News

WTCGP Women's Breakfast Roundtable

March 11, 2026 - In celebration of International Women's Day, World Trade Center Greater Philadelphia and the British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia hosted a breakfast roundtable on Monday, March 9 at the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, gathering leaders from the Philadelphia international business community. The event was centered on womanhood on a global scale, exploring how women in international business are building opportunity across borders, shaping the next generation of leaders, and leveraging global networks for impact here in Philadelphia. The program began with welcoming remarks and sponsor insights from RKL LLP and Citrin Cooperman. Participants then introduced themselves around the table before moving into a moderated discussion. Throughout the conversation, we discussed our paths into international business, our mentors and networks that have helped shape our careers. We discussed how the field of international business has evolved and how we can collaborate to change it even further. Communities and conversations such as the one we had this week, reflect our mission to strengthening connections and supporting the leaders who drive international business in our region. Read More

WTC Winnipeg & WTCGP Deepen Cross-Border Links

December 2, 2025 - In mid-November, World Trade Center Greater Philadelphia President & CEO, Thomas Young, and Chief External Affairs Officer, Tom Levy, traveled to Winnipeg to meet with World Trade Centre Winnipeg’s team, deepening the growing relationship between our two regions and exploring opportunities ahead of the 2026 WTCA GBF, to be held April 19-22 in Philadelphia. Over two days of meetings, tours, and roundtable discussions, WTCGP connected with leaders across Manitoba’s manufacturing, agriculture, life sciences, logistics, technology, and economic development communities. The visit reinforced what both regions already know: Philadelphia and Winnipeg share real synergies, and there is significant potential for bilateral trade and collaboration.’ Representatives from Bioscience Association Manitoba, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, CentrePort Canada, Manitoba Environmental Industries Association, Supply Chain Manitoba, and others shared perspectives on shared challenges, emerging opportunities, and the importance of creating continuity between the two regions. Many noted that participation in GBF creates meaningful follow-through, giving businesses the chance to reconnect with partners they met the year before. Every attending partner that Winnipeg brought to the 2025 GBF in Marseilles has expressed interest in attending the 2026 event in Philadelphia, further endorsing the value of attending. Government engagement helped reinforce the momentum of the visit. In meetings with Deputy Mayor Markus Chambers and Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Jamie Moses, both sides talked openly about where the regions naturally align and how they can build long-term connections. Thomas Young emphasized the shared strengths across manufacturing, life sciences, agriculture, logistics, and technology, and noted that Philadelphia chose Winnipeg as its only Canadian stop because of the strong relationship between the two World Trade Centers. Minister Moses underscored the value of these conversations, reminding the group that “when you make a business investment, you invest in people.” Deputy Mayor Chambers echoed the sentiment, expressing interest in continuing the collaboration and finding practical ways for both regions to move forward together. The visit also included an in-depth look at CentrePort Canada, where its strategic position as a trimodal inland port and the new rail park development demonstrated how significantly the region is expanding its logistics capacity. The tour of Fort Garry Fire Trucks offered an inside look at Winnipeg’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, including fire trucks shipped across the world—with some even making their way to Pennsylvania. Across every meeting and conversation, the themes stayed consistent: shared strengths, aligned sectors, strong leadership, and a network that opens doors across 300+ cities worldwide. As Tom Levy put it, “ Joining our network is like opening 300 doors across the globe.” The visit concluded with a clear sense of purpose. Both WTCs recognize the value of strengthening these ties and the opportunity ahead with the Global Business Forum. With Philadelphia hosting GBF in April 2026, WTCGP looks forward to welcoming Winnipeg’s business community and continuing to build a partnership rooted in real trade potential and global opportunity. Read More

Spotlight on Collaboration: PA's Global Potential

April 9, 2025 - From March 21–23, the World Trade Center Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) proudly hosted the Diaspora Property Expo, an international gathering focused on fostering real estate and investment opportunities between Ghana and the United States. A key highlight of the event was a joint panel featuring Thomas Young , President & CEO of WTCGP, and Brian K. Oglesby , President & CEO of WTC Pittsburgh. Together, Thomas and Brian led an engaging discussion on commercial real estate opportunities across Pennsylvania, representing the state’s two major urban markets—Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. While each leader highlighted the strengths of their respective regions, the conversation naturally expanded to explore statewide synergies, including prominent sectors like agriculture, which hold particular promise for U.S.-Ghana trade relations. This partnership is a strong example of how the WTC network contributes to a larger, statewide effort to build meaningful international connections. As part of a growing coalition preparing to host the WTCA Global Business Forum in Philadelphia in 2026, WTCGP is proud to play a role in positioning Pennsylvania as a welcoming and opportunity-rich destination for global business. Read More

