Friends,

Last year, the World Trade Center Palm Beach celebrated it's first decade of service to the region. With that under our belts, we have moved on into this new decade looking to take even bolder, bigger steps toward fulfilling the goal of promoting international trade and raising the region's global profile.

A few weeks ago, we took one of those steps by aligning the WTCPB with Northwood University. This strategic partnership will allow WTCPB to expand and develop its educational mission like never before, while providing Northwood with an important international business access point for the benefit of its students. The following is the press release announcing this momentous event in WTCPB history.

West Palm Beach, Florida – January, 2010 Northwood University (NU) and the World Trade Center Palm Beach (WTCPB) recently signed a strategic partnership agreement enabling them to accomplish their shared mission and goals.

The partnership is designed to offer opportunities for Northwood University students in the form of experiential learning and internships, as well as partnerships and professional development opportunities for faculty and staff. It will serve to highlight Northwood University’s unique brand equity in the areas of international business and trade.

Dr. Rose B. Bellanca, Northwood University Florida Campus Provost stated, “Northwood University is respected world wide as a leader in preparing the future leaders of a global, free-enterprise society. Therefore, we are honored to have the opportunity to partner with the World Trade Center Palm Beach. With the goal of fostering increased trade and promoting cross-cultural awareness while providing essential Palm Beach County insight to the international community, we look forward to working together toward nourishing this objective.”

The non-profit World Trade Center Palm Beach at Northwood University will continue to work in conjunction with the New York City-based World Trade Center Association (WTCA). It was formed in 1970 and is now the largest private international trade association in the world. With more than 300 trade centers in over 90 locations worldwide and a membership base which interacts with over 750,000 companies, the WTCA brings an unparalleled network of international programs and services into one trade point.

"We've spent the past decade fulfilling our mission to educate both locally and internationally," said WTCPB President Louis Haddad. "Northwood's global outlook is perfectly aligned with that mission, and our combined proficiencies will allow us to continue to build upon it synergistically."

The WTCPB is the region’s leading entity on issues of international trade, helping to develop the local economy by promoting the growth of area businesses and industries to a level of prominence in the global marketplace. By helping local companies discover international opportunities, and by introducing international businesses to the wealth of opportunity in its region, WTC Palm Beach brings benefits to both communities and helps fulfill the WTCA vision of establishing peace and stability through international trade.

WTCPB’s core services include customized market research, trade information (strategic alliance with the U.S. Department of Commerce and Enterprise Florida), educational seminars and events, inbound and outbound trade missions, international trade fairs and exhibitions, project investment, business development, and corporate services.

50 Years of Enterprise and Ethics