Expand Your Borders, Expand Your Business
Annual Utah Global Forum to help Utah companies grow internationally
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Our world is no longer defined by arbitrary borders when it comes to trade. Billions of potential customers exist for businesses willing to take their products or services abroad, and the Utah Global Forum on August 26 will arm attendees with the knowledge and tools to look beyond state—and national—borders for business opportunities.
“The Utah Global Forum is our state’s premier international business event,” said Derek B. Miller, World Trade Center Utah president and CEO. “Our goal with this year’s program is to bring in experts from across several industries to help Utah companies seize exporting opportunities and overcome potential challenges.”
The Utah Global Forum will focus on four key components of exporting successfully: marketing in foreign countries, global supply chain, cyber security and international finance strategies. Each topic will be highlighted in an engaging, fast-paced presentation, after which attendees will be able to go to an in-depth breakout session about the subject they found most interesting.
The forum keynote speaker will be Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake. Sen. Flake has a deep background in the policies that are driving today’s economy. Prior to his election to the U.S. Senate, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives and worked as an innovative policy thinker. Sen. Flake will draw upon his wealth of experience and his current seat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to deliver a keynote address to attendees focused on current world affairs and why what happens on the other side of the globe matters here in the U.S.
“The learning and networking opportunities at the Utah Global Forum are invaluable to Utah businesses in a variety of industries,” said Val Hale, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. “It’s an excellent event to attend if you conduct business internationally, are thinking about exporting for the first time or have an interest in international affairs.”
International trade is a big contributor to Utah’s economy, spurring the joint effort between World Trade Center Utah, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and the Salt Lake Chamber to organize the forum. In 2014, Utah exports totaled $12.3 billion. Top export commodities were metals, computer and electronic products, chemicals, food and kindred products and transportation equipment.
“Seventy percent of the world’s purchasing power is located outside of the U.S.,” said Lane Beattie, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. “With the rise of the global economy, there is no good reason Utah businesses shouldn’t capitalize more on these opportunities. The Utah Global Forum will help them do just that.”
Though Utah is a small landlocked state comprised of approximately 2.9 million people, it is one of the top performing states in the nation when it comes to exports. In fact, it is one of the few states in the U.S. with a trade surplus, an estimated $5 billion annually. The facts are impressive, but there is still room to grow. The Utah Global Forum will help Utah companies export successfully, adapt to today’s global marketplace and succeed in untapped markets.
ABOUT WORLD TRADE CENTER UTAH
World Trade Center Utah is a private, nonprofit organization that’s mission is to accelerate international growth for Utah companies through our global network, programs, and services. Officially joining the World Trade Center Association in 2007, the organization has helped companies throughout the state actualize their global potential and was recognized with the 2021 President’s “E” Award for Export Service — the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. For more information, visit wtcutah.com or follow @WTCUtah on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
