Posted September 2003

The World Trade Society of Chattanooga (WTSC), an IRS designated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has been valued by international business entities as a wealth of information and for fostering positive cultural and economic relationships in Chattanooga.  For Chattanooga-based businesses, the WTSC has been a “window to the world.”  Since its creation in 2003, the WTSC has coordinated with governmental agencies, businesses, and cultural/trade associations, both domestic and international, to enhance business and cultural relationships between the greater Chattanooga area and the world.

The presence of the WTSC aroused internationals’ interest in Chattanooga by taking a lead role in orchestrating international economic and cultural events in Chattanooga.  During 2004, the WTSC hosted a group of business and trade representatives from Taiwan, Japan, China, and South Korea. The WTSC also organized and conducted business discussion forums for each country. 

The WTSC also took a major role in the locating of two international businesses in Chattanooga.  A manufacturing company from Pakistan (Caslow Pvt.) created Wise Instruments, LLC in Chattanooga as its U.S. Distribution Office.  Similarly, R.S. Tool Clothing Company of Canada found the WTSC to be a perfect intermediary to assist it in successfully establishing its U.S. division, A-Style International, in Chattanooga.

Other international economic entities looking for a location in the U.S. worked with the WTSC to survey the Chattanooga area for possible locations.  For example, a Chinese warehousing company and a Turkish bakery factory company made trips to Chattanooga to consider extending their operations to the American market.

 Year 2005 also has been proven to be a tremendously productive year for the WTSC.  The WTSC assisted Kenco, a Chattanooga-based logistics company, in planning their trip to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China this May.  Furthermore, the WTSC functioned as a communication bridge between the U.S. logistics company, and the Logistics and Management Association of Taiwan.  Also, in March, the WTSC President Terrence Olsen visited Taiwan and had meetings with Ping Tung County Governor Wu and his Economic Development office to further enhance Hamilton County’s and Ping Tung County’s economic and cultural relationship.  Governor Wu is considering a possible economic trip to Chattanooga after his October 2005 re-elections, which could occur three to six months after the re-elections.  Additionally, President Olsen gave a U.S. logistics seminar to over 80 of Taiwan’s logistics and electronics companies.  President Olsen provided information of how to outsource products and services to the United States.

In July, the WTSC acted as a liaison for Taiwanese students of Tung Fang Institute and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  Twenty-three Tung Fang Institute students of Taiwan attended UTC to study English for three weeks and were engaged in cultural activities that made a positive impact for both the Taiwanese students and the Chattanooga community.  The Tung Fang Institute ESL Program is a result of two years effort on behalf of President Olsen and his wife Miao-Ju Olsen, a native of Taiwan.

The WTSC will continue to serve Chattanooga as a window of opportunities for both international and Chattanooga businesses. 
 
The current Governing Board of the WTSC is: Terrence Olsen, Chairman (Olsen Law Firm); Missy Crutchfield, President (City of Chattanooga Education, Arts & Culture); Steve Hiatt, Vice-President (Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce); and Dan Saieed, Secretary (Hamilton County Economic Development Office).

The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce is the leading business and economic development organization for the Chattanooga region. For over 100 years, the Chattanooga Chamber has provided community engagement and opportunities for businesses, large and small, including networking, business promotion, business discounts, and public policy advocacy, as well as leadership development and training opportunities.

In addition, the Chattanooga Chamber is a one-stop-shop for site selectors and business decision-makers considering investments and job creation projects in the Chattanooga region. The Chattanooga Chamber is also responsible for marketing Enterprise South Industrial Park, a top-tier industrial park that offers significant strategic business advantages. In addition, the Chattanooga Chamber administers the Chattanooga Hamilton County Business Development Center, the largest business incubator in the U.S. in terms of the number of start up companies it houses, and the Center for Entrepreneurial Growth, an innovative effort to nurture technology-based start-up companies.

As the first stop for people interested in moving to the Chattanooga, the Chattanooga Chamber provides a range of relocation information including demographics, informational videos, connections to Chattanooga Area jobs, and frequently asked questions.