Working to help organizations understand the economic impact of national leadership and international policy changes, leaders of the World Trade Center Atlanta have announced that the organization will present World Trade Day 2017 on May 2, 2017. The event will include a full-day conference featuring a keynote address by Matthew T. McGuire, former United States executive director of The World Bank Group.
 
World Trade Day 2017 in Georgia will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at the Georgia International Conference Center, 2000 Convention Center Concourse, Atlanta, GA 30337. Registration is now open and tickets are available at www.WorldTradeDay.com.
 
In recognition of their leadership on the issue, Governor Nathan Deal has proclaimed the day of the conference as World Trade Day in the state of Georgia.
 
Inspired by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1935 declaration of a national observance each May of the benefits of global trade and investment, World Trade Day presented by the World Trade Center Atlanta will provide opportunities for business professionals to hear panel discussions with distinguished global executives and leaders, participate in roundtable discussions, networking and global business exchange activities.
 
Attendees will have the opportunity to enter to win business class tickets to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean, thanks to the generous support of World Trade Day sponsor Delta Air Lines, Inc.
 
“Uncertainty about international trade and investment has become the focus of conversations around the world,” said Dr. Diane Alleva Cáceres, co-chair of World Trade Day and CEO and founder of Market Access International, Inc.  “We are excited that Matthew T. McGuire will kick-off a day of real conversations about the future of global commerce. He possesses a rare combination of entrepreneurial and high-level policy experience that provides the strategic perspective companies need in order to effectively succeed in today’s business climate.”
 
“World Trade Center Atlanta is committed to building an organization whose leadership and membership are in tune with the sophisticated and changing needs of today’s global executive,” said Dr. Karen Loch, president of the World Trade Center Atlanta and professor in the Institute of International Business at the Robinson College of Business.  “We are pleased to offer the public the chance to participate in World Trade Day, one of several programs we’re planning that showcase our ongoing commitment to the success of Georgia’s international community.”
 
Panel discussions will feature representatives of the Council of Foreign Relations, Dentons, Emory University, Georgia Tech, Site Selection magazine, UPS and the U.S. Department of Commerce.
 
According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, in 2016, total trade between Georgia and the world exceeded $121.7 billion and exports exceeded $35.5 billion. The state also maintained its national rankings as the 11th-largest exporting state and seventh largest importing state.