Louisville World Trade Center

The Kentucky World Trade Center's 16th annual World Trade Day was "a great success," according to organizers. The event, which celebrated the KWTC's twentieth anniversary, featured an afternoon program, a trade fair, and a gala dinner. Overall the affair attracted over 300 attendees, including 26 dignitaries from 14 countries.

The afternoon program included two panel discussions, one entitled "Streamlining International Operations and Supply Chains," and the other "Challenges and Opportunities in Today's Global Trade Environment." Presenters discussed ways in which these topics affect their companies. KWTC's Ying Juan Rogers moderated.

The gala dinner's keynote address, A Case for Deeper U.S.-India Ties: Challenges and Opportunities, was presented by Ron Somers, president of the U.S.-India Business Council, which works to strengthen commercial ties and expand two-way trade between the nations. This cause was prevalent in Somers' address, which covered various opportunities available to U.S. companies wishing to take advantage of the immense economic growth in India.

Other dinner speakers included Mayor Jim Newberry of Lexington and Former Governor Martha Layne Collins, KWTC Chair. Emcee for the evening was Bill Goodman, host of Kentucky Tonight on KET.

World Trade Day 2009 will be held in Louisville, KY.