WTO Seattle Host Organization Releases Calendar of Business-Related Events.

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 1999--

The Seattle Host Organization (SHO) for the World Trade Organization ministerial November 29-December 3, 1999 today released a calendar of business-related events to be held this fall in preparation for the global trade meeting.

These events are open to the public and are sponsored by a range of local business and trade organizations, in collaboration with SHO. They cover a variety of topics such as the WTO, access to capital and global markets for small and medium-sized businesses, how to find a job in international trade, how to build global business relationships, and an assessment of trade issues from various regional perspectives.

"The enthusiasm within the business and trade community to present programming about trade, careers in international business, resources for small business, and the WTO has really been impressive," said Liz Thomas, chair of the SHO Business Outreach Subcommittee. "SHO is indebted to the hundreds of individuals and organizations in the state who have made this calendar of events possible."

A brief description of several of the events follows. For more detailed information on these and other events, visit the SHO website at www.wtoseattle.org or contact Jayme White with the Seattle Host Organization office at 206/770-3150, extension 5103.

American Electronics Association, October 19, 20 and 21, 1999:

In conjunction with Edmonds Community College, the Snohomish County Economic Development Council, Spokane Community College, and Clark College, AEA will convene a series of roundtable discussions on the topic of high-technology trade and the WTO.

World Trade Club, October 21, 1999:

The WTC annual "Bilateral Trade Organization of the Year Award" dinner will feature a mini-trade show and guest speaker Joseph Papovich, USTR negotiator for intellectual property rights.

Food World '99, October 24-26, 1999:

The Kent Chamber of Commerce will hold its 7th annual international business conference and exhibition to showcase NW processed food products, equipment and technology for companies from Asia, Canada, Russia and Mexico. William T. Coyle, of the US Department of Agriculture, will speak on October 25th on "The Changing Structure of Global Food Trade."

World Affairs Council Discussion Series, October and November,

1999:

The World Affairs Council will convene a series of discussion panels to explore issues related to trade and the WTO. "International Trade and Labor: Challenges and Opportunities" will take place Tuesday, October 19th in Seattle. "International Trade and the Environment: Can We "Green" the WTO?" will be held on Tuesday, October 26th in Seattle. "E-Commerce and the WTO: Policies and Practices -- What Your Business Should Know" will take place Friday, November 12th in Redmond. "Nearing the Millennium: Washington State and the Seattle Round" will be held on Friday, November 19th in Tacoma.

Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic

Development, October and November, 1999:

CTED will convene a series of seven statewide roundtables for small and medium businesses involving panels of small business CEOs and exploring topics such as "What is the WTO?" and "How Can the WTO Help Small Business?" Sessions will be held in Spokane, Yakima, Everett, Vancouver, Bellingham, Tacoma and Kent.