U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke Touted Midwest-China Hub,
Contact: Nancy Schnoebelen
Vice President Marketing & Communications
314.615.7617, nschnoebelen@slcec.com
St. Louis, September 28, 2010 - A crowd of approximately 650 business and civic leaders packed the ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton last Friday to attend World Trade Center Saint Louis' (WTC) Growing Global event. United States Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke highlighted the region's accomplishments and acknowledged the strong international business practices of St. Louis companies including Boeing, Monsanto, Emerson, and Sigma-Aldrich. Locke also applauded the efforts of the Midwest-China Hub Commission, recognizing the many jobs and economic opportunities a cargo hub could bring to the region.
"Secretary Locke acknowledged the excellent assets St. Louis has to give to the world including the most advanced aerospace and defense products, science and biotechnology, clean coal technology and renewable biomass," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. "Additionally, the Midwest-China Hub will expand access to markets for American goods."
In addition, the WTC recognized U.S. Senator Kit Bond with its Global Ambassador Award in honor of more than 40 years of Bond's outstanding leadership in promoting international trade and economic development.
"We have had a long partnership promoting free, fair and open trade in order to grow businesses and jobs for Missourians" said Bond. "History has taught us that during times of economic stress and downturn we ought to expand access to markets for American goods. And that is exactly what all of you at the World Trade Center Saint Louis have been focusing on and promoting successfully."
Others honored for their impact in global trade included Innoventor, awarded the Global Growth Award, and Dennis Muilenburg, recognized with the Global Business Person Award. Muilenburg is president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
"We are honored to be recognized with this award and grateful for all the World Trade Center does to build relationships and foster growth in global trade," said Muilenburg. "That work supports the highly skilled, well-paying jobs that are the hallmark not only of Boeing in St. Louis, but also of our suppliers and our other operations across the region and the country."
About World Trade Center Saint Louis
WTC, a division of St. Louis County Economic Council, combines local experts with government resources to enhance international trade, promote local economic development and ultimately foster peace and stability through trade. It supports the St. Louis region by guiding businesses to expand into foreign markets, hosting visiting trade delegations to St. Louis and promoting the region as a place for international trade relations and economic growth.
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