menu
Achieving our mission requires the WTCSav staff to work behind the scenes every day, maintaining relationships and fostering new ones to increasingly shine a global spotlight on the Savannah region.
Recognized as one of the most active World Trade Centers on the WTCA digital platform during the General Assembly in Algeria.
Organized and supported outbound business development and trade mission to Ireland, another WTCSav target country, for SEDA with the City of Savannah, Visit Savannah and the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.
Led delegation of three regional businesses to Canada, a WTCSav target country, for Centralia, a business development and matchmaking event.
Partnered with Georgia Power to host eight Canadian companies from World Trade Center Winnipeg during the Savannah Gateway Regional Showcase during the Savannah Music Festival.
Hosted 17 Global Education Programs with more than 338 participants.
Facilitated 117 business matchmaking meetings regionally.
Hosted 18 inbound delegations with 207 delegates and coordinated five outbound trade and business development efforts for partners.
Managed 95 trade services project requests from partners, prospects and other World Trade Centers to advance business interests and promote growth.
Received approval from the United States Citizen and Immigration Service for Savannah World Trade Center for Investment (EB-5).
Provided value and services to support 15 separate economic development authorities as partners as well as the City of Savannah as our Founding Investor.
Jan. 26
Forex: Global Currency Exchange
Feb. 4
The Automated Commercial Environment
Feb. 17
The Fiscal Impact vs. the Economic Impact in Foreign-Direct Investment
March 4
Round Table Discussion with Consul General of India
March 15
The Irish Advantage: Wexford County
March 23
C-TPAT Security Program and 2.0 Portal Management
April 4
The World is Coming to Winnipeg, Canada: An Opportunity You Don’t Want to Miss!
May 24
Savannah World Trade Center for Investment Lunch & Learn
July 28
Why Trade With Japan Matters
Aug. 24
Brexit Briefing
Sept. 8
Expanding Into International Markets: Export 101 for Food and Agriculture Companies
Nov. 2
Foreign-Trade Zones Lunch & Learn
Nov. 2
What is a Foreign-Trade Zone? And How Can My Company Benefit?
Nov. 3
Foreign-Trade Zone Operator Session
Nov. 16
Website Design for the Global Marketplace
Dec. 15
CBP: Discussion with Commissioner Kerlikowski
Dec. 20
Record Retention Management: The Road to Import Regulation Compliance
The Savannah Gateway Regional Showcase delegation from Canada.
On April 4-6, 2016, WTCSav, in partnership with Georgia Power, welcomed Canadian delegates from World Trade Centre Winnipeg (WTC Winnipeg) for a business development and trade mission. Known as the Savannah Gateway Regional Showcase, the events served as an opportunity to highlight the assets and business opportunities that exist in the Coastal Georgia region.
The Showcase began with a Global Education Program led by President and CEO of WTC Winnipeg Mariette Mulaire, Assistant Project Manager Annie Henry, and Trade Commissioner of the Canadian Consulate for the Southeast Lisa Stockley. The program highlighted services offered by the Consulate to Canadian businesses located in the Southeast and the business matchmaking forum, Centrallia, which was held in Winnipeg May 25–27, 2016 where WTCSav served as a delegation leader.
During their visit, the eight Canadian companies experienced the coastal region and the opportunities and advantages of doing business in the area. This included a tour of SCAD, DIRTT Environmental Solutions, Inc., a Canadian-headquartered manufacturer located in Savannah, and business-to-business matchmaking meetings.
WTCSav and Georgia Power hosted the delegation from Canada.
On Jan 8, 2016 the United States Citizen and Immigration Service announced it had certified the Savannah World Trade Center for Investment (SWTCI) as an EB-5 Regional Center.
EB-5 Regional Centers are federal government approved organizations for the receipt of foreign investment capital for projects that promote economic development and job creation.
World Trade Center Savannah and the Savannah Economic Development Authority applied for regional center designation under the name Savannah World Trade Center for Investment in October 2014.
"We believe the Savannah World Trade Center for Investment will be an important new resource to attract foreign investment to Savannah," said Scott Center, World Trade Center Savannah chairman. "We have a number of existing Savannah projects seeking investment capital as well as new commercial entities that could locate in Savannah if we could offer EB-5 capital as an incentive."
There are 791 regional centers in the United States accounting for $4 billion in Gross National Product and 41,000 new jobs per year. More than 25 countries have similar programs to attract foreign investment.
"Not only will the Savannah World Trade Center for Investment create significant investment, it will create new job opportunities."
