International Trade Conference Event Recap

SAFETY, SECURITY, AND COUNTERINTELLIGENCE

Corporate and Personnel Protection in a Global Economy 

 

Posted by Hannah Copenheaver

On Tuesday, May 13, 2014, we held our 15th annual international trade conference at the Eden Resort and Conference Center in Lancaster, PA. The conference was focused on Safety, Security and Counterintelligence and featured experts from the FBI and local companies.

Two breakout session tracks were offered in the morning, allowing attendees to choose sessions to meet their individual needs. 

Breakout Sessions Included:

Mike Allocca from Allocca Enterprises

Cyber Security; Special Agent Michael C. Poston, FBI

Agent Poston discussed criminal invasions into laptops, personal computers, and wireless devices via hacks and bits of malicious code. Since most sensitive data is stored onto computers, companies learned how to protect their data, money, and ideas that are often stolen through cyber intrusions.

What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You: Understanding Export & Import Compliance; Mike Allocca, President, Allocca Enterprises

This session strengthened attendee’s understandings of 

Jim Budd from John S. Connor, Inc.

reasonable care, due diligence, and overall import/export 

compliance procedures. US export regulations and controls, 

including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and ways your 

product might be licensed, was also covered.

Visitor Risk Mitigation: Hardening the Target; Special Agent L.T. Seals, Counterintelligence Specialist, FBI

Special Agent Seals discussed common elicitation techniques and protective measures to take for hosting visitors, during 

facility tours, and during long-term & joint venture scenarios.

John Maffey from M3T Corporation

Assessing Threats in Your Global Supply Chain; Jim Budd, John S. Connor, Inc.

This session provided a variety of information for companies to create their individual risk assessment plans, including mapping cargo flow, identifying business partners, conducting threat assessment, conducting vulnerability assessment, preparing an action plan, and documenting how 

risk assessments are conducted.

Establishing a Safety and Security Program; John Maffey, CPP, PSP, Business Development Manager & Angela Starner, Chief Operations Officer, M3T Corporation

Our Experts from the FBI:
Agent Seals, Agent Poston & Agent Kelly

M3T’s session took a strategic security approach to both physical and digital security. Attendees learned how to circumvent limitations through security surveys, policies and procedures. They also learned how to create a security oriented company culture so that meeting compliances such as PCI DDS, HIPPA/HITECH, STIG, NIST and FDCC best practices are integrated into the forefront of their businesses.

Economic Espionage: Internal & External Threats; Special Agent Charles Kelly, Strategic Partnership Program Coordinator, FBI

Special Agent Kelly taught that companies with competitive edges need to know that their technology, and those with access to it, might be targeted by criminals. If a company developed a process to manufacture an item at less cost than others, then that manufacturing process may be targeted too. Attendees learned how to protect their company from economic espionage and keep their programs and systems secure.

Keynote Luncheon Presentation:

Agent Kelly presenting the
Keynote Presentation

The keynote luncheon presentation “Safety & Security while Traveling & Working Abroad” was given by Special Agent Charles Kelly, Strategic Partnership Program Coordinator, FBI. The presentation focused on how business travelers should take measures to ensure not only the safety and security of themselves but also their business information while traveling outside the United States. The luncheon program started and ended with a networking reception within our “Bringing Resources to YOU!” exhibit area. Many took the opportunity to network with our breakout session speakers, sponsors and other attendees and visited the conference exhibitors to learn more about their products or services.

Enjoying the Luncheon Program

Exhibitors Included:

- Fulton Bank

- John S. Connor, Inc.

- MANTEC

- MTM Linguasoft

- PA’s Office of International Business Development

- Susquehanna Bank

- The Keller Law Firm, LLC

- UPS

- World Trade Center Harrisburg

World Trade Center Harrisburg sends a special thank you to UPS for sponsoring the event at the silver level and Fulton International Group for sponsoring at the bronze level. In addition, thank you to MANTEC and PA’sOffice of International Business Development for partnering with us on the event.

Special Thank You to our Sponsors:

Silver Level Sponsor:

 

 Bronze Level Sponsor:

 

Partner Organizations:

WTC Intern Presents at Lebanon Valley College's Inquiry 2014!

