The 30th Annual Maine International Trade Day, Trade and Manufacturing Strategies for Global Success, was held on June 3 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport. Nearly 250 attendees were at the daylong event discussing the challenges faced by Maine’s manufacturing community – and how by embracing innovative practices and international markets, many are meeting those challenges.
Following the opening plenary presentation by Al Diggins, President of Canada’s Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium, attendees listened to an interesting and informative panel discussion. SAPPI, Titan Manufacturing, Tex Tech Industries, and Falcon Performance Footwear shared their insights into how their companies are thriving as manufacturers in Maine. The keynote speaker, Patricia Mears of the National Association of Manufacturers, gave her beyond the headlines perspective on how American manufacturing is actually benefiting from international markets. Governor Baldacci, making his final Trade Day appearance, announced the creation of MITC’s newest initiative, which seeks to attract foreign investment to Maine in the advanced textiles and renewable energy manufacturing industries. Following that announcement, an afternoon session was held featuring renowned location strategist Christopher Steele, who discussed how economic development agencies can and should prepare for FDI.
Thanks to everyone who supported Maine International Trade Day, whether as a sponsor, speaker, or attendee. We look forward to seeing you in 2011 back in Portland!
International Trade and Investment Awards for 2010
- Exporter of Year – Fluid Imaging Technologies (Video download)
- Service Provider of the Year – Sprague Energy Corporation (Video download)
- International Innovator of the Year – Lighthouse Imaging Corporation (Video download)
- International Investor of the Year – TransCanada (Video download)
- President's Award – Ruth Greene, Vice President of Planning and Forecasting at Unum
- Future Global Leader Award – Leah Swan
For Trade Day 2010, the Maine International Trade Center added a special session to Trade Day on attracting foreign investment to Maine specifically oriented toward the economic development and business community interested in business attraction and foreign investment development.
The session featured Christopher W. Steele, the President of CWS Consulting Group, LLC. Mr. Steele brings over 18 years of business and urban planning experience to the art and science of location strategy with a unique perspective on how the concept of place impacts business and community successes around the globe. View his presentation: Attracting Foreign Direct Investment to Maine - An Engine for Economic Growth.
MITC gratefully acknowledges our Trade Day 2010 sponsors
Ambassador Sponsor
Diplomat Sponsors
Consular Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
- Bangor Daily News
- Finance Authority of Maine
- L.L. Bean
- Mainebiz
- Maine Port Authority
- Perkins Olson
- Pierce Atwood, LLP
- Portland Press Herald
- U.S. Small Business Administration
Trade Day sponsorship opportunities for 2011
Sponsorship of Trade Day promises excellent exposure to thousands of internationally active
businesses and individuals from around Maine, New England, and Eastern Canada. MITC offers four levels of sponsorship for Trade Day, each providing unique advertising opportunities, including Ambassador, Diplomat, Consular, and Supporting.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of Trade Day 2011, please contact Zeynep Turk at 207.541.7474 or e-mail turk@mitc.com.