Bassetts Ice Cream: WTCGP Member Success Story

July 1, 2024 - Alex Strange doesn’t know what his great, great, great grandfather would say if he knew that Bassetts ice cream is now being sold in China, Taiwan, and South Korea. “The world was so different in 1861. To explain that our ice cream is still made in Pennsylvania and shipped to Taiwan. I hope he would be proud,” Alex explains.It’s certain that Louis Dubois Bassett, a Quaker teacher and farmer in Salem, New Jersey had no idea his unique ice cream recipe would become an international commercial success in countries historically not known for including ice cream on the menu. It was 1861 and Abraham Lincoln was serving his first term as President, when back on the farm, Dubois’ mules were churning small batches of the savory ice cream. In 1885 Dubois opened a retail location at 5th and Market Street in Philadelphia. BASSETTS FOUNDER, LOUIS DUBOIS BASSETT When Reading Terminal Market opened its doors in 1892, Bassetts moved its retail store and started production in the store’s basement. Today, Bassetts is the last remaining original merchant at Reading Terminal and is known as “America’s Oldest Ice Cream.” WHAT MAKES BASSETTS ICE CREAM SO DELICIOUSLY CREAMY? “We use a 16.5% butterfat recipe that incorporates the highest quality dairy and flavoring ingredients.”When President Barack Obama visited Bassetts, he ordered mint chocolate chip but with over thirty-five ice cream flavors, vanilla continues to be the most popular, “we source our vanilla beans from Madagascar,” says Alex. “In fact, several years ago storms in Madagascar had caused a shortage of vanilla and prices worldwide were through the roof, exceeding the price of silver. A lot of companies turned to Mexico and other sources for vanilla, but we would never affect the quality of our ice cream or deviate from my great grandfather’s original recipe.”Alex first started learning about the family business when he started working summers during high school. “I was living in Memphis and would come to Philadelphia to stay with my uncle. I scooped my first cone as a professional at the store at Reading Terminal Market when I was fifteen. “In May 2008, Bassetts first order of ice cream was sent by container ship to Beijing, China. President and CEO, Michael Strange worked with Sung Gongyun (James Sun) to establish the Beijing Sino-American Food Company which now has a retail locations and distribution to restaurants, hotels, and grocery stores. L to R: Roger Bassett, former General Manager, Retail Operations with Michael Strange, President and CEO That might explain how Alex spent one high school summer. “I ended up working a third shift production job for a project we were doing for China— making moon cakes. We had these chocolate molds, and it would make a shell and we would fill it with Bassetts vanilla ice cream with a raspberry sorbet center. Nights were long. Our production was running 24 hours per day. But I loved it.”“The next year I became a driver, delivering products all over Philadelphia. I got to experience the wholesale side of the business and interacted with kitchen staff and chefs and got to see what all these different kitchens looked like,” Alex says with a smile. “Uncle Michael also taught me our accounting system one year.”Alex had the opportunity to sit with his late grandmother Ann Bassett to learn more about the family history. Ann Bassett is known as the driving force behind the company’s expansion and as President she incorporated the wholesale business in 1977 and expanded distribution to New York and other parts of the country.“I still call my Uncle Roger often.” Roger Bassett is the former General Manager of Retail Operations and once owned the retail store at Reading Terminal Market for many years.As Executive Vice President, Alex is responsible for the day-to-day operations. “We all do what needs to get done. We empower our team to be nimble and take care of customer needs as quickly as possible. I often answer incoming calls and handle the issue myself. ALEX ALSO GETS INVOLVED IN THE INTERNATIONAL SIDE OF THE BUSINESS WHICH CONTINUES TO GROW In 2017, the very first Bassetts Ice Cream store was unveiled in South Korea. Harbour Buffet Restaurant, Taiwan’s all-you-can-eat restaurant chain has included Bassetts Ice Cream on their menu at seven locations since 2020.“If it wasn’t for the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP), we would not be exporting,” Alex confirms. “The WTCGP has guided us and been there when we needed them. Dale (Dale Foote, International Trade Specialist) just recently helped us with a labeling issue which would have delayed our delivery.Alex has learned the process to ship Bassetts across the ocean. “It takes about 45 days to ship ice cream from port to port and then a few more weeks in customs before our customers receive the shipment. Ice cream needs to be held in negative 20-degree Fahrenheit temperatures, the colder the better. And he adds, “it is actually cheaper for us to ship ice cream to Southeast Asia than it is to ship to Florida.We ship to Florida by pallet and the domestic LTL (Less than Trailer Load) requires several stops. It’s more economical to ship an entire container.” “All of our product is first transported from our facility to a reefer truck, which is a giant air-conditioned unit with controls where we can monitor the temperature over the duration of the journey.” The Bassetts American brand is widely enjoyed in Southeast Asia markets, and there are preferences. “American customers tend to want the rich chocolate flavors but in China and Taiwan for instance, they prefer our fruit and nut flavors. When I was at a show in South Korea, we ran out of Macadamia nut before all the other flavors.” Bassetts Location in the Reading Terminal Market “You also need to know customs and protocol for these countries,” Alex explains. “When someone hands you a business card, use two hands to accept it and take the time to read the card. It is disrespectful to just put it in your pocket. “ Before joining Bassetts full-time, Alex spent two years after college working at Hormel Foods where he gained important skills. “I wanted someone who wasn’t sharing my last name to tell me how I was doing.”“I started as a smoke house manager where we were responsible for taking raw lunch meats to a ready to eat product. It is a very critical process.” “After a few months I was promoted to the stuffing department where I was responsible for fifteen people and then I was promoted again and managed a 25-person team. At one point, I was running three departments. It was a great experience. After that time, I called my uncle Michael and told him I was ready to come back.”What’s next for Bassetts? “This year has been great, even though dairy costs continue to rise, and it is the highest it’s ever been, we stay on top of costs. We are always looking to expand into other markets and WTCGP and the Authorized Trade Representatives are helping.”“My grandmother and Uncle Michael would tell me that if the bank needs money, you can’t send ice cream cones.” Just about every morning you can find Alex Strange behind the ice cream counter at Reading Terminal. “EVEN WITH ALL OF THESE THINGS WE NEED TO KEEP TRACK OF, I STILL NEED TO START MY DAY AT THE STORE ENGAGING WITH CUSTOMERS. I LOVE ICE CREAM. IT’S FUN!” Read More