Posted by Luke Stouffer

On Thursday, April 10, I was given the opportunity to present my internship here at World Trade Center Harrisburg as part of the "International Internship Corner" at Lebanon Valley College's Inquiry 2014.  Inquiry is a symposium dedicated to celebrating the scholarly, scientific, and creative achievements of LVC students.  There were several intriguing presentations of scientific experiments, psychological studies, and even a student run record label business to name a few.  However, the "International Internship Corner" was unique in that it brought together three students with international business-based internships to present such possibilities to their peers.  I was fortunate to be presenting with former WTC Harrisburg Intern Cody Richard (currently with Assistive Technology Products) and current World Affairs Council of Harrisburg Intern Christian Eisenhour.  Together, we created a display booth to best integrate our respective internships as one presentation.

Left to Right: Myself, Christian Eisenhour, Cody Richard

We spoke with several curious visitors throughout the evening, including a few students who were interested in succeeding us in our positions.  Each of us happily informed the visitors of our job responsibilities and accomplishments.  I shared several of the "Member Spotlights" that I developed, which can be found on WTC Harrisburg's website.  I also discussed some of the cultural reports, trade leads, events, and market research such as the Harrisburg International Airport Travel Survey that I have worked on during my time as an intern.  Overall, it was a very successful and rewarding night to display what I have learned through my internship as it comes to a close.

International Water Company Welcomes Liberian Delegation

Posted by Hannah Copenheaver

Marc Ward, COO, welcoming Mayor Mvogo

On March 5, 2014, International Water Company hosted a delegation from Monrovia, Liberia, which included the city’s Mayor, Clara Doe Mvogo, and other government officials. The country continues to search for ways to give their citizens clean water and heard about International Water Company’s portable water purification machines as a solution to end this struggle.

International Water Company (IWC) is a York county based manufacturer who takes pride in their main mission: to give clean drinking water to children everywhere. In 2010, the company was launched to provide a solution for just that. From that idea sparked two versions of the Mobile Water Purification System (MWPS). The smaller MWPS can pump 2.5 gallons per minute and the larger can pump 18 gallons per minute. The MWPS machine can operate not only from a generator, but also from solar or wind power. Other unique factors include a simple set up, a backup system in every machine, and only one replacement part, which extras are included.

The Mobile Water Purification System...

... can be solar powered ...

... or can be wind powered!

International Water Company decided to make the event a “grand opening celebration” after hearing the Liberian delegation will be visiting. Stephen Strachan, CEO and Managing Partner, and Marc Ward, COO, welcomed everyone, thanked them for attending, and read letters of congratulation by Governor Tom Corbett and US Senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey. Tours of the facility and demonstrations of the machines occurred during the afternoon. IWC has demonstrated their machines in several different countries, including China and Mexico, and has several installations overseas. IWC remains hopeful that this trip will spark interest for the Monrovia, Liberian officials to purchase one of their purification machines in the near future.

Stephen Strachan, CEO, thanking
everyone for coming

"Welcome to the Grand Opening!"

To view pictures of the “Grand Open House Celebration”, please go to World Trade Center Harrisburg’s Facebook page by clicking here.

To read more about the event from the Central Penn Business Journal, please click here.

Export Credit Insurance Seminar

Posted by Keith Wiley, Intern

On February 19th the World Trade Center Harrisburg hosted an Export Credit Insurance Seminar. Our speaker, John Strayhorn, President of Global Insurance Services, gave a very informative presentation.  Attendees learned an extensive amount about Export Credit Insurance and how to expand sales as well as borrowing capacity.

The following topics were covered:

• Introduction to Short-Term Export credit Insurance
• Requirements for Short Term Credit Insurance
• Single Sale vs. Multi-Buyer (Portfolio) Approaches
• Permits Expansion of Borrowing Case
• Private Sector Credit Insurance Providers
• U.S. Export Import Bank Credit Insurance Policies
• Agricultural Products 
• How to expand your bank credit line using credit insurance

A note on the Export Import Bank of the United States: 

Ex-Im Bank does not compete with private sector lenders but provides export financing products that fill gaps in trade financing. They will assume credit and country risks that the private sector is unable or unwilling to accept. They also help to level the playing field for U.S. exporters by matching the financing that other governments provide to their exporters. With 80 years of experience, Ex-Im Bank has supported more than $600 billion of U.S. exports, primarily to developing markets worldwide. To contact the Eastern Region Office for more information please visit their website.

For more detailed information regarding the above topics covered at the seminar please feel free to visit the Global Insurance Services Website.