World Trade Month is an annual event celebrated in May to promote and recognize the importance of international trade to the global economy. Over the years, the event has grown to include a range of activities and initiatives that promote international trade, support economic growth and engage governments, businesses, and organizations globally. Let’s take a look at the origins of World Trade Month and how the event engages people from all over the world!
Origins:
While the exact history of World Trade Month is uncertain, US Congress designated National Foreign Trade Week in 1927, and later expanded it to National Foreign Trade Month in 1935. It aimed to encourage foreign trade as a means of boosting the US economy during the Great Depression.
In 1970, the World Trade Club of New York established World Trade Week to recognize and celebrate the benefits of international trade. This event was originally celebrated during the third week of May and included a series of activities to promote global trade.
World Trade Month has spread globally in part due to the increasing importance of international trade in the global economy. As more and more businesses and economies have become interconnected, the need to promote and celebrate international trade has become increasingly important.
How to Celebrate:
The NDTO celebrates annually with a Global Business Connections event. This year, on May 23, we will host the Global Business Awards Luncheon, where we recognize excellence in the export community through awards and host a variety of business owners, state and local government and key stakeholders in the community. This year’s event features a keynote by Jeffery Hayzlett a global business celebrity, primetime television and podcast host, and best-selling author. More on this event can be found here.
The United States has a variety of events with trade-related topics happening throughout the states. The World Trade Month Association is a centralized resource in the US, with a collective calendar of live, online and ongoing events all with the theme of international trade. Checkout all of the events here.
Australia: The Export Council of Australia coordinates seminars, workshops, and networking opportunities to help businesses connect with potential customers and partners around the world.
Brazil: The Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency coordinates trade missions to different countries, training and educational programs for businesses, and networking opportunities for exporters.
In China World Trade Month is celebrated with the Canton Fair, which is the largest trade fair in the country. The fair attracts thousands of exhibitors from around the world and provides a platform for businesses to showcase their products and services to potential customers.
United Arab Emirates: In the UAE, the Dubai World Trade Centre, hosts a range of trade shows, conferences, and exhibitions throughout the month to promote international trade and business opportunities.
United Kingdom: The UK celebrats with events and initiatives organized by the Department for International Trade, including trade missions to different countries, training and educational programs for businesses, and networking opportunities for exporters.
Overall, World Trade Month is celebrated in different ways in different countries, but the goal is always the same: to promote international trade and help businesses to expand their reach into new markets. We hope you take some time to recognize the impact trade has on our everyday lives and take advantage of all the great events globally. And don’t forget to join us in celebrating World Trade Month at the Global Business Awards Luncheon on May 23!