WTCGP Honors Bond with Sister City WTC Tianjin

April 29, 2024 - On April 22, 2024, a significant milestone was reached as the World Trade Center Greater Philadelphia and World Trade Center Tianjin united to fortify the bonds between two dynamic cities. For 45 years, the sister-city relationship between Philadelphia and Tianjin, China, has served as a testament to the power of global connections. At this crucial meeting orchestrated between the World Trade Centers, members of the World Trade Center Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) seized the chance to confront the challenges and embrace the vast potential of conducting business in the Chinese market. Among the highlights was a captivating fireside chat featuring Mr. Dezhi Jiang, the esteemed Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Tianjin Sub-Council (CCPIT Tianjin). Guided by Chairman Jiang's expertise, attendees delved into the intricacies of China's business landscape, uncovering joint ventures and mutual prospects. The conversation navigated through the complexities of utilizing the CCPIT/WTC channels, unlocking access to a vast network comprising over 50 sub-councils, 600 branch councils, and 20 professional sub-councils nationwide. The positive energy from the meeting carried over into the following day, where the leadership of the World Trade Center Greater Philadelphia had the opportunity to further cement connections. President and CEO Thomas Young, COO Ron Drozd, and Director of Communications Denzell Wallace engaged in a fruitful lunch meeting with Tianjin's Executive Vice Mayor, Guiping Liu, with both his mayoral and WTC-Tianjin/CCPIT’s trade and investment delegations. WTCGP included member companies Jeff Ji, President, U-Combination Technology, and Barrett Fisher, President, Van Horn, Metz & Company, to discuss opportunities overseas. The discussions focused on exploring concrete avenues for fostering business growth and investment opportunities between the cities, demonstrating our commitment to the future of this partnership. The visit concluded with a sister city celebration orchestrated by WTCGP's partner, the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia. Philadelphia's Mayor Cherelle Parker declared Tuesday, April 23, 2024, Tianjin Sister City Day in Philadelphia, emphasizing the enduring relationship and the importance of citizen diplomacy. Looking forward, WTCGP is planning a visit to Tianjin, China, in November 2024 with a business delegation to deepen their collaboration further and explore new avenues for cooperation. The visit will represent the partnership between the two cities, foster global connections, and increase opportunities for members of WTCGP to grow in the Chinese market. Read More

Thomas Young, CEO of WTCGP, Honored in 40 Under 40

March 13, 2024 - Each year, the Philadelphia Business Journal recognizes the region’s up and coming leaders for annual 40 Under 40 awards program. Thomas Young, President and CEO of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP), is among the select group of Philadelphia leaders to receive this award. This past August, Young made history when he became the first Black President and CEO of the World Trade Center, Philadelphia – a nonprofit global business connector that is one of 320+ World Trade Centers in over 90 countries. Young leverages relationships honed most recently as a senior associate at Bellevue Strategies, where he helped secure $27 million in state funding for capital projects, worked on procurement opportunities for a minority-business portfolio and served as liaison to the Delaware River Port Authority. Read More

