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NEWS
RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Iron Mountain - On January 10, 2001, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Dickinson County Chamber of Commerce held a regional TradeRoots conference in Marquette. The conference was for chamber and economic development staff and business executives interested in leading an international business development program, or those in the process of building such skills within their organization. Leslie Schweitzer, Senior Trade Advisor, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, indicated that the Upper Peninsula conference was the first in a series planned through out the nation. Todd Gustafson, Executive Director of the Dickinson County Chamber of Commerce noted, "One out of every five manufacturers with 100 employees or less in the country already exports. We're a perfect fit for exporting. The majority of the manufacturers in the Upper Peninsula employ less than 100 employees. So our region needs a program like this to help our manufacturers succeed. 96% of the world's population lives outside of the United States. That's where the consumers are." The conference was a continuation of Gustafson's participation in the TradeRoots Leadership Program. In November 2000, Gustafson was one of 50 Chambers selected to participate in TradeRoots in Washington, D.C., and the only one from Michigan. "I am very pleased that our region was the first to host a conference outside of Washington, D.C. It helped us identify a need and encourage the stakeholders in the region to develop a regional export advisory entity. Based on the encouraging feedback I received from the participants, we're going to do just that." stated Gustafson. Nearly 40 participants, representing small and mid-sized businesses, chambers and economic development offices, from all over the Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin attended. They listened to local business executives discuss their export experience and to trade experts from Milwaukee, Lansing and Washington, D.C. talk about the numerous trade programs and services that exist at the state and federal levels. "This conference was invaluable to companies interested in trade. It provided them an opportunity to tell their story, network with their peers and it also highlighted trade as a positive occurrence for the community. Far too often we here the terrible stories about the disadvantages of trade, but rarely do we hear how trade brings new money into an area and creates and sustains jobs. Trade is good", exclaimed Schweitzer. The businesses that participated on a panel to discuss their export experiences were Loadmaster from Norway, Pisces Industries from Escanaba and Pioneer Surgical Technologies from Marquette. CONTACT: Bruce Orttenburger (906) 774-2002
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