November 14th BNMA Joint meeting with World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara
On November 14th, World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara (WTCBN) held their Annual Meeting and Reception in conjunction with the BNMA. The event included WTCBN Annual Report and was keynoted by Keith Smith, senior vice president of public affairs and mobilizaiton at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the largest manufactucturing association in the United States. The BNMA is a member of the NAM which represents small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector in every congressional district in the country.
Keith Smith's presentation focused on the importance of international trade for manufacturers and why manufacturers should reach out to Congress to pass important trade policy priorities such as the USMCA trade agreement with Canada and Mexico. He also touched on the national shortage of skilled workers, the trade war with China and efforts through the NAM to get students to focus on STEM fields.
The BNMA and WTCBN have been reciprocal members since 2015. WTCBN, a member of the World Trade Centers Association which includes more than 300 World Trade Centers in 90 countries, assists area companies in WNY and Southern Ontario with trade education, events, and customized trade consulting.