Promoting trade in a global economy

The John H. Chafee Center, the only world trade center based at a university, provides a variety of opportunities for students and the community to learn.

“Expanding the World of Opportunity.”

This message, inscribed under a model of the globe, greets each person upon entering the Bryant campus. Since 1988, The John H. Chafee Center for International Business on the Bryant campus has done just that for Bryant students and members of the community.

By housing the Chafee Center, Bryant is the first private college to own a World Trade Center charter. With its connection to the World Trade Center Association, Bryant is linked with more than 500,000 affiliated companies and 300 centers in nearly 100 countries. With this support, Bryant hosts a variety of topical seminars and workshops for students and members of the community.

(L-R) Laurent Vernerey, president and CEO of APC, and Ray C. Anderson, founder and chairman of Interface Inc.

Raymond Fogarty ’79 is director of the Chafee Center, as well as the Rhode Island Export Assistance Center and the World Trade Center Rhode Island, which is also located at Bryant.

This spring, the 24th annual World Trade Day welcomed more than 400 attendees to discuss “The Power of Trade: Strategies for Growth in the Global Economy.” This signature event organized by the Chafee Center brought regional businesses to Bryant to learn more about international trade opportunities and strategies to excel.

The morning keynote speaker, Laurent Vernerey, president and CEO of APC, a Schneider Electric company, discussed the advantages of using strategic market selection to maximize growth.

More than 400 attended the 24th annual World Trade Day, which focused on “The Power of Trade: Strategies for Growth in the Global Economy.”

At the luncheon, Ray C. Anderson, founder and chairman of Interface Inc., encouraged attendees to see the ecological and business advantages of green operations by citing his expertise as an example. Fourteen years ago, after reading Paul Hawken’s The Ecology of Commerce, Anderson launched a Mission Zero® initiative at his company (a petroleum-intensive carpet manufacturer), which strives to eliminate any negative impact the business may have on the environment by the year 2020.

Breakout sessions through-out the day focused on export and supply chain management, as well as industry-specific international growth planning. The 25th Annual World Trade Day will take place on Wednesday, June 16, 2010.

This week, the Chafee Center will present the second annual Rhode Island Supply Chain Management Summit. The daylong event, which is co-sponsored by Banneker Industries, the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, the Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Services, and the University of Rhode Island, takes place on Thursday, August 27, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the George E. Bello Center for Information Technology on the Bryant campus.

Visit ricsmsummit.org to learn more.