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Chennault Named ‘Louisiana Airport of the Year’

Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles was honored by the Federal Aviation Administration with the “Louisiana Airport of the Year” award.

The award was presented at the 2018 FAA Southwest Regional Airport Conference in Fort Worth and accepted by Chennault representatives Randy Robb, Andrea LaFleur, Cortez Gallien, Loretta Hanks and John McMullen.

The award citation praises Chennault’s “utmost creativity” in developing a plan to create an alternate runway by widening and improving a parallel taxiway, followed by major rehabilitation of the main runway, resulting in two first-class runways. This plan avoids closure of the airport’s only runway for repairs, which would be “a catastrophic blow to the regional economy.” The new 8,000 x 150–foot alternate runway/taxiway “will allow the airport to maintain its contribution to the bustling of southwest Louisiana economy, while rehabilitating their primary runway.”

Chennault’s award citation states, “The airport’s efforts, coordination, and attention to the FAA’s standards of safety and operations, while utilizing the utmost creativity are the reasons Chennault International Airport Authority is being recognized for Airport of the Year.”

The FAA’s Airport of the Year award recognizes airports that “have created a positive safety culture, implemented sound and consistent capital planning, supported FAA initiatives and have enhanced safety at the airport.”

Chennault International Airport is an industrial airport in Lake Charles, Louisiana, operated by the Chennault International Airport Authority. The airport and its tenant companies employ more than 1,500 people, providing an annual economic impact of some $300 million. For more information, visit www.chennault.org.

Why Relationships Matter in Global Business

By Scott Ferguson

As Chief Executive Officer of an organization with a mission of growing trade, I often get asked a multitude of questions pertaining to the state of global commerce. The inquiries always revolve around the latest headline out of one country or another, or the most recent election, or just my take on the state of economic cooperation around the world.

But no matter the question my answer always stays the same: At the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) we remain focused on one thing—our network.

This may seem selfish, or like we don’t care about the news. But this is not the case. Far from it. It is because the common thread that runs through our association of 300-plus members in nearly 100 countries, is stronger and more consequential than any one lurch in the ever-changing, seesawing nature of trade policy. Because our members often play a critical role in the local, regional and national economies where they are based, the WTCA and its membership roster are frequently in a position to bridge the divides that form from one administration to the next. Our relationships with one another are the bedrock of our organization. This network empowers each of us to continue to enrich our local communities, regardless of the coming or receding political storms.

Being a global organization made up of businesses as diverse as our members comes with challenges, for certain. But being able to call on fellow World Trade Centers from Bogota to Belfast, and Boston to Beijing, in a climate that often feels unstable, is the true value of WTCA Membership. And it is why now, more than ever, relationships matter.

Scott Ferguson is Chief Executive Officer of the World Trade Centers Association.

This article was originally published in the USA Trade Guide.

Louisiana Trade Guide Focuses on Export Promotion and Foreign Direct Investment

Online Edition Available at Louisiana.Think.Global

A free resource for Louisiana companies involved in international trade is now available online and in print from the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC). The fourth edition of the Louisiana Trade Guide, published in partnership between the LSBDC and ThinkGlobal Inc., features statewide information and resources to help both exporters and foreign direct investors.

The colorful, magazine-style guide includes an international trade resources section that makes it easy to find resources and services providers throughout the state. The guide also features a welcome letter from Gov. John Bel Edwards, as well as an overview of international trade-related programs and services offered by Louisiana Economic Development.

“The Louisiana Small Business Development Center spearheaded the development of the new edition of the Louisiana Trade Guide,” says Rande Kessler, state director of LSBDC. “Having a single point of reference in print and online guide is a valuable tool for Louisiana exporters, foreign investors, and service providers. The guide is a must-have resource for both new exporters and for companies looking to expand into new markets.”

The new edition of the guide includes 10,000 print copies that are being distributed throughout Louisiana. The guide will be distributed to exporters throughout the state by the SBDC network, other state and local economic development agencies, and private sector service providers. Links to the digital edition also will be sent to U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide.

