FITT's 12th Annual Conference - Mark your Calendar!

FITT’s 12th Annual Conference

Featuring CME’s Global Business 20/20 Summit
The must-attend event for the international trade community in 2009.

FITT – the world’s leading international trade training and professional certification body – welcomes community members and industry professionals to our 12th Annual Conference, featuring CME’s Global Business 20/20 Summit, running May 25-26th at the International Centre in Mississauga, ON.

This year, in partnership with CME, FITT is pleased to offer an expert international trade collective featuring focused roundtables, dynamic key-note speakers, awards, and direct networking opportunities. With industry-spanning information, this forum is the ideal place to engage with the specialized and dynamic trade community.

Learn from today’s leaders and take-part in the exceptional schedule of development and networking events. Join us and more than 350 industry professionals as we explore the path to international trade success.

Please note: The conference website is currently under construction. Stay tuned for more information or contact Silvia Baptista, Manager of Marketing Communications, at silvia@fitt.ca.

What a few little letters can mean…

A few little letters can mean a lot to PPL these days. AAMOF, whether you’re professional prospects are TGTBT, or you’re currently AWLTP, a couple of digits can say a lot about who you are, and where you want to go.

IMHO, FITT’s little letters – CITP – mean something bigger. Not just cool initials to put on your CV, the Certified International Trade Professional certification is a mark of superior knowledge, standards, and practice.

CITP means TCOB in the most professional, progressive, and prestigious way. CITPs are global leaders who know the current international trade environment and are leading the future of their industry.

So GOWI! Visit us online and learn how to set yourself apart with the CITP—four little letters with serious meaning.

Text-Talk Glossary:

PPL – People
AAMOF – As a matter of fact
TGTBT – Too good to be true
AWLTP – Avoiding work like the plague
IMHO – In my humble opinion
TCOB – Taking care of business
GOWI – Get on with it

CITP – Certified International Trade Professional
FITT – Forum for International Trade Training

Canada’s newest CITP receives professional designation

Ottawa, ON – Ms. Berni Wood has just been awarded the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation, by FITT, the world’s leading international trade training and professional certification body. Ms. Wood is the President of Berni Wood & Associates and Reel Media, both located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

The CITP is the highest mark of professionalism in international trade and the only professional designation of its kind in Canada. To attain this designation, an individual must meet FITT’s educational and experience requirements and abide by the Standards of Ethical Conduct. She completed the FITTskills program through the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown.

“Clients that come to Berni Wood & Associates and Reel Media expect the best in service delivery. They want to know we have the business knowledge, the integrity, and the international trade training to deliver beyond their expectations,” says Ms. Wood. “I believe that FITT enhances training and awareness through its CITP designation which provides companies with the assurance of well seasoned and ethical professionals in the international trade community. I am proud to be awarded the CITP designation and to share my knowledge with the international trade community.”

An international trade training and professional certification body – and the only organization of its kind in the world – FITT sets the standards and designs the training programs leading to the professional designation, Certified International Trade Professional (CITP). FITT’s quality training programs impart knowledge and practical skills that trade practitioners can apply immediately – providing competitive advantage and elevating their position in world markets. “FITT remains focused on its commitment to develop valued and relevant international trade programs and services, as well as implementing comprehensive national standards for global trade practitioners,” says FITT President, Caroline Tompkins. “We are extremely proud to welcome Berni to the growing group of CITPs across Canada who are excelling in the international trade arena thanks to the skills, knowledge, competencies and support they have earned along with their CITP designation.”

FITT equips individuals and organizations with knowledge and practical skills required to be leaders in the global business environment. FITT membership provides ongoing professional development and networking opportunities plus CITPs and members play a direct role in ensuring Canada’s international trade competitiveness. FITT and CITP: strengthening your hand in international trade.

For more information or to set up an interview, please contact:

Scott C. Ferris, CITP,
Director, Business Development
FITT (Forum for International Trade Training)
Tel: 613.230.3553 or 800.561.3488
E-mail: scott@fitt.ca
www.fitt.ca

Berni Wood, CITP,
President Berni Wood & Associates
Tel: 902-566-1767 Cell: 902-629-0775
E-mail: berni@berniwood.com

Saigon WTC and FITT – A Global Partnership

Saigon World Trade Center (WTC) is the latest Corporate Member to join the FITT community. Fast on its way to becoming an Educational Partner, Saigon WTC was introduced to FITT during the World Trade Centers Association Annual General Assembly held in Dubai in November 2008. Saigon WTC joined the FITT team in late December 2008 but has been advancing Vietnamese business relations since 2007.