Sycamore Intl.: Keeping E-Waste out of Landfills

March 4, 2024 - What do consumers, schools, companies, and organizations do when electronic devices and gadgets stop working or become obsolete? Unfortunately, America has garnered a reputation as a “throw-away society.” The World Health Organization stated that E-waste is the fastest-growing solid waste stream in the world.Over the last few years, the media has used the term “E-Waste” to report growing health and environmental issues. Electronic devices contain hazardous chemicals that can contaminate soil and pollute our water and air when not properly disposed.According to The World Counts, "The world generates around 40 million tons of electronic waste every year, worldwide. That is like throwing away eight hundred laptops every second.” Some startling facts: An average cellphone user replaces their unit once every 18 months. E-waste comprises 70% of our overall toxic waste. Only 12.5% of E-Waste is recycled. Electronics contain lead which can damage our central nervous system and kidneys. E-waste contains hundreds of substances, of which many are toxic. This includes mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium, selenium, chromium, and flame retardants. Steve Figgatt spent his summers working in an IT job at a local PA school district. He witnessed first-hand the challenges K-12 schools faced to responsibly recycle their electronic equipment. “I FOUNDED SYCAMORE INTERNATIONAL IN JUNE 2010. I REALIZED THERE WAS UNREALIZED VALUE IN THE DOWNSTREAM SUPPLY CHAIN, SO WE FOCUSED ON RE-PURPOSING SOME OF THE HARDWARE.” Sycamore International is based in West Grove, PA, and for the past 14 years has been helping schools and organizations reclaim their value from laptops, desktops, phones, tablets, and servers. “Sycamore grew around the concept of refurbishing functional devices for reuse and responsibly recycling truly obsolete devices,” explains Figgatt. “We scaled up our operations over time from a garage to larger rented warehouse facilitates before settling in our 16-acre processing complex in West Grove. We now operate a fleet of trucks serving hundreds of large organizations across the mid-Atlantic and northeast of the United States.” HOW DO THEY DO IT? Sycamore International employs seventy experts who implement the valuable services organizations need to manage the challenges of electronic disposal.Sycamore’s Information Technology Asset Disposition (ITAD) Services include everything from pickup and packaging of the devices and hardware to data destruction and shredding. Sycamore will evaluate the inventory needed to be discarded and follow the proper due diligence to determine if the piece can be salvaged and refurbished. “WE’RE A NAID-AAA CERTIFIED PROVIDER THAT COMPLIES WITH ALL DATA PROTECTION LAWS AND ACTIVELY SEEKS WAYS TO MODERNIZE OPERATIONAL PRACTICES.” HARD DRIVES SHREDDED BY SYCAMORE INTERNATIONAL Every piece of electronic equipment has stored data that can create security nightmares for companies and organizations. Sycamore meets or exceeds the NIST 800-88 and DoD 5220.22-M standards for data security.In addition to removing any stickers and labels, “All data is digitally destroyed on storage mediums using a variety of methods to overwrite the entirety of standard platter drives repeatedly, followed by final verification steps. Data on solid-state drives is accomplished through a similar, but slightly different encryption-based overwriting process, depending on the specific model. For Apple products, we will coordinate with your staff to ensure they can successfully dis-enroll all devices from your DEP system (if applicable) ideally prior to equipment removal, as well as ensuring iCloud removal, which is necessary for effective data destruction.”Sycamore technicians will test all the pieces and provide a report on functionality and condition. Any pieces that are not salvageable will be safely recycled. ONE OF SYCAMORE’S CUSTOM BUILT DATA WIPING SERVERS. EACH IS CAPABLE OF WIPING 320+ DRIVES CONCURRENTLY. “Over 80% of our revenues are derived by refurbishing electronics for further reuse. Sustainable business was always a core of our mission.”World Counts reports that “85% of our E-Waste are sent to landfills and incinerators are mostly burned and release harmful toxins in the air!”Sycamore can proudly state that “No equipment received by Sycamore goes to a landfill,” as proof in these certification details,” all equipment is sorted and recycled inside of our secure R2-certified facility in accordance with R2v3 (Sustainable Responsible Electronics Recycling), ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety) standards.” SYCAMORE IS ALSO THE FIRST INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ASSET DISPOSITION FACILITY IN THE WORLD TO OPERATE A SOLAR MICROGRID WAREHOUSE. TWO ESS ENERGY WAREHOUSE LONG DURATION ENERGY STORAGE IRON FLOW BATTERIES USED TO OPERATE A MICROGRID, PEAK LOAD SHAVE AND PARTICIPATE IN ANCILLARY GRID SERVICES AT SYCAMORE INTERNATIONAL. “In collaboration with Terra Sol Energies, we pioneered distributed renewable energy development by installing and operating the first solar microgrid coupled with an ESS Energy Warehouse Iron Flow Battery in the Eastern US. As we developed and optimized this system design, we've demonstrated that distributed domestic renewable energy production coupled with energy storage is completely commercially viable today. Steve Figgatt found out about the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia’s Selling to the World Program through the Chester County Economic Development Council. “We were doing some international direct sales to customers in the UK and UAE prior to engaging with WTCGP.” Ron Drozd, WTCGP's Chief Operating Officer (At the time: Director of Export Program and Services), led the Selling to the World Export Training Classes designed to restore and expand the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), both established exporters and new-to-exporting companies, including increasing global access for minority and women-owned businesses (MWBEs). Sycamore International was one of eighteen companies to complete the export training course. “Sycamore also attended our Bringing the World to PA meetings where they met with Pennsylvania Authorized Trade Representatives from Mexico, South Africa, Singapore (ASEAN), Czech Republic, and Central and Eastern Europe,” explains Drozd. “We also are glad Steve attended the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers (GSGP) PA Trade Mission to South Africa where we set up about six meetings with potential buyers.” “My experience with the WTCGP has been great based on what I've participated in thus far,” says Figgatt. “We're doing $2 million in direct international sales in the UK and UAE as of Q4 2023. Our sales team is working to establish a reliable supply chain of distributors in growth markets around the world.”Most importantly, “Our thoughtful team fully embraces Circular Economy principles in our business model.Sycamore’s annual e-scrap processing capacity is twenty million pounds, and they handle approximately 40,000 devices a month. WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH YOUR DEVICE WHEN IT STOPS WORKING? Read More

