Deputy Secretary's Speech

Deputy Secretary David A. Sampson
Arkansas World Trade Center
Rogers, Arkansas

It’s a pleasure to be here in Rogers today where this impressive new facility will be a wonderful addition to the already dynamic economic environment here in Northwest Arkansas.

World Trade Centers and DOC: Great Partners
World Trade Centers are great partners of the Department of Commerce because we have complimentary missions.

Our mission at the Department of Commerce is to foster, promote and develop the commerce of the United States. Like you, we are dedicated to providing information, analysis and assistance to businesses to promote trade and US commercial interests. We often work with World Trade Centers to achieve that goal.

Our Commercial Service officers work with thousands of businesses to enhance American competitiveness around the world. They are located in 80 countries and at more than 100 U.S. Export Assistance Centers in cities and regions throughout the U.S., including here in Arkansas.

Their involvement here has been led by Dennis Millard, Ray Riggs and Mary Hayward. I understand that they have worked closely with your staff and leadership to help plan and support the World Trade Center’s strategy and activities. They represent our continuing commitment to your success. We are proud of their work, and I’d like to take a moment to recognize them.

Many others here have served in various capacities to promote some of the other initiatives of the Department, including Dan (Hendrix) who served on the Arkansas District Export Council. So I thank all of you for your assistance and expertise in furthering our progress.

International Arkansas
Given the increasingly global nature of the business community in Northwest Arkansas, and your great leadership, I have no doubt our partnership will continue to grow with the establishment of the World Trade Center.

Here in Northwest Arkansas there are more than 1,500 suppliers to leading companies headquartered in the region including Tysons and Wal-Mart, with many of them located in this billion-dollar development at Pinnacle Hills.

The presence of the Ambassadors from many of our Central American trading partners today is a testament to the importance of this region and of this event. With the contribution of the academic community, government support, a strong commitment from the corporate community and international collaboration, the Arkansas World Trade Center is set up for success.

The addition of the World Trade Center here in Roger will assist in further integrating this area into the global economy. The spirit of American competitiveness, innovation and entrepreneurship is alive and well in Arkansas, and this Center stands as an example of that spirit and a promise of great things for the future of this region. Thank you very much for having me here today, and congratulations on your membership in the World Trade Centers Association.