Programs
Upcoming Program
Doing Business In and With India
Location: Wichita Country Club – 8501 East 13th Street North, Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, March 6, 2025
Event Schedule
Chair, WTCouncil
Barton Distinguished Chair & KS Faculty of Excellence—Wichita State University
6:30 PM: Social & Networking Reception
7:30 PM: Banquet
8:10 PM: Introductions by Dr. Usha Haley
Chair, WTCouncil
Barton Distinguished Chair & KS Faculty of Excellence—Wichita State University
Chair, WTCouncil
Barton Distinguished Chair & KS Faculty of Excellence—Wichita State University
8:15 PM: Keynote Address by Mr. D. C. Manjunath
Consul General of India, Consulate General of Houston
9:00 PM: Discussion/Questions/Adjourn
Note: This program is full, and we are taking no more reservations. Thank you for your interest, and we hope to see you at our next event in April!
Reach Out
For further inquiries, please email us at programs@wtcouncil.com or wtcouncil@wichita.edu or give us a call.
Upcoming Program
Wichita Committee on Foreign Relations (partner of the World Trade Council of Wichita) hosts a dinner presentation on investments, tariffs, trade and China:
How Chinese investment affected international competitiveness in U.S. oil and natural gas: Are tariffs a way forward?
Location: Wichita Country Club – 8501 East 13th Street North—Wichita, KS
Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Event Schedule
Chair, WTCouncil
Barton Distinguished Chair & KS Faculty of Excellence—Wichita State University
6:00 PM: Social & Networking Reception
6:45 PM: Banquet
7:15 PM: Dinner & Presentation
7:20 PM: Keynote Address: Dr. Usha Haley
Chair, World Trade Council of Wichita
Barton Distinguished Chair & KS Faculty of Excellence—Wichita State University
Chair, WTCouncil
Barton Distinguished Chair & KS Faculty of Excellence—Wichita State University
8:00 PM: Discussion / Questions/ Adjourn
8:15 PM: Keynote Address by Mr. D. C. Manjunath
Consul General of India, Consulate General of Houston
9:00 PM: Discussion/Questions/Adjourn
Note: This program is full, and we are taking no more reservations. Thank you for your interest, and we hope to see you at our next event in April!
Reach Out
For further inquiries, please email us at programs@wtcouncil.com or wtcouncil@wichita.edu or give us a call.
Upcoming Program
Representative Past Programs
Doing Business In and With India
Location: Wichita Country Club – 8501 East 13th Street North, Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, March 6, 2025
Event Schedule
6:30 PM: Social & Networking Reception
7:30 PM: Banquet
8:10 PM: Introductions by Dr. Usha Haley
Chair, WTCouncil
Barton Distinguished Chair & KS Faculty of Excellence—Wichita State University
8:15 PM: Keynote Address by Mr. D. C. Manjunath
Consul General of India, Consulate General of Houston
9:00 PM: Discussion/Questions/Adjourn
P&G: Global Strategic Challenges and Opportunities
Location: Wichita Country Club – 8501 East 13th Street North, Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, September 26, 2024
Event Schedule
6:00 PM: Social & Networking Reception
7:00 PM: Banquet
7:45 PM: Introductions by Dr. Usha Haley
Chair, WTCounci
Barton Distinguished Chair & KS Faculty of Excellence—Wichita State University
8:00 PM: Keynote Address by Mr. Tadd Fowler
Senior Vice President – Treasurer, Global Taxes
The Procter and Gamble Company
8:30 PM: Discussion / Questions
8:45 PM: Adjourn
Spirit AeroSystems on Global Supply Chains
Location: Wichita Country Club – 8501 East 13th Street North, Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, May 2, 2024
Event Schedule
6:00 PM: Social & Networking Reception
7:00 PM: Banquet
7:30 PM: Introductions by Mr. Reid Jackson
Senior Leader, Finance, Spirit AeroSystems
7:35 PM: Distinguished Presenter: Dr. Wendy Crossman
Vice President, Strategic Sourcing, Spirit AeroSystems
8:00 PM: Discussion
8:30 PM: Questions
8:45 PM: Adjourn
Economic Outlook with Dr. Nicholas Sly
Location: Wichita Country Club – 8501 East 13th Street North, Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, April 11, 2024
Event Schedule
6:00 PM: Social & Networking Reception
6:30 PM: Banquet
7:30 PM: Introductions by Dr. Usha Haley
