VCU Hosts 15th Annual International Business Forum

By Tom Gresham

The shifting of power and influence due to globalization will be the subject next week of the 15th Annual International Business Forum of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business. 

“The Third Great Power Shift in Modern History: The Post-Western World as Globalization Gains Depth and Breadth” will explore how the more dynamic parts of the world, such as Asia, Latin America, Russia, the Middle East and Africa have gained strength through globalization, assuming some of the influence previously enjoyed by the United States and Europe.

The forum, which is co-sponsored by the VCU School of World Studies, will be held on Feb. 24 from 3 to 5:30 p.m. in the VCU Student Commons Ballroom, 907 Floyd Ave. A reception will follow at Snead Hall, 301 W. Main St. Attendance is free and open to the public. The event has attracted approximately 500 attendees in past years.

Expert panelists appearing this year include Hans Martens, CEO, European Policy Center (EPC); Bruce Thomas, senior vice president, MeadWestvaco; and Paul Grossman, director of international trade and investment, Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP). Van Wood, professor of marketing and Philip Morris Chair of International Business at VCU, will moderate.

Martens, whose specialties include European politics, economics and finance, is a frequent commentator in the world media, including for CNBC. He has worked in the sectors of finance, labor, communications, economic development, competitiveness, structural reform and social models. The EPC is an independent, not-for-profit think tank committed to works at the cutting edge of European and global policy-making. Members include companies, trade unions, diplomatic missions, regional and local bodies, professional and business federations and a range of non-governmental organizations.

Thomas leads MeadWestvaco’s marketing and business development activities in key growth markets such as China, India and Eastern Europe. MeadWestvaco has operations in more than 30 countries. Thomas previously served as president and CEO of Cadmus Communications, a service provider to academic and scholarly publishers. At Cadmus, he led the expansion of the company’s production platform in India, Singapore, China and the Caribbean Rim.

Grossman is responsible for developing and implementing the state of Virginia’s international marketing strategy, including the promotion of Virginia products and services to markets worldwide through export sales and the recruitment of international companies to establish business operations in Virginia. Under his guidance, VEDP-International Trade has received national and international acclaim, including in 2008 the nation’s highest export honor, the President’s E-Star Award, for three years of increasing performance.