Pol k G oe s G l o b a l
On April 23, the
Lakeland Area Chamber
of Commerce and
Lakeland Linder
Regional Airport will
host the inaugural event
of the emerging Polk
International Business
and Protocol Council.
“Polk Goes Global” is
a half day symposium
designed to inform Polk
County businesses about
the value of international
trade and to give
instruction on how to
take steps to initiate
international trade.
Attendees
interested in building
export markets will
be introduced to
US Department of
Commerce, Enterprise
Florida and SBDC
representatives who can
start them on a defined
path to growth.
Attendees will also
be exposed to ideas
on how to gain access
to data on potential
international partners,
clients and suppliers.
Speakers not only
include representatives
from the commerce
sector mentioned
above, but also Polk
County Tourism and
Sports Marketing
and small businesses
in Polk County who
have successfully
“gone global” will
stimulate thinking on
how to better serve
international visitors
and customers in our
local market areas.
The symposium is
designed to impact
businesses of all sizes
throughout Polk County.
Participants will hear
the scope of current
international trade in
Florida and Polk County,
learn from agencies
and institutions that
facilitate export and
sourcing, hear from
small businesses that
have been successful
in expanding to foreign
markets, learn how to
make international
connections through
protocol capabilities
and will be given
information on how to
take first steps in trade
development.
Polk County has
a long history of
international trade.
Cattle exporting goes
back generations,
as does the export
of citrus and other
agricultural products.
International travelers
come to Central Florida
by the millions, and
are currently adding
LEGOLAND to the list of
destinations. Our area
has long been a leading
world producer and
exporter of phosphate.
With its strategic
location relative to
the Florida ports, a
free trade zone in the
middle of the Tampa/
Orlando metroplex,
and the development
of the CSX intermodal
logistics center, Polk
County is positioned
to be the keystone
for international
intermodal
distribution and light
manufacturing. In
addition, Polk County is
a desirable vacation and
retirement destination
for an increasing
number of Europeans
and Canadians.
Enterprise Florida
reported that in
2013, the State was
responsible for
exporting over $93
billion in goods and
services and for
international trade
totaling over $155
billion. Florida has the
second highest number
of exporters of any US
state, following only
California. International
trade in Florida
supports over 1 million
jobs and accounts for
nearly one-sixth of
the state’s economy.
Florida’s top ten trading
partners include Brazil,
Columbia, China, Chile
and Japan. Over 45% of
all goods produced in
Florida are exported!
Lakeland-Winter
Haven MSA experienced
over 190% export growth
from 2009-2013, the
second highest rate of
growth among state
MSA’s. In 2013, the MSA
alone was responsible
for $1.9 billion in
merchandise exports.
Polk County businesses
leaders with appropriate
knowledge can and
should be planning
to take advantage
of the international
opportunities. (www.
enterpriseflorida.com)
The Lakeland Area
Chamber of Commerce,
through its Business
Development Key
Strategic Task Force, is
working with the area
economic development
agencies, chambers, and
business organizations to
ensure that Polk County
businesses have access
to international options
– including business
and client development
services, free trade zone
related services, trade
mission opportunities,
educational, training and
protocol opportunities.
THIS EVENT
WOULD NOT
BE POSSIBLE
WITHOUT
THE SUPPORT
OF THE
FOLLOWING
SPONSORS:
EVENT SPONSOR:
SUNTRUST
BANK
CSX
SADDLE CREEK
CORPORATION
FLORIDA
IMPORT EXPORT
CORPORATION
THIRD WING
BUSINESS
STRATEGIES
ADDED BONUS
View some of the
international
Sun ‘N Fun activity
as you arrive and
leave! Register at
PolkGoesGlobal.
LakelandChamber.com
6 | FORUM FOR BUSINESS