Chair, WTCouncil
Barton Distinguished Chair & KS Faculty of Excellence—Wichita State University
7:35 PM: Distinguished Presenter: Dr. Nicholas Sly
Vice President, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
8:00 PM: Discussion
8:30 PM: Questions
8:45 PM: Adjourn
Kansas and Canada: Partners in Trade
Location: Wichita Country Club – 8501 East 13th Street North, Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, March 14, 2024
Event Schedule
6:00 PM: Social & Networking Reception
6:30 PM: Banquet
7:30 PM: Introductions by Mr. Ted Vlamis
Vice Chair, WTCouncil
Principal, Vlamis International Business Advisors
7:45 PM: Keynote Address by Consul General Sylvain Fabi
The Consulate of Canada in Denver
8:00 PM: Discussion
8:30 PM: Questions
8:45 PM: Adjourn
Business Operations in Mexico: Successful Strategies & Cautionary Tales
Location: Wichita Country Club – 8501 East 13th Street North, Wichita, KS
Date: Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Event Schedule
6:00 PM: Social & Networking Reception
6:30 PM: Banquet
7:30 PM: Introductions by Dr. Usha Haley
Chair, WTCouncil
Barton Distinguished Chair & KS Faculty of Excellence—Wichita State University
7:45 PM: Presentations & Discussion
8:30 PM: Questions & Adjourn
Panelists
Edo Geromel, Cargill Protein Group
Ted J. Vlamis, Vlamis International Business Advisors
Is China a National Security Threat and How Does This Affect Business?
Location: Wichita Country Club – 8501 East 13th Street North, Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, November 2, 2023
Event Schedule
6:00 PM: Social & Networking Reception
7:00 PM: Banquet
7:50 PM: Introductions by Ted J. Vlamis
Vice Chair, WTCouncil
Vice President, Pioneer Balloon Company
8:00 PM: Discussion
8:45 PM: Questions & Adjourn
Panelists
Dr. David Graff
Kansas State University Pickett Professor & Chair of History
Dr. Usha Haley
Chair, WTCouncil & WSU Barton Distinguished Chair & KS Faculty of Excellence, Barton School of Business
Col. Donald E. McClure
US Air Force Group Commander, 184th Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Group, McConnell Air Force Base Kansas Air National Guard
Vision 2030, Business Opportunities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: An Evening with Fahad Nazer
Location: Wichita Country Club – 8501 East 13th Street North, Wichita, KS
Date: Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Event Schedule
6:00 PM: Social & Networking Reception
7:00 PM: Banquet
7:50 PM: Introductions by Dr. Usha Haley
Chair, WTCouncil
Barton Distinguished Chair & KS Faculty of Excellence, Wichita State University
8:00 PM: Keynote Address: Vision 2030, Business Opportunities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
8:45 PM: Questions
9:00 PM: Adjourn
Keynote Speaker
Fahad Nazer
Official Spokesperson, The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Washington, DC.
2023 World Trade Week Honors Mexico
Location: Wichita Marriott Hotel – 9100 Corporate Hills Drive, Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, May 11, 2023
Every summer, with the support of the Governor of Kansas and the Mayor of Wichita, the WTCouncil hosts World Trade Week with senior managers and policymakers to cover in-depth the most important international investment opportunities and takeaways from the previous year and for the next. The World Trade Council spotlights the importance of trade and FDI for Wichita, Kansas, and the USA. Please join us for an evening with our largest trading partner in 2023—Mexico!
Event Schedule
6:00 PM: Social & Networking Reception
7:00 PM: Banquet
7:30 PM: Dharma deSilva Scholarship Recipients Presented by Dr. Usha Haley
Barton Distinguished Chair & KS Faculty of Excellence, Wichita State University & WTCouncil (Chair)
7:45 PM: Introductions
Mr. Ted Vlamis: VP—Pioneer Balloon, Vice Chair-WTCouncil
Mayor Brandon Whipple—Welcome & Wichita Proclamation
Ms. April Chiang, KDOC—Governor of Kansas Proclamation
8:00 PM: Keynote Address by Ms. Soileh Padilla-Mayer
Head Consul, Consulate of Mexico, Kansas City
9:00 PM: Adjourn
Panelists
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Usha Haley, WTCouncil Chair, at usha.haley@wichita.edu.
