Regional Businesses Confront the Global Realities of Outsourcing and Offshoring and Seek Solutions for a Competitive Edge

PHILADELPHIA, PA --Continuing its mission to provide a world-class portfolio of services that enhances international trade growth and leads the Greater Philadelphia region to economic prosperity, the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) will host its Fourth Annual Global Business Outlook Conference, "Global Realities of Outsourcing and Offshoring" in partnership with Drexel University's LeBow College of Business on February 15, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Creese Student Union Complex, Behrakis Hall, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.

The WTCGP continues to achieve its goal of offering international trade support and educational opportunities to local businesses by presenting a discussion of globalization's benefits and threats to businesses in the nation and how regional companies can respond to the challenge.

"This conference offers an overview of various aspects of globalization and aims to identify ways in which regional companies can tap the gains of this process, while remaining realistic about its potential and its risks," explains Joanna Savvides, president of WTCGP. "This conference will offer regional business leaders the most current information on this evolutionary process affecting the complicated task of expanding their businesses and assist them in creating an integrated, comprehensive and cost-saving strategy for worldwide trade."

Jill Chernekoff, CEO of Chernekoff Communications and former CNN Headline News anchor and nightly anchor of The Fox Ten O'clock News, will act as moderator. The program will begin with opening remarks on the economic implications of globalization presented by Andrew Cassel, columnist at the Philadelphia Inquirer. Speakers include representatives from industry and academia, including Rick Helfenbein, President, USA Operations, Luen Thai International Group and Lawrence Duke, instructor of marketing, Drexel University's LeBow College of Business, as well as case studies from the region's leading manufacturing and business processes sectors.

"Drexel University's LeBow College of Business is proud to partner with the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia on this important conference," said Dr. George P. Tsetsekos, dean of LeBow College of Business. "Globalization is affecting all businesses, regionally and abroad. How these organizations successfully grow their businesses will have a direct impact on our economy."

The luncheon address will be given by Dr. Victoria Marklew, vice president and senior economist for The Northern Trust Company. She will review the global economic outlook for 2007 including the fluctuation of the U.S. dollar against other world currencies.

This conference is sponsored by UPS, Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP, The Philadelphia Business Journal, U.S. Economic Development Administration and the WTCGP CEO China Operations Club.

About the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia

The mission of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia is to enhance international trade growth and lead the Greater Philadelphia region to economic prosperity. WTCGP offers a number of programs, such as one-on-one consulting by its international trade specialists, market research, customized export/import strategies, and educational opportunities through seminars, international trade missions and networking events. The WTCGP is a licensed and certified member of the World Trade Centers Association and is a Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) non-profit-corporation. For more information, please visit www.wtcphila.org.

About Drexel University's LeBow College of Business

Recognized by BusinessWeek, Entrepreneur, Financial Times, Forbes/The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report for superior programs, Drexel University's LeBow College of Business empowers, enriches and inspires future business leaders through an innovative, strategic approach to business education defined by leadership and ethics, industry perspectives and technological orientation. LeBow College has more than 3,300 students, 100 faculty and 30,000 alumni and is accredited by AACSB International-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. It offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and executive education programs and six research centers. For additional information, visit www.lebow.drexel.edu