Thomas Young Appointed New President & CEO WTCGP

July 31, 2023 - The Board of Directors of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas N. Young as the President and CEO effective August 1, 2023. WTCGP President Linda Conlin retired in January 2023. “I want to thank the entire Board of Directors and the Search Committee for its work over the last seven months in identifying Thomas as our next President and CEO. I know Thomas will be an outstanding President and CEO. Especially want to thank Linda Conlin for her leadership at the WTCGP over the last thirteen years and wish Linda the best in her well-earned retirement,” says Board Chair and Partner, KPMG, Joseph Scalio. “The WTCGP Board of Directors is extremely excited about the public and private relationships which Thomas Young brings to our international network. We are confident that Thomas’ leadership will elevate our influence and develop and grow our membership revenues and number of employees,” said Steven Bradley, Board Vice Chair, WTCGP and Principle, One-Digital. “I am honored and humbled to be appointed new President and CEO of the WTCGP. I would like to thank the Board for their full support, and I look forward to leading this great organization,” said Young. With more than a decade of experience in legislative affairs, policy advising and public engagement, Young joined the Board of Directors of WTCGP in September of 2022. As a WTCGP Board Member, Young also served on the Global Diversity Advisory Council and the Selling to the World program, which is focused on teaching, mentoring, and empowering Minority and Women-Owned businesses to become successful international exporters. Young will transition from his current role as Senior Associate at Bellevue Strategies, a lobbying, advocacy, and strategic communications firm. During his tenure at Bellevue Strategies, Young assisted clients to secure over $27 million state funding for capital projects in the Greater Philadelphia area. Young has served as the liaison to the Chairperson of the Delaware River Port Authority, identifying procurement opportunities for a portfolio of businesses in the infrastructure and professional services industries, and planned, developed, and implemented government relations strategies and legislative agendas for clients at the local and state levels. Young also has experience working with various political campaigns including Ken Lawrence for Montgomery County Commissioner, Donna Bullock for State Representative, and Lynne Abraham for Mayor. Young’s early professional career began in sports when he played professional basketball in Hamburg, Germany, and after returning to the states in 2012, was a basketball coach at his alma mater, Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Young is an alumnus of Committee of Seventy’s Bucholz Fellows and serves on several boards, including the Police Athletic League (PAL) of Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Outward Bound School. Young holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he played basketball and earned All-American honors, player of the year honors, and led the team to the Division II National Championship game. He lives in the Philadelphia area with his wife Melissa and son. About the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit international trade services and membership organization, providing companies in Southeastern PA and Southern NJ with individual trade counseling, educational programs, market research, trade mission support, business networking events, and powerful connections to customers and partners worldwide. The WTCGP is also a member of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) which consists of 320 members in ninety-two countries. Since 2002, WTCGP has helped small and medium-sized companies generate international export sales by a combined $2.3B - Increasing jobs in the region by over 29,000 and furthering its mission “to bring growth and prosperity to businesses, communities, and neighborhoods in Greater Philadelphia and worldwide.” wtcphila.org. Read More

