PMI Hosts CEO Forum To Explore
the Impact of China On World Trade
For Immediate Release
September 30, 2004
Contact: Barbara C. Higgens, Executive Director (847) 884-9764
Forty senior level executives attended the PMI CEO Forum on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 following the PMI fall meeting held just prior, September 19-22. With a focus on the challenges and opportunities presented by the emergence of China as a trading partner, the forum agenda included six speakers each representing a slightly different angle on the issue. The forum was offered at no charge to PMI member company CEOs as a benefit of PMI membership. Non-members paid a registration fee.
Hosting the event was Jim Westdorp, PMI president and Kohler Company’s president of Global Faucets. He introduced Michael Colopy of International Commerce Consultants, Inc. who in his presentation "China: Friend or Foe?" detailed China’s history and the impact this has had on Chinese philosophies and business practices today. Time ran short for the many questions from the audience, spurred by this fascinating topic and approach to understanding this important culture.
Kathryn Kobe of Economic Consulting Services was up next to present the results of study entitled "America’s Future: The Case for a Strong Manufacturing Base" on the importance of U.S. manufacturing. During the lunch break, James Guidi of Translatus, Inc. discussed the challenges of communicating in a global economy and the pitfalls of some translation efforts. Both speakers offered practical, useable information for audience members to take away with them.
Immediately following lunch, John Brandt of the Manufacturing Performance Institute, shared his findings from his study on Chinese manufacturers.
PMI HOSTS CEO FORUM
ADD ONE
The information was well-received by the CEOs who eagerly participated in a lively question and answer session following the presentation.
Dave Huether of the National Association of Manufacturers, filling in for the ailing Pat Mears presented "U.S. Manufacturing and China Challenges and Opportunities." Once again, out came the pencils as attendees took notes on the important information being presented. Closing the session was Deputy Assistant Secretary Joseph Bogosian of the U.S. Department of Commerce who outlined the President’s manufacturing initiative and fielded questions.
Responses from satisfaction surveys sent to attendees indicate that the forum met expectations and there is interest in future sessions of this kind. Stay tuned for details!
PMI will hold its 2005 Spring Meeting April 10-13 at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa in Savannah, Georgia. Plans are underway to hold PMI’s 2005 Fall Meeting October 16-18 at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C.
The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute is the voluntary, not-for-profit national trade association of manufacturers of plumbing products serving as the Voice of the Plumbing Industry. Member companies of PMI produce a substantial quantity of the nation’s plumbing products. For more information on PMI or its semi-annual meetings, contact the Institute at 1340 Remington Road, Suite A, Schaumburg, Ill., 60173; or via phone (847) 884-9PMI (9764), facsimile (847) 884-9775.