CPCC accepting reservations to Global Competitiveness II Summit on 2/21

The opening of a major intermodal facility at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, combined with the expansion of thePanama Canal in 2014 will significantly affect trade routes across the globe and present significant entrepreneurial, manufacturing and transportationopportunities for the Charlotte region. Ships from Asia will be able to reach the U.S. east coast more quickly and directly. This change to the world's shipping patterns is expected to position Charlotte as a unique intermodal transportation center and leader in global commerce and manufacturing.

To prepare the region's key decision makers for this global shift, a host of local and national business leaders will gather for this second summit to discuss what opportunities exist for the region to create, make and move products across the global marketplace. Scheduled speakers include:

· Dr. Seth Harris, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor

· Sharon Decker, N.C. Commerce Secretary

· Dr. John Silvia, Managing Director and Chief Economist for Wells Fargo

· Michael Gallis, Global Strategist

· Peter Ammon, German Ambassador to the United States

· Anthony Foxx, Mayor of Charlotte

· Tanja Gonner, GIZ Board Chairwoman

· Mike Manis, Director of Community & Economic Development for Centralina Council of Government

Other featured presentations will include Bob Morgan, president and CEO of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, announcing the Chamber's strategic plan; Ronnie Bryant, CEO of the Charlotte Regional Partnership, presenting the group's marketingplan for the region; and Chris William, host of "Carolina Business Review," moderating two panel discussions with business leaders on what the region needs to do to become more globally competitive.

There are many German businesses in the Queen City; in fact, Germany is the most largely represented country in the Charlotte region. Almost 60 German companies are headquartered in Charlotte and more than 190 companies in the Queen City are German-owned. Therefore, the summit is attracting a strong German contingent. In addition to Mr. Ammon, Tanja Gonner, a GIZ board chairwoman, will also be a featured speaker. GIZ is a German international economic and workforce development agency.

The Global Competitiveness II Summit was created to build upon the success of the first Global Competitive Success event, held in August 2012 at CPCC's Harris Campus, and seeks to inform and engage Charlotte region stakeholders in developing strategies and partnerships that will allow the region to grow a robust and resilient advanced manufacturing economy, workforce pipeline and transportation infrastructure.

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 21; 7 a.m. – noon

WHERE: Harris Conference Center, CPCC Harris Campus, 3216 Harris Conference Dr., Charlotte, NC

CONTACT: Tickets are $25 and includes breakfast. To register, visit www.cpccc.edu/global<http://www.cpccc.edu/global>.