RECENT EVENTS
June 8, 2010 Business Roundtable
Global Trade and DeKalb County: The Role of International Trade in Regional Growth and Business Development
In and around DeKalb County globalization is a relevant topic
for discussion. Locally, the area is positioned for considerable
growth in the coming decade in the arena of global trade. As Northern
Illinois becomes more deeply involved in this trend, importing
and exporting for businesses in DeKalb County will continue to
be a reality that could return untold rewards.
Dr. Bob Gleeson, of the NIU Center for Governmental
Studies, opened the Roundtable with an "Overview of Illinois
Exports." Even though Illinois is not located on a border
or coastline, it has become a node of global trade with exports
taking-off, leading to Illinois surpassing the other Midwest states
in total value of exported goods. This international trade is
not purely limited to Chicago but has spilled into smaller urban
areas around the state. Gleeson expects this type of growth to
continue.
Joanne Devick, Marketing Director for Driv-Lok,
introduced the audience to her company's global trade practices.
Driv-Lok became an exporter 'organically' as loyal customers wanted
the products internationally. Devick identified "Driv-Lok's
Four Paths to Global Trade" which included international
shipping, freight forwarding, international customers and foreign
company purchases. According to her presentation, among current
trends are the desire of foreign controlled subsidies to localize
assemblies and components in the U.S. and the return of other
companies due to the high quality found in America.
Larry Mix with the Monsanto Waterman Research
facility represented another local company with heavy involvement
in global trade. With more than 500 locations worldwide, 2009
found one third of their sales in areas outside of North America.
According to Mix, the exchange of people, ideas, goods and services
has helped Monsanto become a leader in seed, crop protection and
biotechnology.
Power Points as well as Dr. Bob Gleeson's "State of Working
Illinois" report that offer much more detail in the language
of the presenters are available in the Members Only
section of the DCEDC website.
Dave Juday introduces the speakers
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 Dave Juday, Joanne Devick, Bob Gleeson, Larry Mix, and Paul Borek
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