SC World Trade Center selects Charleston Area Convention Center for proposed office complex

N. Charleston, SC – The South Carolina World Trade Center announced today that it has selected the Charleston Area Convention Center on International Boulevard, North Charleston, SC as the location for the proposed South Carolina World Trade Center office complex. The SC World Trade Center complex is designed to concentrate international trade services in order to create international trade opportunities for South Carolina.

The South Carolina World Trade Center (SCWTC) www.scwtc.org is part of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) www.wtca.org, made up of 297 World Trade Centers in 95 countries and having access to 750,000 companies. The SCWTC is a non-profit non-governmental membership organization focused on developing South Carolina’s trading community since 1988.

North Charleston Mayor, Keith Summey, noted “The intent of the SC World Trade Center to build its new headquarters with strong amenities to attract international businesses here is very exciting. We will work with the Board to achieve their goal in providing a first class facility in all aspects. The location is perfect. It is a hub that offers the conveniences of our airport, quality hotels, activating and using our Foreign Trade Zone status, and a central point to visit our market areas of tourism. In the near future, our new Intermodal Transportation Center will add to the attractiveness of the SCWTC.

Mayor Summey continued, “All of the greater Charleston area and all of South Carolina will benefit from this strong economic engine. North Charleston and the SCWTC anticipated partnership will open new opportunities for international firms to evaluate the strength of the American market for new and/or relocating business endeavors. ”

“The South Carolina World Trade Center continues to be an active partner of our fine international trade team at Commerce, and we plan on maintaining this close relationship in order to create additional international sales opportunities for South Carolina companies”, said Bob Faith, South Carolina Secretary of Commerce; “Their new facility further strengthens South Carolina’s global image as a great place to do business and I congratulate them on reaching this milestone.”

“More than a building or an organization, a World Trade Center (WTC) is a business shopping center serving private businesses while complementing and supporting the existing services of government agencies,” explains Guy Tozzoli, World Trade Centers Association President.

“The South Carolina World Trade Center building is one of the greatest opportunities for our region and state,” said Harris Myers, Chairman of the South Carolina World Trade Center.

“World Trade Centers around the world have proven to help companies of all sizes find new markets and increase incomes,” said Gene Blanton, SCWTC Building Committee Chairman.

“The bulk of the space will be marketed to importers, exporters, shipping lines, maritime attorneys, global technology firms and other businesses engaged in world trade, said Mark Condon, SCWTC Executive Director. Condon explains, “the center’s goal is to create an ‘international address’ that would attract a concentration of tenants with similar interests…the complex hopes to attract other organizations focused on economic development in order to create a new synergy between those groups.” Condon goes on to say, “Another major goal is to persuade more international businesses to open sales offices in South Carolina which will lead to future investments in South Carolina – sales and marketing offices are great launching pads. In addition, the complex would provide incubator space where small foreign businesses can test the U.S. market without making a major financial commitment. Our ultimate goal is to raise incomes for South Carolinians by helping to make South Carolina a haven for entrepreneurs.”

A press conference will be held Wednesday June 25th at 10:30 a.m. Charleston Area Convention Center. www.charlestonconvention.com

Contact: Mark Condon
843 577 4080
[email protected]