Trip Tollison, World Trade Center Savannah President and CEO
Lower the costs of U.S. based operations engaged in international trade.
Learn more
Commissioner Kerlikowske with SEDA Chairman of the Board Steve Green and World Trade Center Savannah President Trip Tollison.
World Trade Center Savannah was honored to host U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske in 2016. Commissioner Kerlikowske spoke on the impact to the business community relating to trade and travel facilitation and enforcement programs led by Customs and Border Protection.
Savannah regional delegates at Centrallia in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
WTCSav led a delegation to the business-to-business matchmaking forum and trade show, Centrallia 2016 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The purpose of participating in Centrallia 2016 was to honor a reciprocal agreement made with World Trade Centre Winnipeg (WTC Winnipeg) following the business delegation they led to the Coastal Georgia region in April, as well as to establish and further develop relationships between the Coastal Georgia region and Canada.
Centrallia is designed specifically for businesses seeking new opportunities in Canada and throughout the world. The format is simple and effective: each company receives up to fourteen 30-minute meetings with potential partners of their choice. The full program includes targeted one-on-one meetings, a conference component with excellent speakers, a trade show, meals and networking events. Centrallia 2016 brought together approximately 550 participants from more than 20 countries.
The delegation from WTCSav included Joe Steffen, Legal Counsel of Savannah State University, Jason Coley, Regional Project Manager of Georgia Power Company and Dell Keith, Executive Director of the Wayne County Industrial Development Authority.
In addition to participating in Centrallia 2016, delegates were hosted by Duraco Windows & Doors, a Winnipeg-based windows and doors manufacturer. Duraco attended the business delegation in Coastal Georgia a month prior. The company shared both cultural and industrial focuses with the delegation through a guided tour of the Canadian Museum of Human Rights and a tour of their own manufacturing facility. Delegates from WTCSav were able to better understand the Winnipeg, Manitoba region as well as build upon the existing relationships established during the April inbound business delegation.
On Oct. 6, 2016 the 35th annual Governor’s International Awards banquet was held in Atlanta. During the event, three Savannah-based companies and WTCSav partners were honored. DIRTT Environmental Solutions won the International Company of the Year -Medium Category and Savannah Bee Company won the International Company of the Year -Small Category. JCB Inc. was a finalist in the Medium Category.
Held annually, this banquet honors achievements in global trade. This year’s event was sponsored by Atlanta Business Chronicle in partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the World Trade Center Atlanta.
Platinum Partner
Founding Investors
Partners
The World Is Waiting. Open doors of international opportunity with access to business experts all over the world.
Learn more
Scott Center
Chair
Chad Barrow
Vice Chair
John Petrino
Secretary/Treasurer
This award recognizes companies that excel in international trade and acknowledges the importance of trade to the Savannah region’s economy. The World Trade Center Savannah International Business of the Year 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 Savannah region.
Savannah Bee Company was founded in 2002 by Ted Dennard due to his passion for bees, beekeeping, and honey. Savannah Bee Company has led the industry in specialty honey and beeswax-based body care. They are the ideal destination for specialty honeys and naturally luxurious honeybee inspired body care. Savannah Bee Company has been mentioned in numerous publications, including Southern Living, Marie Claire, Whole Living, Virtuoso Life, and Better Homes & Gardens. They are also the 2011 winner of the prestigious Sofi Award for Outstanding Classic. The company was also featured in Google’s 2014 Annual U.S. Economic Impact Report. This was the first year a business outside of Atlanta has been selected in Georgia.
Savannah Bee Company was the ideal recipient for the World Trade Center Savannah International Business of Year Award due to their role in helping make the Savannah region an even larger participant in international commerce.
In 2016, WTCSav was tapped by one of our partners, International Dunnage, to conduct a market assessment to help inform an international growth strategy. As part of the market assessment, data was gathered on duties and free-trade programs associated with the company’s products. Multiple countries were identified and information was provided on the ease of doing business, access to international ports, as well as five and 10 year economic forecasts and operational risks for each country.
After comparing approximately 2,000 country-specific data points, the company narrowed their focus to seven target countries. With a focus on those seven countries, WTCSav completed a comprehensive document with in-depth trade and economic information. The company was able to narrow their focus even further by selecting two countries of interest.
Once a more selective approach was taken by the company, WTCSav provided access to in-country resources, including World Trade Center locations and contact information, state and federal resources and other in-country economic development agencies to assist in their decision-making process.
International Dunnage moved forward, recently purchasing a 53,000 square foot building in the Dominican Republic that is currently being renovated. They also received their free-trade permit, hired a General Manager and expect to be in production in June.