The Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) – A Truly Dynamic Group of Professional Women

OWIT is a worldwide non-profit organization that focuses on helping

 women develop and execute global trade opportunities.

I had the pleasure of attending the OWIT Spring Board Meeting held in Washington DC this year.  In attendance were members from not only all over the U.S. but also from other countries who came as representatives from their respective chapters, as I had done for the NY Chapter where I serve as the Vice President.

Notably, we have a new U.S. chapter – OWIT Utah – which is a group of experienced and energetic leaders in the Utah business community.  OWIT Cairo has also returned as an active chapter which I personally thought was fantastic news given all of the changes that the country and its people have undergone over the last couple of years.

Other exciting developments include solid prospects for new chapters in London and India, growing membership within our newly formed “Virtual Members” group, and an OWIT partnership with WEConnect, which is an international organization that certifies women-owned businesses.

For more information about OWIT, check out www.owit.org and for more about the NY Chapter, you can find us at www.owitny.org.

Join us on our LinkedIn Page and I hope to see you at a future event or in attendance at one of our educational webinars!

Questions/comments?  Post below or email me at clark.deanna@gmail.com

ciao ciao!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duty Drawback Event This Wed. With OWIT-NY

Come join me Wednesday evening for an informative discussion exploring the benefits of using drawback for duty savings.

Date: Wednesday, November 16th, 2011
Time: Networking and refreshments at 6:00pm. Program commences at 6:30pm.
Location: Law offices of Baker & McKenzie in the Grace Building, 1114 Avenue of the Americas (the entrance is on 42nd Street directly across from Bryant Park.) New York, NY
Cost: $20 for OWIT-NY members, students and government employees, $25 for non-members

OWIT-NY guest speaker Brenda L. Sweetman has 25 + years experience in the field. She is the Vice President of C.J. Holt & Co., Inc. (CJH), a company that specializes in full service duty drawback assistance. She has managed drawback programs for companies in a wide variety of industries and now focuses on new account development. Brenda taught drawback courses for the World Trade Institute for many years and is now doing the same for World Academy. She is also a member of the teaching staff at Global Trade Academy and has also authored many articles on the topic of duty drawback.

About OWIT-NY:

The Organization of Women in International Trade - New York (OWIT-NY) is a non-profit organization that provides support, inspiration, information and networking opportunities to women and men who are active members of the international trade community.

Our members represent a diverse range of occupations, including banking, finance, communications, customs and trade law, education, government and diplomacy, import and export trade, insurance, technology, trade-related non-profits, transportation and international services.

OWIT-NY is an affiliate chapter of the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT).

To register for this event click here. Hope to see you there!

OWIT-NY’s Annual Membership Appreciation and Networking Night This Monday

Organization of Women in International Trade - New York Chapter

Come join me for OWIT-NY’s Annual Membership Appreciation and Networking Night!

You will receive a FREE drink if you sign up or renew your OWIT-NY membership on or before the big event!

Date: Monday, September 26, 2011
Time: Networking and refreshments at 6:00pm
Location: This event will be held at the Bryant Park Grill roof terrace located on 42nd street between 5th and 6th Avenues.

Walk in the main entrance, go straight to the back of the bar and proceed up the stairs. In case of inclement weather, we will move inside.

Look for the OWIT membership table with the turquoise, white and silver colored balloons!

Cost: FREE, with a cash bar

For more information, click here.

Hope to see you there!

OWIT International – A Supportive Network That Promotes the Growth of Women in International Trade

Recently, I had the pleasure of being a part of the annual global meeting for the Organization of Women in International Trade. My chapter (New York) had been intending to host this year's annual meeting and we purposely chose the date to have it during World Trade Week NYC.

As it turned out, May was a month of graduations, soccer and other sports playoffs, and weddings, among other activities. Being a network that is supportive of women (which does not mean only made up of women, as we also have male members), it was decided instead to have a video conference. While it was not as fun as a weekend in NYC, it was a great conference!

Representatives from chapters around the country participated, and other international branches joined in on the call as well, including representatives from Canada, Peru, Switzerland, Kenya and Mexico.

Serving as the Vice President to the New York chapter, and having been a member for about 4 years now – 3 of which have been on the Board of Directors - I have seen the rapid development that has occurred with OWIT-NY thanks to technology. A focus on using technology to further promote the organization and to advance its agenda to, for example, educate its members and friends in the trade community via webinars, was a large part of the discussion during the video conference.

We acknowledged the success of the webinars for both developing our members as well as the organization, and the benefits of collaborating with entities providing technology-based services, such as the trade data provider, Import Genius, with whom OWIT members will get a discount on the cost of services from.

In addition, it was recognized that the development of OWIT-International’s Facebook and LinkedIn profiles, which serve to advance our marketing efforts as well as to promote awareness about the organization, have been valuable tools worth putting further resources towards.

The collaboration and caliber of women was impressive and I feel lucky to be a part of such a dynamic and talented group of women.

For more information on OWIT International, click here.

For more information on OWIT-NY click here.

Questions/comments? Post below or email me at clark.deanna@gmail.com

OWIT-NY Wine Tasting Event This Thursday!

As Vice President to the OWIT-NY Board, I’d like to invite you to kick off 2011 with the New York Chapter of the Organization of Women in International Trade as we host a private wine tasting at the popular Morrell Wine, a premier wine and spirits store in Rockefeller plaza.

The evening will consist of a presentation and wine tasting of 6 wines (a mixture of red, white and dessert) from 6 different emerging wine-producing countries. During the tasting presentation there will be a selection of Murray’s cheeses and breads to complement the wines.

