International Trade Symposium at World Ag Expo 2011

Tulare, CA – The Center for International Trade Development, State Center Community College District hosted its annual International Trade Symposium on February 8, 2011 at the World Ag Expo. This year’s theme was “preparing for the future in a global marketplace”. Seminars included current trade topics such as Global Food Safety and Quality, International Supply Chains, Grow Local, Sell Global from successful Farmers, and Cuba "A New Beginning", and Trade Barriers & Free Trade Agreements. Speakers who presented this year included, Dr. Scott Hood – General Mills, Dr. Barry Eisenberg – United Fresh Produce Association, Scott Horsfall – Leafy Green Marketing Agreement, Mark Benjamin – Kenkko Commodities, Don Barton – Gold River Orchards, Loren Booth – Booth Ranches, C. Parr Rosson – Texas A&M, and Richard G. Chriss, Chief Agricultural Counsel, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Much of the success of this year’s Symposium is attributed to the cutting edge topics and dynamic speakers. The CITD had a captivated audience of over 300 attendees representing farmers, students, consumers, trade professionals and ag industry leaders. One thing we can take away from this event is that food and agricultural exports are important to the Valley’s economic sustainability, and the Center for International Trade Development will continue to address California’s international trade needs through training, trade missions, market research and technical assistance.

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