CITP in the News!

Thomas McKaig, CITP launches the second edition of his widely-acclaimed textbook, Global Business Today

Thomas McKaig, Certified International Trade Professional (CITP), professor, author, business adviser, and international keynote speaker, is pleased to announce the launch of the second edition of his widely acclaimed textbook, Global Business Today.

Global Business Today (McGraw-Hill Ryerson) provides instructors with the comprehensive coverage, accessible presentation of theory, and focus on managerial implications they expect from the Hill text, with Canadian content that reflects a Canadian perspective on international business and helps students relate core concepts to their own experience. A superior technology support package supports teaching and student success. This is a core textbook in many international trade courses at both the university and college levels, as well as in Executive MBA programmes.

Mr. McKaig is Adjunct Professor in the Department of Marketing and Consumer Studies at the University of Guelph, and has been recognized as Special Graduate Faculty by the University's Board of Graduate Studies. He is Principal in Thomas McKaig International Inc., a highly successful international development firm offering advisory services in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. He has also been the Executive in Residence at the University of Tennessee for the past few years.His early career included working in institutional equity sales at Midland (Doherty) Walwyn in London, Zurich, and Milan, where he developed a new Italian equities market for a leading Canadian bank. Following that, he carried out an international tenure as Sales Manager with the Royal Canadian Mint's Gold Maple Leaf Coin Department, and was the sole adviser working on the worldwide marketing strategy for the United States Gold Eagle coin, minted by the US Treasury Department's Bureau of the US Mint in Washington, DC.

Recently, Thomas delivered a series of successful international trade seminars and workshops in Uruguay with the Cámara Nacional de Comercio y Servicios del Uruguay, the Canadian Embassy in Montevideo, and the Universidad Católica del Uruguay.

Congratulations Thomas!

What is the value of FITT membership?

Membership organizations, like FITT, bring together leading experts and an interested and involved community to set standards and invigorate progress industry-wide. In the field of International Trade, the value of FITT membership is two fold, offering benefits both to the community and our individual members.

For you…

• Publications, resources and support abound for FITT members, including The Members’ Forum; Partner communications (such as I.E. Today Headlines and EDC’s eNews.); event material and presentations; Goingglobal.com; as well as on-going access to current trade statistics and other data.
• Certify and enhance your skills with continuous professional development opportunities, the CITP designation, and knowledge sharing at our Annual Conference and Regional Events.
• Take advantage of discounts developed just for you such as the FITT Ambassadors Program, discounts on eConcordia courses, and reduced rates at many FITT and FITT-partner events!
• Connect with your peers through the Online FITT Membership Directory, Discussion Forum, social media outlets, and via the CITP Speakers Bureau!

For the Community…

• Your membership contributions allow FITT to offer our programs and services to all individuals and businesses involved in international trade. These initiatives include:
• The identification of knowledge and competency gaps that are most relevant to the success of businesses;
• The development of international trade-specific curriculum, standards, and certification; and
• The promotion of industries that are still expanding into the field of international trade.

FITT’s members are leaders in the International Trade community. Their commitment to personal and professional growth is shaping the future of International Trade on a global scale.

To all of our members, Corporate, Certified, General and Student, thank-you for your continued support and participation in these important efforts.

For more information on our community or on becoming a FITT member, please visit our website.

Feeling Lost?

FITT’s CITP designation is a great road-mark for any Professional interested or working in International Trade. If navigating the various requirements of the CITP seems daunting, don’t fret, FITT is here to help!

There are several ways to obtain your CITP, including the Educational, Professional, Executive, and SME Acceleration paths. Not sure which route to take? Our Membership Team can help you find the path that best suits your needs and experience. It’s as easy as that!

You can also visit our website for a map to the FITT educational partner nearest you.

Whether you are just starting out or are seasoned in the ways of the road, the CITP is within your reach—an essential compass for your professional journey.

FITT Discussion Forums – An Explosion of Knowledge!

Whether you are a member of FITT or not, the online Discussion Forum is an open arena for dialogue, questions, and debate on anything and everything that interests our community!

Over the past few weeks we have been seeing an increase in the traffic on the Forum and we would like to encourage everyone to take part! This forum is for YOU!

For students, the forum offers an excellent platform to ask questions, get to now other International Trade Professionals, and engage in some thought-provoking and educational discussion.

For our more established community members, the Forum is a great place to shine. We recognize the invaluable expertise that exists within our community and want to encourage participation and collaboration between members at all levels. And hey, we could all use some advice now and again!

Visit the Discussion Forum and contribute today!

You can also subscribe to the Forum’s RSS feed to be alerted every time there is activity!
And, for the tech savvy, visit Google to download an RSS reader for your cell phone, to stay in-the-know no matter where your business may take you.

More than One Way to Strut Your Stuff!

In 2008, FITT reached new heights with over 330 CITP Designations earned by International Trade Practitioners, to-date!

But, there is more than one way for our community leaders to strut their stuff! FITT Certificates and Diplomas are also noteworthy indicators of expertise in the field of International Trade.