Join us to taste these international wines and cheeses and combine the satisfaction of working in international trade and the educational experience of understanding emerging wine markets.

Date: Thursday January 27, 2011
Time: Wine presentation 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm followed by networking and personalized wine shopping with Morrell's wine expert
Location: Morrell Wine Store
One Rockefeller Plaza (49th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues)
New York, NY
Cost: $50 for members and $55 for non-members

Space is limited, to ensure a seat please register online Click Here.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to make what is sure to be a really fun event, but I wanted to at least pass the message along in case you can!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter.com/OWITNY for the latest news and events in international trade.

Questions/comments? Post below or email me at clark.deanna@gmail.com

Understanding the Working Relationship between Customs Brokers, Freight Forwarders, and NVOCCs

Come Join Me for the Next OWIT-NY Event Tonight Monday (22-Nov-2010) at 6 pm

This program will address the relationships that exist between importers/exporters and their Customs Brokers, Freight Forwarders & NVOCCs (non-vessel operating common carriers).

Featuring: William Shayne, Esq. of Shayne Law Group, P.C. (Hooray SLG!)

William Shayne has been working in the Customs Brokers, Freight Forwarders & NVOCC industries before transitioning to the practice of law. A major portion of his practice is representing each of these different entities as well as importers and exporters.

He will look at these relationships from both a practical and legal perspective and from both the service provider and consumer perspectives.

The program will include discussions relating to each of their respective responsibilities and liabilities, and the practicalities of working with them.

Time: Networking and refreshments at 6:00pm. Program commences at 6:30pm.

Location: Law offices of Baker & McKenzie in the Grace Building
1114 Avenue of the Americas (the entrance is on 42nd Street directly across from Bryant Park.) New York, NY

*** Cost ***: $20 for OWIT members , students, and government employees
$25 for non-members

GO TO WWW.OWITNY.ORG TO SIGN UP! Hope to see you there!

Join Me for a Panel Discussion With Apparel Designers From Spain During Fashion Week

“Panel on Spanish Apparel Designers in New York City” featuring
Toni Francesc, Designer of Toni Francesc brand; Jose Miro, Designer of Jose Miro brand; and other industry experts.

Register now for the September 16th meeting of the Organization of Women in International Trade, New York Chapter (OWIT-NY)

IN COLLABORATION WITH

The Spain-US Chamber of Commerce, The Catalonia Trade & Investment Agency (Acc1o), and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)

This event will provide case studies on how Spanish apparel companies have successfully entered the New York City market, and illuminate the significant economic impact of the global apparel trade in New York City.

Discussion topics may include, but are not limited to: strategies for New York market entry, perspectives on the New York apparel marketplace, and Spanish fashion trends.

Time: Networking and refreshments at 6:00pm.
Program commences at 6:30pm.

Location: Fashion Institute of Technology, Seventh Avenue at 27th Street, New York, New York. Event being held in the "Boardroom" C-building 9th floor.

*** Cost ***:$20 for OWIT/Spain-US Chamber of Commerce members, students, and government employees; $25 for non-members.

To attend, please register on-line Click Here. Online registration is available up to 24 hours before the event. If you miss the on-line registration, you can choose to pay by cash or check at the door provided there is still space available. Please note that the event is limited to 60 people.

For the latest copy of the OWIT International newsletter, where OWIT-NY is prominently featured please go to www.owit.org and login to the member area.

Great new membership benefits:
20% discount off all of World Academy Seminars and consulting services.
20% discount off membership to the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce - this offer is only valid until September 30th.

Finally, don't forget to follow us on Twitter.com/OWITNY.

I will be there and look forward to seeing you at the next OWIT-NY event!

Questions/comments? Post below or email me at clark.deanna@gmail.com

OWIT-NY Event on March 16, 2010 6 pm: "Transcendental Security"

Featuring Ken Wheatley MA, CPP, Sr. Vice President, Sony Electronics, Inc.

The Industrial Revolution, Quality Circles, and Product Design. Is "Security" or Enterprise Risk Management the next business transformation? Do you know what The Great Barrier Reef, Hair Growth, and Bad Supply Chain Security all have in common?

Do you know how to stop “The Drip” that could up-end your trade operations?

There are eight leadership skills. How might two of them be holding you, or your clients, back from having a world-class strategic security program?

Join us for a lively discussion and multimedia presentation on these and other aspects of transforming your business operations and transcending perceived obstacles. For starters, there are two questions Ken would like you to think about and send him your thoughts before the meeting:

Why does your company exist? Why do you (and your employees/co-workers) get up every day to go to work?

Please send your answers to him at: ken.wheatley@am.sony.com as soon as possible.

Date: Tuesday March 16, 2010.

Time: Networking and refreshments at 6:00pm. Program commences at 6:30 pm and concludes by 8:00pm.

Location: Law offices of Baker & McKenzie at the Grace Building, 1114 Avenue of the Americas (between Fifth and Sixth Avenues), New York, New York. The entrance is on 42nd Street directly across from Bryant Park.

Cost: $20 for OWIT members, students and government employees
$25 non-members

*MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE: Any OWIT-NY member accompanied by an importer, exporter, or freight forwarder will be awarded a free pass (valued up to $25) to a future OWIT-NY event.

To attend, register on-line by clicking on the “Events" section at www.owitny.org. Online registration is available up to 24 hours before the event. If you miss the on-line registration, you can choose to pay by cash or a check at the door provided there is still space available. Please note that the event is limited to 45 people.

Hope to see you there!