michigan Sam Baker, Upstate New York Edward Hayward, Minnesota Joel Severinghaus, Nebraska Wayne Barlow, Utah Jan Sandhouse-Hurst, Rocky Mountain

Alternates

Rhett Willis, South Georgia Robert Rice, Maryland/Washington, D.C. Sven Langmack, Northern Ohio John North, Indiana Scott Baranski, Illinois Jerry Graham, Lone Star Berneice Bowers, Hawaii Cheryl Walden, Arizona

COPYRIGHT 1998 U.S. Government Printing Office
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