Philadelphia’s status as an international city on the move was completely in evidence at the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce Summer Reception at the Hyatt Bellevue in downtown Philadelphia. For the fourth consecutive year, the Chamber’s sold-out mid-summer event brought together the region’s bi-lateral chambers of commerce and consular corps to discuss the area’s economic growth and plans for continued progress.
Click here to see the photos from the reception
The masters of ceremonies were Larry Antonucci, president of J & K Fresh East [a division of 721 Logistics] and Ship Philly First and James Wujcik, vice president of business banking for Santander Bank. Antonucci announced details of Ship Philly’s recent trip to Vera Cruz, Mexico, spearheading direct ocean service from Vera Cruz to the Port of Philadelphia. “We are enhancing that great economic engine – the Port of Philadelphia. With direct ocean service, we override the need for trucks and air travel costs, reducing the carbon foot print while creating more jobs in Philadelphia.” The successful delegation included Mexican Consul of Philadelphia, Carlos Giralt and the Chamber’s Miriam Borja-Fisher of Western Industries. Their extremely warm reception gave the group great hope that the current $10 billion in bilateral trade between Mexico and Pennsylvania will be going up in the very near future. Jim Wujcik of Santander Bank said, “With fifteen thousand branches around the world including here in the Delaware Valley, we know the realities and benefits of global mobility.” Wujcik then introduced the evening’s featured speaker, Alan Greenberger, Philadelphia’s dynamic Deputy Mayor for Economic Development.
Greenberger regaled the crowd with his amiable and gently authoritative detailing of all the many ways Philadelphia has become a top U.S. destination for foreign direct investment and commercial trade. He noted the Chilean Chamber attracted a wide range of supporting sponsors and attendees from the banking, maritime, business, legal, diplomatic, education and government sectors.
Greenberger said the communities attending the event are on the cutting edge of Philadelphia’s auspicious, multi-national initiatives. “If you want to be economically healthy in the 21st century – you have to be an international city and we have so many selling points here,” he said. “The Port of Philadelphia is on course for the fifth consecutive year of double digit cargo growth, world class research and educational institutions, the number of jobs in the city is the highest it’s been in eleven years and there is a flood of start-up businesses now operating here.” Greenberger has logged about 50, 000 miles of travel selling Philadelphia to the world. “We are so well received everywhere we go. This is why you go. You can’t sit at home and wait. You have to look people in the eye and say this is our story and here’s what we can do together.”
Also in attendance was the man responsible for expanding Philly’s powerhouse multi-national Aramark’s global frontiers. Martin Welch is Aramark’s chief operating officer for emerging markets.
Mr. Welch: does Philadelphia’s commercial future and strength rest in its international footprint? “Business today is global – all great cities must be able to attract global companies and talent,” said Welch. “Having an International footprint not only creates employment opportunities for citizens, it provides a diverse and vibrant commercial environment that spurs innovation and creativity that fuels further economic and commercial development.”
There was such a wide array of the Tri-State area’s business constellation at the Bellevue, what does this say about Philadelphia, Aramark and the Chilean Chamber? “The diverse and active participation and cooperation of multiple chambers uniquely positions the city and region to be an aggressive advocate supporting the development of business,” Welch said. “This collaborative approach creates an exciting dynamic that is very powerful in attracting business and jobs. The Chilean Chamber has done an outstanding job in bringing together likeminded partners to support the development of international business in the city. Aramark is in the customer service and people business globally where ever people learn, work, play and recover. Our more than 270,000 employees deliver experiences that enrich and nourish the lives of millions of people through our offerings in food, facilities and uniform services in 22 countries around the world every day. The team at Aramark recognizes the critical role that an international portfolio provides to the overall success of the company and the importance of delivering excellence to markets outside the U.S.”
These great conversations fueled an evening of vital business information and new perspectives, made possible by the long reach and expanding influence of the Chilean & American Chamber and its business partners.