MBiz

T he World Trade Centre Winnipeg (WTC Winnipeg) is putting out the welcome mat for its entire international "family" at business-to-business forum Centrallia on May 25- 27, 2016. Presented under the WTC banner for the first time, Centrallia 2016 also opens the door for Manitobans to become better acquainted with its vast trade network. "For us, it's the first time we can go and get our brothers and sisters out there and get them to bring a delegation and to really showcase the value of this new network that Winnipeg is part of," WTC Winnipeg CEO Mariette Mulaire says. "We have access to this whole new family of like-minded professionals that share this reciprocity approach of helping each other out." Mulaire was recently elected to the World Trade Centers Association board of directors — becoming the only Canadian and one of only four North Americans on the 23-person board. That feat alone has put Manitoba on a surprisingly influential footing in the international business community. "It's unbelievable how we see the positive effect of it already — way more than I anticipated," she says. "Hopefully it will translate into something else even better, more solid and more obvious for Manitoba." American civil and human rights leader Dr. Gerald Durley will set the tone for Centrallia as the opening keynote speaker, with a focus on building personal relationships as a foundation for strong business relationships. As well, two round tables will look at business opportunities in the Arctic and in the Americas. And the trade show at RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg will feature a WTC Alley to accentuate the benefits of having more than 300 WTC partners in over 100 countries. "So that you really know you're not alone, businesses. If you have a question there's this whole network out there," Mulaire says. "It's not government led, it's really private- sector led, where you know that on the other side people want to help because they're in the same boat as you." Centrallia was presented in 2010 and 2012 by ANIM, the bilingual trade agency that has since expanded its mandate as WTC Winnipeg. The first WTC Winnipeg board of directors was introduced at Centrallia 2012, when more than 700 delegates from 30 countries attended. Last October, Centrallia Manitoba — the first provincial version of the event — elicited an equally enthusiastic response. Centrallia organizers play matchmaker, arranging business-to-business "speed- dating" meetings, along with networking events. WTC Winnipeg is also looking forward to showing off the revamped convention centre and unique businesses and attractions sparked by Manitoba's community of innovators. "The expression I've been hearing so much is that they punch above their weight. People have a positive attitude here that to me makes it the whole reason why we are making lots of successes in what we undertake," Mulaire says. "When you look back at who actually started this province, it's not that long ago and the strength of the people then about being bold, about taking risks in really extreme weather situations, surviving and taking chances on things and believing that they will succeed — these are still part of our DNA as a society, and it shows. I really see it so clearly, and I think that's why we have something to offer and we want to show the world." Learn more at www.centrallia.com. ■ worLd trade Centre winniPeg Meet the global business family we have access to this whole new family of like-minded professionals that share this reciprocity approach of helping each other out." wTC winnipeg Ceo Mariette Mulaire. Photo by Dan Harper

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