Women in International Trade

OWIT Update - 2005 Spring Board Meeting
Rebecca Miller
Acting DC Chapter Representative to OWIT

The Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) held its Spring Board meeting in Bermuda, on April 28 and 29, 2005, to discuss the future of OWIT. Eighteen chapter representatives and officers were in attendance.

Board Meeting

The two-day OWIT Board meeting focused on OWIT's business plan and marketing and communications.

The current goal is to have the OWIT business plan in place by 2007. In the interim, input from the chapters on what is or is not working in terms of communication, OWIT identity and image, and other areas is vital to the completion of the plan.

Some of the plan's components are:

Competition and Trading Blocks - In positioning itself with the increasing number of other women's and trade organizations, OWIT needs to emphasize the value that it provides to its members, e.g., the annual conference. While maintaining its own unique identity, OWIT should take advantage of opportunities to partner with other trade or women's organizations on select issues.
Regulatory Arena - OWIT should consider what it can offer to government, i.e., position OWIT as the "expert consultant" when an opinion is needed on trade issues.
Social Responsibility - OWIT should ensure that the social dimensions of trade are addressed.

Another major component of OWIT's marketing and communication plan is the OWIT website. Work has begun to upgrade the site to make it more visually appealing and easier to navigate, as well as to update its contents. The launch date of the new website is scheduled for Fall 2006.

The Fall OWIT Conference and Board Meeting will be held November 2-5 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The topic of the conference is "Technology Facilitating International Trade". The conference will offer a wonderful opportunity to meet with business persons working in various sectors.

OWIT is always looking for its members (all WIIT members are members of OWIT) to participate in its activities. If you are interested in learning more about OWIT, opportunities to help on OWIT committees, or more about the Fall Conference, please contact Rebecca Miller at rmiller@eastwindpartners.com. Information is also available at www.owit.org.

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