World Trade Center Alaska: helping Alaska companies expand globally.

• Author: Barbour, Tracy
• Position: Associations

World Trade Center Alaska (WTCAK) focuses on helping Alaskans successfully compete for trade and investment in the global marketplace. The nonprofit organization represents a valuable resource for Alaska companies wanting to do business internationally, according to Executive Director Greg Wolf.

WTCAK provides everything from one-on-one counseling and market research to valuable access to facilities and support in more than 300 cities around the world. It strives to give Alaska companies the information, tools and introduction to conduct business internationally. WTCAK is all about showing Alaska companies they can be local and global. "You can be an Alaska company and do business all over the world," Wolf says.

Founded in 1987, WTCAK has approximately 100 members. Companies make up the majority of the membership, with individuals comprising the rest. WTCAK's members fall into three distinct categories. The largest group is companies already doing international business and interested in entering a new market. These businesses are often seeking insight into different distribution channels.

The second-biggest segment is companies doing business in Alaska and/or the Lower 48 and are looking to find opportunities overseas. The third and smallest category represents service providers, such as banks and freight forwarders, who are seeking to do businesses overseas.

While WTCAK is pleased to assist all of its members, perhaps the most rewarding group to work, Wolf says, are those who are exploring international opportunities for the first time. "It's a whole new game for them," he says. "They don't have any experience doing this yet."

HELPING COMPANIES EXPAND THEIR BORDERS

WTCAK uses a variety of methods to assist Alaska businesses with their efforts to do international business. Trade missions are a prime example. Wolf says it's essential for companies to get first-hand, ground-level knowledge when exploring opportunities overseas. Being able to meet with potential international customers face-to-face can be more advantageous than talking with people over the phone or conducting research over the Internet.

"It gives you a better understanding to travel to that market and see what's going on the ground," Wolf said. "Seeing is believing. You really need to get on the ground in China yourself."

That's exactly what WTCAK's is helping its members do. The organization has taken two trade missions to China. Mission participants have been able to learn...