World Trade Center Savannah is calling for nominations to give out it’s 10th World Trade Center Savannah International Business Award.
Given annually, the award recognizes companies that excel in international trade and acknowledges the importance of trade to the region’s economy. It is now open for submission nominations until Aug. 13.
World Trade Center Savannah is a proactive international business and trade development organization that exists to create jobs and attract investment by helping to facilitate foreign direct investment opportunities for the region and by helping regional businesses do business internationally. Once a year, they recognize businesses that are showing an exemplary standard in trade.
“It’s digital and it’s a simple question about the company and their international goals and accomplishments and what makes them worthy of winning this award,” said Leigh Ryan, vice president of the WTC Savannah and WTC Zone 104.
This award is presented to encourage and recognize exemplary corporate leadership for international business or trade that advances relations between the U.S. and other nations as well as creates quality jobs in the region.
The nomination is open to companies of all sizes located in Appling, Brantley, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Camden, Chatham, Charlton, Effingham, Glynn, Jenkins, Liberty, Lowndes, McIntosh, Screven, Burke and Wayne counties engaging in international business. The deadline for submissions is Friday, Aug. 13.
“Really, we’re looking for their story for the year,” Ryan said. “Have they entered into a new market? Have they begun exporting a product to a different country or region; have they begun importing a product to help them in their business that they have not imported in the past? Or, are they brand new to importing or exporting?”
Past winners include JCB, SNF, Alcoa Forgings and Extrusions, D.J. Powers, Savannah Bee Company, Brodie International, DIRTT Environmental Solutions, Koyo Bearings North America and Gulfstream Aerospace.
The award will be presented at the annual Prosperity Through Trade Luncheon, presented by WTC Savannah, at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 20, at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa, 1 Resort Dr.
“World Trade Center Savannah is a regional organization,” Ryan said. “We serve many counties in the southeastern part of the state of Georgia, and our role in working with the counties and the businesses in the community is to help them with their international strategy. That could be making connections overseas through the World Trade Centers Association; WTC is a part of a global organization of over 330 WTC in nearly 100 countries so we have contacts throughout the globe.”
Host business programs educate business communities on opportunities internationally. They can be like doing business in South America or the United Nations or specific programs about compliance.
“We hope to have a lot of nominations for the award this year,” Ryan concluded.
Nominations can be submitted online at wtcsavannah.org/nomination2021 or for information contact Antwone Smoak at [email protected].