The Rise of Bourbonism: An Interview with Eric Gregory
This Global Trade Adventure
Episode 25: Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Eric Gregory, President of the Kentucky Distiller’s Association discuss the Kentucky bourbon industry, its history, standards, and the challenges it faces in the global market. They explore the rise of bourbonism, the impact of tariffs on exports, and the importance of tourism in promoting Kentucky's bourbon heritage. The conversation highlights the collaborative spirit of the distillers and the economic significance of bourbon to the state of Kentucky. Meet Eric Gregory Eric is a born and...
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Interview with David Brulotte, Québec's Delegate General in New York
This Global Trade Adventure
Episode 24: Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews David Brulotte, Québec’s Delegate General in New York. David and his team are touring various Kentucky companies and meeting with officials. Kentucky and Québec have significant, commercial relationships. Meet David Brulotte David explains his role is to promote and defend Québec’s interests in the US. The team in New York City consists of 30 people. This is their most senior team in the United States. In total, there are 9 offices in the United...
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Local to Global an Interview with Entrepreneur Ricky Mason
This Global Trade Adventure
Episode 23: Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Ricky Mason, an entrepreneur who is earning a lot of visibility these days. From a stint with the CIA, to working on actual rockets to launching a new company, Ricky is making an impact on many in his orbit. Meet Ricky Mason Omar and Ricky met at an International Trade Certification course, sponsored by the WTCKY. Ricky later participated in the 2024 Trade Mission to Dubai. Ricky grew up in Louisville. He attended the University of Kentucky. He earned his Master’s...
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The City of Ali Movie - Muhammad Ali’s Global Impact
This Global Trade Adventure
Episode 22: Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Graham Shelby, who directed a documentary film about Muhammad Ali, “The City of Ali”. They’ll discuss how the idea got started, how it grew and the global impact the film is having. Meet Graham Shelby Graham is a writer and storyteller who’s lived in Louisville for the past 20 years. His role as director and the path of the film, itself, is fairly unconventional. Muhammad Ali passed away in 2016. The coverage of his funeral and its effect on the entire city of...
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Theresa Reno-Weber- Her Journey from Startup to Global
This Global Trade Adventure
Episode 21: Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Theresa Reno-Weber, CEO of GoodMaps, in Louisville, KY. They provide an innovative, indoor mapping and navigation platform. Omar and Theresa discuss a variety of topics including how GoodMaps was spun off from a non-profit and continues to experience rapid growth on global scale. Meet Theresa Reno-Weber Theresa was initially hired into GoodMaps as the COO, a later assumed the role of CEO. She began her career as an officer in the US Coast Guard. After serving our...
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Growing Bourbon Sales Internationally
This Global Trade Adventure
Episode 20: Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Eddie Smith, CEO & Founder, Kentucky Exports, LLC and Bourbon Kings UAB. Eddie and his brother started in Elizabethtown and now Eddie lives in Lithuania, where he’s focused on growing sales and distribution of bourbon throughout the region. Meet Eddie Smith Eddie’s brother, Steve Smith, attended an with the World Trade Center Kentucky, a few years ago. This is how Omar became aware of what he and Eddie were doing with Kentucky Exports, LLC. Originally from...
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Helping Small Businesses Enter the Global Market
This Global Trade Adventure
Episode 19: Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Devanny King, Executive Director of the Women’s Business Center of Kentucky and Fausto Sarmiento, Center Director of Kentucky’s Small Business Development Center in Lexington. The World Trade Center Kentucky is proud of is partnerships and network of resources to support small businesses, as well as medium to large companies. Final Thoughts Devanny closes with a reminder that the Women’s Business Center’s services are offered as one-on-one, no-cost business coaching. ...
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Interview with Lisette Bryson, Global Manager for Trade Compliance
This Global Trade Adventure
Episode 18: Today, Omar Ayyash, President & CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Lisette Bryson. She’s the Global Manager for Trade Compliance at Alltech. They’re going to discuss her experience and the importance of compliance, as it relates to global trade. It’s an ever-evolving, regulatory landscape. Meet Lisette Lisette joined Alltech in July of 2024. However, she has an extensive background in trade compliance, working both directly for companies and in a consulting capacity. The biggest challenge companies tend to face when...
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Interview with Elaine Gravatte, Founder/CEO The Leader's Dance, LLC
This Global Trade Adventure
Episode 17: Today, Stephen Marks, Board Member, interviews Elaine Gravatte on the subject of Leading a Global Small Business from a CEOs Perspective. You may remember Steve Marks from . He’s the Senior Vice President of Supply Chain for Givaudan. He actually used to be one Elaine’s direct reports. Meet Elaine Elaine is the former CEO of DDW, The Color House and recently retired as Divisional President for . Prior to the acquisition by Givaudan, DDW was already a supplier to Coca-Coal, PepsiCo, Nestlé, Kraft Unilever and others from right here in...
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Interview with Ryan Quarles - KCTCS President
This Global Trade Adventure
Episode 16: Today, Dr. Omar Ayyash, President and CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Ryan Quarles, President and CEO of the Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS). Ryan shares some interesting insights about the impact KCTCS is having in its efforts to support Kentucky businesses and our workforce. Ryan observes that while Kentucky is a landlocked state, we are defined by our success in international markets. While Kentucky needs international trade, more importantly, the world needs Kentucky products. To Contact Ryan Quarles: Office...
info_outlineEpisode 5: Today, Dr. Omar Ayyash, President and CEO of the World Trade Center Kentucky interviews Brian Crilly, VP of International Supply Chain Management at Papa Johns, and Stephen Marks, Sr. VP of Supply at Givaudan Sense Colour. These seasoned professionals will join us for a discussion of some of the issues and challenges companies are facing, as well as solutions, in regard to managing international supply chain responsibilities.
Upcoming WTCKY EVENTS:
· 10/14/23 - Dubai Trade Mission
· 11/07/23 – International Trade Certification Program
The next episode of our podcast will launch on 11/13/23. Thank you for listening. Be sure to follow This Global Trade Adventure on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.WTCKY.com/podcast.
We hope you enjoyed Episode 5. Our schedule is to publish a new episode on the 2nd Monday of each month.
Please consider sharing this with your colleagues. Until next time, thank you for listening and welcome to This Global Trade Adventure.