WTCGP Launches Global Diversity Advisory Council

March 8, 2023 - The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) Launches its Inaugural Global Diversity Advisory Council (GDAC) To Advance Initiative to Teach and Empower Minority and Women-Owned Businesses to Become Successful Exporters Philadelphia, PA…March 7, 2023….The World Trade Center has launched its inaugural Global Diversity Advisory Council (GDAC), comprised of distinguished leaders in the Philadelphia business community and in supplier diversity who are dedicated to advancing economic growth opportunities for minority and women-owned business enterprises. (MWBEs). Brian Oglesby, Interim President and CEO of the Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council (EMSDC) and Elizabeth Walsh, President of the Women’s Business Enterprise Center – East (WBEC) are Co-Chairs. GDAC Members include: · Brian Oglesby, Co-Chair, Interim President/CEO, Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council · Elizabeth Walsh, Co-Chair, President, Women’s Business Enterprise Center - East · Kenneth Anderson, Vice President Civic Affairs, Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia · Bridgett M. Battles, Director of Community Engagement and Supplier Diversity, Thomas Jefferson University · Steven Scott Bradley, President and CEO, Bradley & Bradley Associates, Inc. (Vice Chair WTCGP and former Chair African American Chamber of Commerce) · L. Jay Burks, PhD, Director of Supplier Diversity, Comcast Corporation · Iola Harper, Senior Executive Vice President, The Enterprise Center · Casey McCourt, Senior Economic Development Specialist, PECO · Michelle Morin, Global Procurement Leader - Supplier Diversity & Sustainability, Corteva Agriscience · Sundari Pai, Senior Manager, Global Supplier Diversity, Bristol Myers Squibb · Beth Pomper, Director, International Business Development, State of Delaware · Maria Prince, Global Procurement ESG Leader, DuPont · Christina Renna, President, Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey · Natily Santos, Vice President Responsible Sourcing, Aramark & Avendra Group · Lawrence Wooten, Senior Manager, National Supplier Diversity, American Water · Khine Zaw Arthur, PhD, President and CEO, Asian American Chamber of Commerce GDAC Members have already held two monthly meetings (January 20 and February 21) to support the implementation of the Selling to the World initiative: Selling to the World: Growing a Vibrant, Inclusive, and Connected Economy for Greater Philadelphia. The COVID19 pandemic significantly impacted small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including MWBEs. Selling to the World is a transformative public/private sector initiative to generate sustainable and inclusive economic growth and family-sustaining jobs. The initiative is designed to restore and expand the growth of SMEs with a feature program to increase the capacity to transact business globally for MWBEs. The Selling to the World program will provide qualified MWBEs with export training and mentorship and will introduce a global supplier diversity program, a ground-breaking strategy for MWBEs to generate exports by selling into the global supply chains of international corporations. A Global Diversity Advisory Council meeting in session. “Engaging in the global marketplace is no longer a luxury for businesses seeking a greater level of opportunity and inclusion, it is an imperative for growth as a supplier both locally and globally. The GDAC serves as a bridge to the marketplace and convener of partners in an ever-shrinking world to elevate minority businesses who have traditionally been shut out of the market. In collaboration with our regional stakeholder, we will accelerate the movement of the needle,” says Brian Oglesby, GDAC Co-Chair,Interim President and CEO, Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council. “The state of the world economy and the global pandemic negatively impacted women owned businesses disproportionately these past three years; but it has also provided an opportunity to rethink and reinvent business strategies. This program, as presented by the World Trade Center of Philadelphia, will allow women owned businesses the opportunity to expand their business to the world’s stage. WBEC-East is excited to be a part of ensuring the ability of women-owned businesses become more resistant and competent in the face of any future global challenges,” says Elizabeth Walsh, GDAC Co-Chair and President, Women’s Business Enterprise Center – East. GDAC members will provide guidance on the implementation of the MWBE program and help to promote and recruit companies to participate in the first cohort and training in the “Fundamentals of Exporting,” an in-person program in a dedicated learning community. “I am grateful to our GDAC Members who will help support our Selling to the World program for MWBEs in our region. For both non-profits and corporations committed to advancing inclusive economic opportunity, this represents an important opportunity to add value to the MWBEs they serve." This initiative aligns with WTCGP’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and our mission of bringing growth and prosperity to businesses, communities and neighborhoods in Greater Philadelphia and worldwide through global trade and investment,” said Linda Conlin, past president, and current Senior Advisor for Strategic Initiatives, WTCGP. Read More

