This year's theme is "Growing exports in uncertain times."
World Trade Month was first celebrated as World Trade Week in 1927 by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. According to the chamber, "This occurred during a time of isolationism and under the conditions prevailing during the heyday of the restrictive Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act."
In 1935, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt made World Trade Week a national observance. Since that time, World Trade Week has been celebrated during the entire month of May by a number of federal agencies, state trade offices, area chambers of commerce, World Trade Centers, trade associations and other public and private organizations. These events celebrate the importance of international trade to the U.S. economy and teach people how to begin and grow their exports.
Prior to last year, most World Trade Month events were held in person providing not only an opportunity to learn more about international trade but also a chance to network and talk with peers. The global pandemic has required these events to move online for a second year, but there have been some definite advantages to virtual events.
This year the World Trade Month events calendar includes more than 80 webinars scheduled in May. Since all are online, you have an opportunity to attend multiple events regardless of where you live. From Maine to California, Minnesota to Texas, organizations located across the United States are sponsoring classes and celebrations. Best of all, a majority of events are free!
While you're at the World Trade Month website, make sure to sign up for the email newsletter to be notified when new events are added. Plus, we'll publish an interesting fact about world trade each day in May!
This year's free online webinars include:
Click the links above or visit the World Trade Month website for all the details about these and all the other World Trade Month events.
If your organization is sponsoring an import-export event in May 2021, you can add it to the events calendar by completing the registration form on the World Trade Month Association website. All submissions are subject to review and approval by the association. There is no charge for the listing.
While the past year-and-a-half represents some of the most unusual and challenging times for world trade, it does not diminish the importance of international trade to workers, small business owners, large corporations, our country and the global economy. As we rebound from this crisis, it's important that we position ourselves and our companies to succeed. The World Trade Month events can help us do that.