Post Event Report
The 16th annual Gulf Coast Trade Alliance (GCTA) was held May 9-11, 2016 in Biloxi, Mississippi, at the Beau Rivage Resort and hosted by the World Trade Center Mississippi. The conference had representatives from the ASEAN Region, China, the Dominican Republic, the Caribbean, Haiti, Canada, and the United States.  As an association of economic development and international trade agencies representing Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida, the Gulf Coast Trade Alliance aims to connect businesses in the four states with international companies, resources, and expertise to enter new markets and grow trade through exports and imports on a global scale. 
World Trade Conference
The theme of the 2016 GCTA Conference was "World Trade Conference" which allowed attendees to hear about different trade opportunities in the Gulf Coast region, North America, the ASEAN Region, E-Commerce in China, and a Caribbean briefing. The two day conference offered many sessions that delivered real value and results by assisting businesses in making global and domestic connections, learn from international trade experts, observe world-class keynotes speakers, opportunities for one-on-one networking, and to showcase their products. 
Conference Sessions
The sessions and keynote speakers included: 
  • "Opportunities in North America - Trade and Investment"
  • "Opportunities along the U.S. Gulf Coast" featuring a panel of Gulf Coast States
    • Alabama - Troy Wayman, Vice President - Economic Development, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce 
    • Louisiana - Britany Banta, Commercial Officer - U.S. Commercial Service New Orleans; and Marion Fox, President of Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development & Tourist Commission
    • Mississippi - Jay Moon, President & CEO Mississippi Manufacturers Association;
      Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner; and Vickie Watters Martin, Canada & Trade Manager, MS Development Authority
    • Florida - Jorge Arce, Director and Senior Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service
  • "Opportunities in the ASEAN Region" 
  • "Wake-up the World with International Trade and Economic Development"
  • "EX-IM Bank and How Can It Assist My International Business"
  • "The IC-DISC - Export Tax Credit Opportunity"
  • "World Trade Center Mississippi Brings Access to Market-leading Foreign Exchange Services"
  • "Gulf Coast Companies Thriving Globally"
  • "AIRBUS- Why the U.S. Gulf Coast" featuring Anthony Baker, Vice President for Customer Support of Airbus Helicopters
  • "Selling Direct to the Chinese Consumer China E-Commerce"
  • "Dominican Republic and the Caribbean"
"[The Gulf Coast Trade Alliance Conference] was informative, pleasant and small enough for everyone to have one on one conversations.  I believe most of this group will keep in touch with each other as we were all connected within the industry and willing with future business."
- Denise Parker of  JW Allen & Company, Inc.
 Networking 

WELCOME RECEPTION:

Consul General of Canada at Atlanta, The Honorable Louise Blais, opened the  first night of  The 2016 Gulf Coast Trade Alliance Conference. The Consul  G eneral    spoke of developing and  fostering relationships among international  business and trade, and she discussed how the automotive industry is very circular between Mississippi and Canada, in particular. The Monday night event ended with a private contributors' dinner, while general attendees enjoyed a night out for dinner in Biloxi.



 
       
INTERNATIONAL FOOD and WINE & BEER PAIRING RECEPTION:

On Tuesday night , the conference attendees were presented with another opportunity to  network as they were treated to International and Southern food paired with wine and local craft beer. The reception took place overlooking the Gulf of Mexico on the resort event deck, and World Trade Center Mississippi  presented everyone with a souvenir wine glass.
Keynote Speakers


The first keynote speaker,  Jay Moon , spoke on "The Global Economy" in regards to Disruptive Technologies, Manufacturing, Logistics and Workforce. He presented interesting statistics and facts concerning changes in manufacturing, logistics and workforce that will be the new "Global Business Reality". Jay Moon is the president and CEO of Mississippi Manufacturers Association and has extensive experience in international markets.



The second keynote speaker was  Anthony Baker , Vice President for Customer Support of Airbus Helicopters, Inc. He spoke at the conference luncheon on Tuesday and discussed why Airbus selected the Southeast United States as their location and how they have been so successful. Baker is responsible for communicating with customers across North America, analyzing and understanding the service needs of current and potential customers and proposing solutions, and for developing the company's strategic service plan to help grow and sustain business. 
2016 Export Achievement Awards
E stablished to recognize excellence in exporting demonstrated by gulf coast businesses and to celebrate their export success, The Gulf Coast Trade Alliance Export Achievement Awards were presented to each state member.  Each winner spoke on a panel during the "Gulf Coast Companies Thriving Globally" session in regards to their export success 
Alabama's winner was  Table Topics,  Raymond G. Zakutney Sr., Chief Financial Officer accepted on behalf of the Elberta, Alabama company.
Oil Center Research International  was the Louisiana winner and the President - Brenda Stelly 
of Lafayette, Louisiana accepted the award. 


 
 




Mississippi's 
Sanderson Farms, Inc.
 was presented the award and Corporate Export Sales Manager, Tommy Satterthwaite accepted on behalf of the Laurel, MS based company. 
Closing Remarks
The
2016 GCTA hosted by World Trade Center Mississippi was a celebration of World Trade and a beginning of the business-to-business forum we are trying to grow in the Gulf Coast Region.  This format was able to bring representatives from around the world to the Gulf Coast to do business.  We look forward to future events in which we will host in-bound delegations for this event in order to do business on the spot rather than just learning of the trade and investment opportunities.
 
WTC Mississippi Board and Staff would like to express out sincere appreciation to all of our volunteers, partners, sponsors, planning committee, and all that helped in making this a successful event.

The  2017 GCTA  will be hosted by the State of Louisiana - more details to come.
 
A Special Thanks to our Sponsors and Partners:
                  Cirlot Agency

Copyright © 20XX. All Rights Reserved.