AKAS Textiles: Mission is All in Its Name

February 22, 2023 - Sharma Family from left to right: Ashrey, Archana, Sidharth and Karishma By Graziella DiNuzzoSidharth (Sid) Sharma has been a textile engineer for forty nine years and his wife Archana (Arch) was once Director of Quality control for a medical device company. “We wanted a better life for our two college-bound children, Karishma and Ashrey so in 2005 we immigrated to the United States from India,” explains Arch.As newly arrived immigrants, Arch continued working at her senior-level corporate job while Sid found work in a textile mill. When Sid’s employer declared bankruptcy in 2010, the Sharma’s decided to start their own manufacturing company. “We used our own family savings. We were newly arrived in America and didn’t have other resources,” says Arch.AKAS Textiles was born in America with a commitment to manufacture only the highest-level sustainable textiles from raw materials sourced only from the USA. “When we came to the US, we brought along a mission to put American mills back to work, and to return pride and global leadership to this country’s textiles industry. In six years, we’ve added more than 650 jobs to the trade, and increased production at our mills from two to four days a week,” says Sid.In 2012, AKAS bought Wazoodle, a Canadian textile company, “they had great products that aligned with ours, including absorbent and organic fabrics. We made the leap and never looked back,” says Arch.Ashrey Sharma, Director of AKAS and Wazoodle Fabrics explains, “We manufacture a total of 427 products with a total of 2073 stock keeping units (SKUs).” From fiber to fabric, AKAS works hard to eliminate the use of pesticides to ensure that “everything we create is made through the lens of sustainability and transparency in the entire supply chain."AKAS cotton fabrics are certified organic by the US Cotton Trust Protocol which traces yarn from the mills directly to the fields. "Our focus is also on using yarns derived from re-cycled bottle waste (Repreve Brand for polyester yarns from Unifi) and Post-Consumer waste for GRS-Cotton yarns (Certified by the Global Recycle Standard). Also, by manufacturing our fabrics entirely on US soil, we help diminish our carbon footprint for every product we create. Minimal travel of the raw materials and fabrics. Then, the finishes we use, are non-toxic - producing fabric that has a very high level of functionality with a very low level of environmental impact or any negative health impact on the user,” explains Arch.Industries which include fashion, self-care, industrial, oil, automotive, sorbent, furniture, medical, fashion, accessories and military have all used AKAS products.Arch adds, “Our fabrics have gone up in space! They have also been a part of the Winter Olympics and underwear for fighter plane pilots.” Arch provides more detail, “For our Zorb - which is our absorbent fabric - we see uses from diapers to chef’s jackets, menstrual pads to cage liners. Even hydroponic gardening and filtration of salt water!For our ProCool series we see a lot of fashion innovations in sportswear specifically.Our FoodSAFE fabrics are used for reusables in the kitchen including baggies, wet bags, bowl covers, un-sponges, liners, un-paper towel & more. Our ProECO line, which features our organic cottons, are used for everything including towels, head wraps, nursing pads, and robes. Our medical grade PUL is used in the medical industry for gowns, bed covers, furniture upholstery & more.”At AKAS every phone call and email is answered. “I love hearing from our clients. Through our retail store, Wazoodle, we are able to service smaller quantities to entrepreneurs who have an idea and a dream. I once received a call from a mom who was working on a product she hoped to launch for hikers and we talked through what she may need,” said Arch.When American inventor, Dr. David Pensak called, he was looking for small quantities of specialized fabric to test his idea. Other textile manufacturers had been unresponsive. After visiting with AKAS facility, Dr. Pensak found what he needed to develop a specialized fabric that would contain the right permeability, thickness, insulation, and impact absorption. Using AKAS fabric technology that is washable, durable and anti-bacterial, Dr. Pensak invented AlchemIce, cooling pouches used for food storage and pain reduction applications by delivering consistent cold temperatures for hours without frost damage. AlchemIce technology is also used to transport human organs for transplant surgeries. Sid remembers the day they first spoke with Dale Foote, WTCGP Trade Specialist, “I talked on the phone with Dale on May 20, 2014. Dale told us about the various export related programs and Arch and Ash attended the Fall PA International Week (PIW) in Sept. 2014 and WTCGP Philadelphia International Showcase Networking Event on Sept. 16 and 17, 2014. That was when the Family was introduced to Dale and since then we have had his support.” Today AKAS has distributors in France, the UK and Australia and they export to Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South America, Africa and Asia.“We are finalizing a new distributor relationship in South Africa as well as South America.”When COVID-19 hit the world, AKAS remained open for business and lobbied to allow mills to resume production. “Our UK distributor was in lock down and questions began coming in from Japan and other places on how to make your own fabric masks. We became the reference point for masks. Our warehouse was completely wiped out of inventory and our website crashed. But our distributors sold more material than the previous year. Everything was discounted. We did not advertise, we wanted to serve the people. We also learned that our fabric masks are 72% more effective than other fabrics on the market. ”In 2021, AKAS was named 2021 Exporter of the Year by the Export – Import Bank of the United States (EXIM). The Exporter of the Year Award recognizes American businesses who use EXIM funding to provide jobs and export goods. Since 2013 EXIM’s small-business financing products have helped AKAS to offer credit terms to international customers and use working capital to fulfill export sales orders. “When we set up the manufacturing in 2010, our 1st Order was for an Export customer in Canada and when Arch heard about EXIM Bank at a conference in 2013 that was when the Exports started increasing,” said Sid. “In 2022, our exports were 25% of our two companies’ total revenue.”Why was the company named AKAS? “We decided to use the first initials of our family Hindi names,” explains Arch. Archana means prayer, Karishma miracle, Ashrey Shelter or Safe Haven, and Sidharth successful, and one who has accomplished all goals (the name of Lord Buddha in Buddhism).The AKAS name is the Sharma family story, which includes staff, clients and vendors emanates from its name. “We prayed for a miracle to have a safe space for our family and everyone we encounter to achieve success.” Read More