Strengthening their country’s position in world markets, Saigon WTC is bringing Vietnam's growing economy to the frontline through the delivery of sound services and the establishment of strategic partnerships.

FITT would like to welcome Saigon WTC to our expanding community and looks forward to further partnerships within the extensive WTCA network—now with more than 300 World Trade Centers in 100 countries worldwide.

To apply for a FITT Corporate Membership or for more information, please visit us online or contact our Membership Team (membership@fitt.ca) or call us toll-free 800.561.3488.

100 Strong and Growing!

Just a quick note to mark our Facebook Fan-base topping 100! We are thrilled to have such a diverse and engaged community.

If you have any thoughts or suggestions that you would like to share with FITT or your community members, we encourage you to continue to do so.

Take advantage of the growing professional network that you are part of!

Remember, you can visit FITT on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/FITT/50658391728

EDC-FITT Internship Program

Ottawa, ON – Launching January 26, 2009, FITT and EDC are offering a new Internship Program for international trade students from the FITTskills program. In support of new graduates, EDC will be awarding one 12-month internship to a student who has successfully completed the FITTskills program from any recognized FITT Educational Partner.

This opportunity will allow the selected candidate to develop firsthand experience in the field of international trade while applying knowledge and expanding their industry network. The program will also facilitate the student’s progress towards the prestigious Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) accreditation, offering the required work experience for application.

To be eligible for the internship, candidates must complete the FITTskills program by May 31, 2009 and be under the age of 30. The deadline for application is March 2, 2009. Following review and decision by the EDC-FITT Selection Committee, the chosen candidate will be notified in April with the Ottawa-based internship scheduled to begin in May or June 2009.

For more information on this exciting new program, contact the Program Coordinator from your local FITTskills institution or call FITT at 800.561.6808 x 109

CITP – Taking you Places

Certified International Trade Professionals (CITP) are leaders in the competitive global market. Athabasca University recognizes the prestige and superior standards of the CITP accreditation by offering a streamlined Professional Designation application-path to their GDM and MBA programs.

Athabasca’s online graduate business programs, ranked in the top three in Canada by Canadian Business magazine, are designed for working, experienced managers and professionals. The challenging courses help students strengthen the comprehensive advanced-management skills needed for success in any sector—without putting their lives on hold.

CITPs, with at least five years of managerial experience, are eligible to apply directly to the GDM and MBA programs – regardless of their previous educational experience.

Standout in a competitive market with FITT and Athabasca University!

For more information, visit them online or attend one of Athabasca University’s MBA Program Information Sessions:

Mississauga: January 26th, 2009 (5:30-7:00PM) Delta Toronto Airport West (5444 Dixie Rd.)
Toronto: January 27th, 2009 (12 noon-1:30 pm) Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre
Scarborough: January 27th, 2009 (6:00 - 7:30 pm) Delta Toronto East (2035 Kennedy Rd.)
Markham: January 28th, 2009 (6:00 - 7:30 pm) Hilton Suites Markham
Ottawa: February 3rd, 2009 (12 noon - 1:30 pm) Marriott Ottawa (100 Kent St.)

To RSVP or for more information call Athabasca University at 800.561.4650 or email cimoffice@athabascau.ca

FITT and World Trade Centre Atlantic Canada advance partnerships at WTC General Assembly in Dubai

Ottawa, ON -- Building on the partnership that was established in 2007, FITT and the World Trade Center Atlantic Canada were in attendance at the 2008 WTCA General Assembly in Dubai, UAE. Delegates from 97 WTCs in 43 countries gathered to learn, share opportunities and advance the work of WTCs worldwide.

For FITT, this gathering afforded an opportunity to meet with numerous WTCs to discuss the relevance of the FITTskills program. Thanks in great part to WTC Atlantic Canada FITT’s programs are of significant interest within the WTC community for their practical and thorough content. The courses offered in 2008 by WTC Atlantic Canada, in Cyprus and New York City, have contributed greatly to building an awareness of FITT within the WTC organization and beyond.

During the assembly, discussions were advanced with several WTCs in the United States as well as those from Italy, the United Kingdom, Algiers, the UAE, and Germany to begin exploring the benefits of the FITT program. One of the first to run the courses was World Trade Center Illinois, who offered its first round of FITTskills training in November at its headquarters in Chicago.

For more information on the WTC–FITT partnership please contact Michael Young, Director Business Development at WTC Atlantic Canada 1.902.421.1302 x 237.