The National 2009 District Export Council Conference was held at the U.S. Department of Commerce Headquarters Building in Washington, D.C., November 3 - 5. The program was hosted by the Virginia-D.C. DEC, and the Maryland-D.C. DEC. Michael Cooper, Metals Sales Manager at TMEIC GE, is the Vice Chairman for the Virginia-Washington D.C. District Export Council. TMEIC GE was one of the conference sponsors. TMEIC and TMEIC GE sent a delegation of eight, including TMEIC CEO Hideaki Gokoh, TMEIC GE CEO Dale Guidry, and TMEIC GE Executive Vice President Shigeru Taniguchi.
The theme for this year’s conference was “Global Competitiveness and the Impact on U.S. Exports.” The conference offered participants the opportunity to discuss issues with U.S. Department of Commerce Foreign Services Officers, including regional and industry experts from International Trade Administration’s (ITA) Office of Manufacturing/Services (MAS), Market Access/Compliance (MAC), and the U.S. Commercial Service (CS). Attendees also had time to meet with their Congressional members.
The DEC Conference included sessions for attendees with topics including “Closing the Trade Finance Gap”, “Green Energy and Initiatives” (discussing Green Energy Policy and Legislation), and “Western Hemisphere Trade Restrictions and Risk”, as well as Keynotes by Secretary of Commerce, Gary Locke, and the U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador, Ron Kirk. Michael Cooper moderated a session discussing State export promotion programs and how states work with District Export Councils.
Ambassadors from Panama, Columbia, and Korea were panel participants in a “Foreign Trade Agreements Dialogue” session.
Following a breakfast on Capital Hill, the TMEIC GE and TMEIC delegation made calls on Congressman Bob Goodlatte, Senator Mark Warner and Senator Jim Webb’s offices and had the opportunity to introduce the company to their staff.
Attendees from TMEIC GE/TMEIC with Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, (CA 47th District): Donn Samsa (TMEIC GE Market Development Director), Tomiharu Ishii (TMEIC Sr. Advisor and Former CEO of TMEIC GE), Michael Cooper (TMEIC GE Metals Sales Manager), Dale Guidry (TMEIC GE President and CEO), Paul Weary (TMEIC GE Metals Worldwide Marketing), Hideaki Gokoh (TMEIC President), Shigeru Taniguchi (TMEIC GE Executive Vice President), Declan Daly (TMEIC GE Metals Business Unit Leader).
About the DEC
The District Export Council works in partnership with the U.S. Commercial Service to address issues American companies face in exporting products and services to other countries.