Globalization and its Aftermath: Concerns and Strategies
Location: Wichita Marriott Hotel – 9100 Corporate Hills Drive, Wichita, KS
Date: Tuesday, April 11, 2023
The WTCouncil of Wichita will host an expert panel featuring:
Dr. Melissa H. Birch: Executive Director of the Institute of International & Global Engagement at the University of Kansas
Mr. Juan Escalante: VP of SkyCourier Sales at Textron Aviation
Dr. Usha Haley: Barton Distinguished Chair & KS Faculty of Excellence, Wichita State University & WTCouncil (Chair)
The panel will discuss crosscutting issues related to “Globalization and its Aftermath: Concerns and Strategies.” This event will include a dinner and social gathering with participants across the industry.
Doing Business in & with South Korea: Korea as Investor, Partner, & Market
Location: Wichita Marriott Hotel – 9100 Corporate Hills Drive, Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, March 23, 2023
KOTRA, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, will speak on “Doing Business in & with South Korea: Korea as Investor, Partner, & Market.” KOTRA would like to meet with a couple of businesses in the area to discuss opportunities in South Korea and collaboration with South Korean companies.
If your company or association would like to meet with KOTRA to explore these topics or simply showcase your facilities, please email us at wtcouncil@wichita.edu. This event will include a dinner and social gathering with participants across the industry.
What Matters: Insights from Deloitte Consulting
Location: Wichita Marriott Hotel – 9100 Corporate Hills Drive, Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, February 23, 2023
The Center for International Business Administration and The World Trade Council of Wichita host Mr. Lou Librandi, who will present on “Deloitte: Delivering on Promises,” alongside Mr. Geoff Tuff, who will discuss “Sustainability Imperatives and Business Models in Energy and Industrials.” Both are principals from Deloitte Consulting US and will engage in an expert discussion panel. This event will include a dinner and social gathering with participants across the industry.
Understanding and Managing Global Supply Chains in Our Turbulent Times
Location: Wichita Marriott Hotel – 9100 Corporate Hills Drive, Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, December 8, 2022
The Center for International Business Administration and The World Trade Council of Wichita host executives from Spirit AeroSystems for an expert discussion panel on “Understanding and Managing Global Supply Chains in Our Turbulent Times.” This event will include a dinner and social gathering with participants across the industry.
The China-Taiwan Situation: What Should We Know and What Can We Do About It
Location: Wichita Marriott Hotel – 9100 Corporate Hills Drive, Wichita, KS
Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2022
The Center for International Business Administration and the World Trade Council of Wichita will host an expert discussion panel on “The China-Taiwan Situation: What Should We Know and What Can We Do About It.” This event will include a dinner and social gathering with industry participants.
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and its Aftermath
Location: Wichita Marriott Hotel – 9100 Corporate Hills Drive, Wichita, KS
Date: April 08, 2022
The Center for International Business Administration and The World Trade Council of Wichita host an expert discussion panel on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and its implications on global trade. This event will include a dinner and social gathering with participants across the industry.
The Development of African Private Enterprise: Lessons and Opportunities for Investors, Collaborators and Students
Date: November 18, 2021
Mark Wentling presents “The Development of African Private Enterprise: Lessons and Opportunities for Investors, Collaborators and Students.” This WTCouncil-CIBA event is co-sponsored by the International Business Studies Association.
How China’s Subsidies Threaten Advanced-Technology Industries
Date: October 31, 2021
Dr. Usha Haley presents her research funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and her forthcoming book with Oxford University Press at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) webinar. This presentation will explore the implications of China’s subsidies on advanced-technology industries.