“The 2018 Louisiana Trade Guide includes an updated resource section, with comprehensive data about Louisiana service providers and trade-related resources,” says Greg Sandler, publisher at ThinkGlobal. “The guide also features expert advice and answers to frequently asked questions, along with information about key resources, such as economic development organizations, ports, and other service providers throughout the state.”

To read the Louisiana Trade Guide online, visit: http://Louisiana.Think.Global

Contacts For More Information

DeRon Talley, LSBDC

318-340-9353

dtalley@lsbdc.org

Greg Sandler, ThinkGlobal

800-581-8533, ext. 808

greg@thinkglobal.net

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Best Practices For Choosing A Supply Chain Management Solution

Read ThinkGlobal President Greg Sandler’s story about how choosing the right supply chain management software can help keep your supply chain running smoothly.

Sandler talked to chain expert Daniel Stanton, author of Supply Chain Management for Dummies, who says that in order to manage your international supply chain you need a system that can handle planning, sourcing, production, delivery, returns and fulfillment.

Read the full story on the American Express Open Forum website.

The World of Concrete: Solid to the Core

Attend the 2018 Conference: January 23-26 in Las Vegas

The most important annual international event of the year for concrete and masonry professionals, WOC 2018 expects to attract 60,000 professional registrants and 1,500 leading suppliers from around the world.

This world-renowned industry event will continue to bring international buyers together with U.S. exhibitors to expand business domestically and overseas. For the 13th consecutive year, the U.S. Department of Commerce has selected the World of Concrete as a participant in the International Buyer Program (IBP). WOC draws significant attendance at each event, working with U.S. Commercial Services posts from around the world.

World of Concrete welcomes international exhibitors to sell their concrete- and masonry-related products and services, as well as international attendee delegations from across the globe to network, test drive equipment and discover new products and services and benefit from a world-class education program.

The 2018 World of Concrete Education Program will include everything from interactive workshops and specialized seminars to hands-on, skill-building sessions. World of Concrete’s world-class education program equips field personnel, project leaders, supervisors and owners with the latest knowledge in every facet of concrete and masonry.

New for 2018: World of Concrete competitions and exhibits will be located in the Bronze Lot, next to South Hall. In addition to the exhibitors in this new area, returning WOC Event favorites include the John Deere Operator Challenge, the Western Star Trucks Get Tough Challenge, and the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® World Championship and much more.

Visit the WOC website for more details about the World of Concrete 2018: January 23-26; Seminars 22-26 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, USA.

Garrett Metal Detectors Discovers Success in Markets Worldwide

Garrett Metal Detectors

Charles and Eleanor Garrett began selling and marketing their company’s first line of metal detectors in 1964. Today, Garrett Metal Detectors remains a world leader in metal detection technology, with exports accounting for more than half of its sales.

Now, after the passing of her husband in 2015, Eleanor is keeping the Garland, Texas-based company focused on quality and service. “The Garrett name has come to stand for more than metal detection; it is a philosophy for unparalleled customer satisfaction,” she says. “We learned over the years that there is no price advantage program, special product feature or other promotional advantage that can replace a satisfied customer.”

Those satisfied customers include companies in the security, military, and sports/hobby sectors. In fact, Garrett Metal Detectors is a leading supplier of walk-through, hand-held and ground search metal detection products, and training for security and law enforcement worldwide. From the Olympic Games to international airports, Garrett’s commercial products are available in more than 120 countries.

Garrett’s Recon Pro countermine detectors are also used worldwide to help countries with the removal of landmines and other unexploded ordinance that pose a danger to civilians and the environment.

In the sports/hobby market, Garrett’s all-terrain metal detectors are popular with treasure hunters worldwide. The company’s proprietary technology works for hunting coins, relics, caches, jewelry, and even gold nuggets.

“As Garrett moves forward in the 21st century,” says Eleanor Garrett, “our mission is to continue the tradition of building and exporting great sport and security detectors for many generations to come.”