Learning from the Great Depression

Here is a sampler of Companies that shunned debt, diversified and innovated during hard times and are still here today.

(S. Perman, BusinessWeek, October 17, 2008)

At 179 years old, Yuengling remains the country’s oldest beer maker. Dick Yuengling, the fifth-generation CEO, says the family kept the business afloat by diversifying into dairy farming, Broadway shows, and dance halls during the Great Depression instead of shutting down or selling out.

Founded in 1833, Martin Guitars is the oldest surviving guitar maker in the world. Sixth-generation CEO Chris Martin credits his company’s resiliency during the 1930s to its pricing and founding principle of remaining fair and equitable while maintaining its strong relationships with dealers—some of which stretch back generations. “Our billing has always been routine,” he says. “No shenanigans. We don’t offer discounts to high-volume retailers.”

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“Welcome to Greater Cincinnati” – Event Rescheduled

NKITA’s Welcome to Greater Cincinnati event scheduled for tomorrow at SWECO has been re-scheduled for December.

Details shall follow.

EU Launches 1 Billion Euro Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Project

The European Commission today announced that it will team up with European industry and researchers to invest nearly 1 billion euros over six years in fuel cells and hydrogen research. The goal is to achieve mass-market rollout of these promising technologies before 2020.

“By investing in such a results-oriented scientific project, we are putting our money where our mouth is,” said EU Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potocnik. “The development of new technologies is crucial if we are to meet EU objectives to address climate change and energy challenges. This requires the commitment of all actors. Gathering more than 60 private companies, from multinationals to SMEs [Small & Medium-sized Enterprises], together with the Commission, an equal number of universities and research institutes is therefore a great success. This Joint Technology Initiative brings together the most significant players to put Europe ahead of the game in new energy technologies. I hope we will see a snowball effect in other strategic research areas.” (European Union, Delegation of the European Commission to the United States, )ctober 14, 2008).

For more information, please click on the following link

British Banks Line Up for Bailouts

To calm the financial panic, the British government has stepped in to save three major banks. So far the markets like the news

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Finance Minister Alistair Darling address a press conference at 10 Downing Street in London, on Oct. 13, 2008. By Stanley Reed, BusinessWeek, October 13, 2008

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3rd Annual SODEC/XAVIER International Trade Conference

SELLING TO CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Cintas Center, Cincinnati, OH
7:30am-5:00pm
$75/ $50 (for each additional company representative)

For registration & more information: http://www.buyusa.gov/greatlakes/conference.html

Topics Include: South America Challenges & Opportunities; Central America Challenges & Opportunities; Central & South America FTAs; P&G Corporate Perspective; Logistical Considerations; Legal Considerations; Customer Financing; Using Ex-Im Bank & Inter-American Development Bank in Central & South America

Presenters Include: U.S. Department of Commerce; USTR; Procter & Gamble; Ex-Im Bank; Liaison to Inter-American Development Bank; FedEx; Fifth Third Bank; Xavier University; Frost Brown Todd LLP & Costa Rica Partner, Andre Tinoco Abodgados.

Welcome to Greater Cincinnati!

New to town? Looking for opportunities to expand your network?

The Northern Kentucky International Trade
Association (NKITA), a program of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, welcomes you and your family to the region.

Come, network with other international Chamber members and visit one of our global companies.

Location: SWECO

Time: 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. (Registration at 3:00 p.m.)
Cost: $15 Chamber members; $30 Future
Members

Registration link

Swiss Minister to address Importance of Educating Internationally Competitive Workforce

Minister Martin von Walterskirchen, Regional Director Americas Switzerland Trade and Investment Promotion will address the participants to the 19th Kentucky International Trade and Investment Conference. In his speech, Minister Walterskirchen will talk about the importance of educating
an Internationally Competitive Workforce bringing as example the Swiss model.

The 19th Kentucky International Trade and Investment Conference, chaired by Mr. Robert G. Lees, Director, Global Sources Ltd., Hong Kong, will be held at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center on Tuesday, October 7, 2008, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Registration at 8:00 a.m.).

About Minister von Walterskirchen
Martin von Walterskirchen, a Swiss Diplomat, was born in Budapest, Hungary and came as refuge to Bern, Switzerland where he grew up. He graduated with honors from the St. Gall Graduate School for Business, Economics, and Public Administration (HSG) in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Before entering the Public Service of the Swiss Confederation von Walterskirchen gained experience in working at different companies including Philipps AG. He held various positions in the service of the Swiss Confederation including Swiss delegate to the Committee of Senior officials for European Cooperation in Science and Research (COST), and Counselor of the Swiss Embassy in Moscow (USSR). During the Uruguay round of the GATT he led the Swiss delegation that negotiated the General Agreement for Trade in Services (GATS). Subsequent positions included chief of staff of the Swiss Federal Office for Foreign Economic Affairs (BAWI), Personal Advisor to the Head of the Swiss Department of Justice and Police and to the Swiss President.

The Swiss Federal Council conferred him on September 21, 2001 the diplomatic rank of Minister. In October 2001 von Walterskirchen became Director of the Swiss Business Hub USA, the Trade promotion arm of the Swiss diplomatic service and on January 1, 2008 Regional Director Americas for Swiss Trade and Investment Promotion.

Mr. Dennis C. Cuneo to address the Luncheon of the 19th Kentucky International Trade and Investment Conference

October 7, 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m., Northern kentucky Convention Center

 

Mr. Dennis C. Cuneo, counsel with the Washington DC law firm of Arent Fox, and formerly Senior Vice President of Toyota Motor North America will address the guest attending the 19th Kentucky International Trade and Investment Conference.

In his speech Mr. Cuneo will highlight the importance of foreign investments for the economic growth of the region.

For more information about the 19th Kentucky International Trade and Investment Conference, please visit our NKITA Blog