Representative Past Programs
P&G: Global Strategic Challenges and Opportunities
Location: Wichita Country Club – 8501 East 13th Street North, Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, September 26, 2024
Event Schedule
6:00 PM: Social & Networking Reception
7:00 PM: Banquet
7:45 PM: Introductions by Dr. Usha Haley
Chair, WTCounci
Barton Distinguished Chair & KS Faculty of Excellence—Wichita State University
8:00 PM: Keynote Address by Mr. Tadd Fowler
Senior Vice President – Treasurer, Global Taxes
The Procter and Gamble Company
8:30 PM: Discussion / Questions
8:45 PM: Adjourn
Spirit AeroSystems on Global Supply Chains
Location: Wichita Country Club – 8501 East 13th Street North, Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, May 2, 2024
Event Schedule
6:00 PM: Social & Networking Reception
7:00 PM: Banquet
7:30 PM: Introductions by Mr. Reid Jackson
Senior Leader, Finance, Spirit AeroSystems
7:35 PM: Distinguished Presenter: Dr. Wendy Crossman
Vice President, Strategic Sourcing, Spirit AeroSystems
8:00 PM: Discussion
8:30 PM: Questions
8:45 PM: Adjourn
Economic Outlook with Dr. Nicholas Sly
Location: Wichita Country Club – 8501 East 13th Street North, Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, April 11, 2024
Event Schedule
6:00 PM: Social & Networking Reception
6:30 PM: Banquet
7:30 PM: Introductions by Dr. Usha Haley
Chair, WTCouncil
Barton Distinguished Chair & KS Faculty of Excellence—Wichita State University
7:35 PM: Distinguished Presenter: Dr. Nicholas Sly
Vice President, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
8:00 PM: Discussion
8:30 PM: Questions
8:45 PM: Adjourn
Kansas and Canada: Partners in Trade
Location: Wichita Country Club – 8501 East 13th Street North, Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, March 14, 2024
Event Schedule
6:00 PM: Social & Networking Reception
6:30 PM: Banquet
7:30 PM: Introductions by Mr. Ted Vlamis
Vice Chair, WTCouncil
Principal, Vlamis International Business Advisors
7:45 PM: Keynote Address by Consul General Sylvain Fabi
The Consulate of Canada in Denver
8:00 PM: Discussion
8:30 PM: Questions
8:45 PM: Adjourn
Business Operations in Mexico: Successful Strategies & Cautionary Tales
Location: Wichita Country Club – 8501 East 13th Street North, Wichita, KS
Date: Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Event Schedule
6:00 PM: Social & Networking Reception
6:30 PM: Banquet
7:30 PM: Introductions by Dr. Usha Haley
Chair, WTCouncil
Barton Distinguished Chair & KS Faculty of Excellence—Wichita State University
7:45 PM: Presentations & Discussion
8:30 PM: Questions & Adjourn
Panelists
Edo Geromel, Cargill Protein Group
Ted J. Vlamis, Vlamis International Business Advisors
Is China a National Security Threat and How Does This Affect Business?
Location: Wichita Country Club – 8501 East 13th Street North, Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, November 2, 2023
Event Schedule
6:00 PM: Social & Networking Reception
7:00 PM: Banquet
7:50 PM: Introductions by Ted J. Vlamis
Vice Chair, WTCouncil
Vice President, Pioneer Balloon Company
8:00 PM: Discussion
8:45 PM: Questions & Adjourn
Panelists
Dr. David Graff
Kansas State University Pickett Professor & Chair of History
Dr. Usha Haley
Chair, WTCouncil & WSU Barton Distinguished Chair & KS Faculty of Excellence, Barton School of Business
Col. Donald E. McClure
US Air Force Group Commander, 184th Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Group, McConnell Air Force Base Kansas Air National Guard
Vision 2030, Business Opportunities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: An Evening with Fahad Nazer
Location: Wichita Country Club – 8501 East 13th Street North, Wichita, KS
Date: Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Event Schedule
6:00 PM: Social & Networking Reception
7:00 PM: Banquet
7:50 PM: Introductions by Dr. Usha Haley
Chair, WTCouncil
Barton Distinguished Chair & KS Faculty of Excellence, Wichita State University
8:00 PM: Keynote Address: Vision 2030, Business Opportunities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
8:45 PM: Questions
9:00 PM: Adjourn
Keynote Speaker
Fahad Nazer
Official Spokesperson, The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Washington, DC.
2023 World Trade Week Honors Mexico
Location: Wichita Marriott Hotel – 9100 Corporate Hills Drive, Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, May 11, 2023
Every summer, with the support of the Governor of Kansas and the Mayor of Wichita, the WTCouncil hosts World Trade Week with senior managers and policymakers to cover in-depth the most important international investment opportunities and takeaways from the previous year and for the next. The World Trade Council spotlights the importance of trade and FDI for Wichita, Kansas, and the USA. Please join us for an evening with our largest trading partner in 2023—Mexico!