MinkeeBlue: Making Life Easier for Women

January 22, 2023 - By Graziella DiNuzzo Sherrill Mosee’s mother was a young teenage mom with a desire to go to college. “She was accepted to the University of Penn but my grandmother said she couldn’t go. She said she couldn’t afford to keep the baby and go to school,” explains Mosee. The reality of her mother’s lost life opportunity would become the catalyst for Sherrill’s life journey. When Sherrill was laid off from her engineering job at Lockheed Martin, she decided it was time to follow her desire to help women succeed by finding solutions to life obstacles. In 1998, Sherrill formed Family Care Solutions, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting higher education among low-income women with children. More specifically, Sherrill’s organization awarded over $3 million in childcare scholarships to help women stay in school while earning a college degree. “We supported over 500 student parents and had a ninety percent graduation rate,” boasts Sherrill. “Today, these moms are accountants, teachers, business owners and more. I get invited to their children’s weddings and graduations.”“Unfortunately, when the economy crashed in 2008, I lost a lot of government funding and had to close my doors to the nonprofit,” explains Sherrill. “However, I was committed to supporting those students who were already in the program until they all graduated. It was during my time working with the moms that I noticed them struggling with their book bag and diaper bag. I was also doing the same thing, commuting to work while carrying my purse, laptop, lunch bag, and shoes in a plastic grocery bag.” Plato is credited for the famous proverb, “ Necessity is the mother of invention .” No doubt, MinkeeBlue’s birth in 2014 filled a great need. “I originally started designing diaper bags because of my work with student moms and I wanted the name Pinky Blue but the domain was taken. I liked the sound of Pinky Blue so I literally went through the alphabet and landed on M for MinkeeBlue,” laughs Sherrill. MinkeeBlue bags are designed to fit everything a woman will need to get through her busy life - from morning through night, and all in style. Visit the MinkeeBlue website and you will see several videos of Sherrill demonstrating how easily everything fits into one stylish tote or backpack. You name it and it all fits neatly and accessibly - laptop, small purse, shoes, lunch bag, and a jacket, with seemingly room to spare. See Video .“My engineering degree provided the training to guide my critical and analytical thinking. It also helped me to design the structural folding shelf in the middle of the bag to withstand the weight of objects without collapsing. I’ve been issued two patents for the functionality,” says Sherrill. Photo credit: Tracy Glover MinkeeBlue was nurtured at the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator giving Sherrill access to Wharton business experts and fashion business luminaries. Elissa Bloom is the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator at Macy’s. “Every year we select designers who are interested in taking their product to the next level by offering a year-long designers-in-residence program. We connect designers with education, resources and business strategies to grow their brands. Sherrill had a very unique product – we are always looking for designers that have a unique value proposition.”Over the course of a year, the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator helped facilitate the connections Sherrill needed to move to the next level. “We connected her to The Workshop at Macy’s in NYC, which teaches women and Minority Owned Businesses how to sell to retail,” explains Bloom. “Sherrill was also given office space at String Theory Charter School.” “It’s so great working out of String Theory,” says Sherrill. I get to work with High School students, teaching them about entrepreneurship and sharing my experience as a business owner in exchange for the office space. The students apply for social media internship opportunities with MinkeeBlue. It’s a great opportunity to work with students again.” Sherrill took advantage of every opportunity to grow, including entering the reality TV show, America’s Big Deal . “I got an email about a new show created by Joy Mangano, the founder of the Miracle Mop. The show highlighted small business owners who had an opportunity to make a two-minute pitch. There were four contestants and whoever sold the most products during the show advanced to the next level. I won!” exclaims Sherrill. Sherrill’s winnings amounted to a $100,000 purchase order from Macy’s. “I was on the premier show in October 2021 and won the first pitch competition. Things just lined up,” says Sherrill.MinkeeBlue is now available for purchase in ten Macy’s stores and online. Sherrill was on hand at Macy’s Herald Square on December 2, 2022 to greet her new customers and answer questions. MinkeeBlue has been featured on the Today Show, the Katie Couric Show and QVC. “She has the drive and perseverance to succeed in the fashion industry,” adds Bloom. In August 2022, Sherrill received an email and a survey inviting her to participate in the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia’s signature event, “Bringing the World 2 PA. ” Every year, the WTCGP arranges meetings with export ready Southeastern PA companies and Authorized Trade Representatives who work and live in various markets around the globe. “Sherrill was great at following-up. I received her survey and she requested to meet with several representatives,” says Dale Foote, WTCGP Trade Specialist. “On September 12 th , Sherrill spent the day in several meetings, and we now have work orders in process with Canada, Mexico, Australia, the UK, Czech Republic and India.”“I first learned about the services offered by the WTCGP while attending a workshop offered by Small Business Development Center at Temple University,” says Sherrill. “While I sell direct to consumers online and have customers from all around the world, I am looking forward to securing a distributor in a global market.” Sherrill admits that her road to entrepreneurial success hasn’t always been easy, “but nothing beats a failure but a try," her mother would always say. Read More

Linda Conlin to Transition as President of WTCGP

November 28, 2022 - After 13 years of dedicated service, Conlin will step down from her role later this year. “I was fortunate to have the opportunity at the WTCGP to continue to work in a field that I know and enjoy with a supportive Board and talented team – all dedicated to helping our small businesses and communities grow through global trade,” says Conlin. “Despite the challenges that the global economy has faced these last few years, I am optimistic about the future and the ability of the WTCGP to bring the benefits of trade to more small businesses, including minority- and women-owned businesses, expanding the impact to more communities in the Greater Philadelphia region.” Over the past thirteen years, the WTCGP received over $3M in grant support from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, providing resources essential to the support of the region’s small business exporters. Under Conlin’s leadership, the WTCGP remained a leading Regional Export Network Partner with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, accounting for up to one-quarter of the state’s overall export results. To highlight the importance of trade as a tool for local economic growth and family-sustaining job creation, Conlin oversaw the production of events like the WTCGP’s Annual Global Business Conference (GBC) and World Trade Centers Day Awards Celebrations, bringing together the best of thought leadership in the industry to Philadelphia’s business community and recognizing companies for their global achievement. Media Contact: Graziella DiNuzzo 609-680-7670 gdinuzzo@wtcphila.org Read More: https://www.wtcphila.org/press-releases/linda-conlin-to-transition-as-president-of-the-world-trade-center-of-greater-philadelphia Read More