The more than 3100 individuals who hold a FITT Certificate of International Trade have proven their dedication to the industry by completing at least 4 of the intensive FITTskills courses. These thorough and practical courses require students to develop and apply a solid comprehension of real-world issues and challenges.

The FITT Diploma of International Trade is awarded to individuals who have completed all 8 of the FITTskills courses. The 1700 students and professionals who have achieved this mark of excellence have demonstrated a level of dedication, to personal and professional development, that is an important factor in the rising standards and overall advancement of the industry. Furthermore, they are within short reach of their CITP designation!

To learn more about how Certificate and Diploma holders can achieve the CITP designation, please visit our website.

Or, for more information on any of the FITTskills courses, please visit the links below.

• Global Business Environment
• International Marketing
• International Trade Finance
• Global Supply Chain Management
• International Market Entry Strategies
• International Trade Research
• Legal Aspects of International Trade
• International Trade Management

Congratulations to all community members who achieved any of our notable benchmarks in 2008!

Where in the world?

Did you know that FITT has more than 65 educational partners across the globe?

And, with our online delivery partner, eConcordia, you can enroll and participate in FITTskills courses from anywhere with an internet connection—even 13,600 feet above sea level!

Check-out our website for a complete listing of our delivery and accredited partners!

See you in the classroom!

Tis' the Season for Networking

Looking to do some networking, but feeling daunted by the snow?

Join FITT on LinkedIn to connect with a community of more than 14 million professionals with just a click of your mouse!

An online tool that allows people and groups to connect, share, and network, LinkedIn is FITT’s latest venture into the world of social media. Join our group today for on-going discussions, news updates, and collaboration.

LinkedIn also allows the FITT community to share our organization and resources with their contacts.

So, don’t wait! If you are a LinkedIn member, sign-in and visit our group to join. Or, to learn more about LinkedIn, please Click Here.

We look forward to your contributions!

Project Chincha Baja

FITT’s CITPs have been spanning global markets for over a decade. Involved in every facet of international trade, our CITPs are global leaders in countless disciples, employing their expertise in numerous countries world-wide. FITT is proud of the monumentous influence our CITPs hold globally, including one of our longest standing members, Mr. Joseph Gubbels.

Joe has been a CITP for 10 years. With extensive international experience, Joe’s expertise focuses on market research and the development of marketing and business plans. Although educated in Canada, he spent the earlier part of his career working in Peru. There, he was active in the promotion of education and community development, fostering the advancement of many children through his efforts.

Ismaél Cárdenas Gallardo is a sincere and well presented Peruvian, now working as an Administrator for Amigos de Siempre in Chincha Baja, Peru. He is one of the children who were given an improved foundation by Joe nearly 40 years ago. In 2004, Ismaél found his mentor in Edmonton and convinced him to return to Peru to assist in the development of Chincha Baja – a small community on the West coast.

Joe’s return to Peru, as a volunteer retiree, contributed greatly to the transformation of this community. With his international and business knowledge, Joe worked with the local authorities, community members, and international partners to foster the building and development of two primary schools. Focusing on an underprivileged area, the schools saw dramatic transformations with improved infrastructure, programs, and academic standing. These positive changes extended beyond the school walls, radiating throughout this community.

However, on August 15th, 2007 a magnitude 8.1 earthquake struck only 6km from Chincha Baja. The devastation was horrific, with nearly 90% of the Adobe-constructed buildings destroyed. The only two schools left standing were the ones recently built with Canadian support.

Then in Canada, Joe immediately recognized the critical need of the community and returned to Peru. He began working with Canadian sponsors and the local community to construct common kitchens, classrooms, and shelters to sustain the town. He also raised $25K, which was matched by the Wild Rose Foundation of Alberta, for the rebuilding of Chincha Baja.

Joe assisted the local group Amigos de Siempre in the legitimization of their fundraising program by registering their charity for accountability and standards. Contributions to the rebuilding effort were enormous, facilitated through cooperation of the city council, town mayor, and Rainbow of Hope for Children—a Canadian-based charity aiming to “alleviate suffering and change the structures causing injustice” throughout the world.

Their present project is the Centre for Occupational Education in Chincha Baja. This facility is purposed to “provide a series of sustainable adult educational programs for Peruvian women and men which will lead to equality, self-esteem, personal identity, capacity building and improved employment opportunities”. Bringing positive change and progress to the community, Project Chincha Baja is critical not only in the sustaining of the community but also as an example for the entire country.

Joe’s work is an inspiration to all Canadians, but particularly to those involved at an international level. His dedication to the development of Chincha Baja and work with the Rainbow of Hope for Children Society speaks volumes to his personal and professional commitments.

Rainbow of Hope has a goal of $150,000 to continue support and development in this area. If you are interested in contributing to Project Chincha Baja, we encourage you to contact Joe at: 780.484.5060 / jgubbs@shaw.ca. All contributions raised within Canada will be matched in triplicate by the Canadian International Development Agency.

http://www.rainbowofhopeforchildren.ca/