Event Schedule
6:00 PM: Social & Networking Reception
7:00 PM: Banquet
7:30 PM: Dharma deSilva Scholarship Recipients Presented by Dr. Usha Haley
Barton Distinguished Chair & KS Faculty of Excellence, Wichita State University & WTCouncil (Chair)
7:45 PM: Introductions
Mr. Ted Vlamis: VP—Pioneer Balloon, Vice Chair-WTCouncil
Mayor Brandon Whipple—Welcome & Wichita Proclamation
Ms. April Chiang, KDOC—Governor of Kansas Proclamation
8:00 PM: Keynote Address by Ms. Soileh Padilla-Mayer
Head Consul, Consulate of Mexico, Kansas City
9:00 PM: Adjourn
Panelists
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Usha Haley, WTCouncil Chair, at usha.haley@wichita.edu.
Globalization and its Aftermath: Concerns and Strategies
Location: Wichita Marriott Hotel – 9100 Corporate Hills Drive, Wichita, KS
Date: Tuesday, April 11, 2023
The WTCouncil of Wichita will host an expert panel featuring:
Dr. Melissa H. Birch: Executive Director of the Institute of International & Global Engagement at the University of Kansas
Mr. Juan Escalante: VP of SkyCourier Sales at Textron Aviation
Dr. Usha Haley: Barton Distinguished Chair & KS Faculty of Excellence, Wichita State University & WTCouncil (Chair)
The panel will discuss crosscutting issues related to “Globalization and its Aftermath: Concerns and Strategies.” This event will include a dinner and social gathering with participants across the industry.
Doing Business in & with South Korea: Korea as Investor, Partner, & Market
Location: Wichita Marriott Hotel – 9100 Corporate Hills Drive, Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, March 23, 2023
KOTRA, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, will speak on “Doing Business in & with South Korea: Korea as Investor, Partner, & Market.” KOTRA would like to meet with a couple of businesses in the area to discuss opportunities in South Korea and collaboration with South Korean companies.
If your company or association would like to meet with KOTRA to explore these topics or simply showcase your facilities, please email us at wtcouncil@wichita.edu. This event will include a dinner and social gathering with participants across the industry.
What Matters: Insights from Deloitte Consulting
Location: Wichita Marriott Hotel – 9100 Corporate Hills Drive, Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, February 23, 2023
The Center for International Business Administration and The World Trade Council of Wichita host Mr. Lou Librandi, who will present on “Deloitte: Delivering on Promises,” alongside Mr. Geoff Tuff, who will discuss “Sustainability Imperatives and Business Models in Energy and Industrials.” Both are principals from Deloitte Consulting US and will engage in an expert discussion panel. This event will include a dinner and social gathering with participants across the industry.
Understanding and Managing Global Supply Chains in Our Turbulent Times
Location: Wichita Marriott Hotel – 9100 Corporate Hills Drive, Wichita, KS
Date: Thursday, December 8, 2022
The Center for International Business Administration and The World Trade Council of Wichita host executives from Spirit AeroSystems for an expert discussion panel on “Understanding and Managing Global Supply Chains in Our Turbulent Times.” This event will include a dinner and social gathering with participants across the industry.
The China-Taiwan Situation: What Should We Know and What Can We Do About It
Location: Wichita Marriott Hotel – 9100 Corporate Hills Drive, Wichita, KS
Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2022
The Center for International Business Administration and the World Trade Council of Wichita will host an expert discussion panel on “The China-Taiwan Situation: What Should We Know and What Can We Do About It.” This event will include a dinner and social gathering with industry participants.
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and its Aftermath
Location: Wichita Marriott Hotel – 9100 Corporate Hills Drive, Wichita, KS
Date: April 08, 2022
The Center for International Business Administration and The World Trade Council of Wichita host an expert discussion panel on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and its implications on global trade. This event will include a dinner and social gathering with participants across the industry.
The Development of African Private Enterprise: Lessons and Opportunities for Investors, Collaborators and Students
Date: November 18, 2021
Mark Wentling presents “The Development of African Private Enterprise: Lessons and Opportunities for Investors, Collaborators and Students.” This WTCouncil-CIBA event is co-sponsored by the International Business Studies Association.
How China’s Subsidies Threaten Advanced-Technology Industries
Date: October 31, 2021
Dr. Usha Haley presents her research funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and her forthcoming book with Oxford University Press at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) webinar. This presentation will explore the implications of China’s subsidies on advanced-technology industries.