OKGIT March 2019 Meeting Summary

The below is a general summary of the events and discussion at the March 2019 OKGIT meeting. It does not represent the official minutes, which will be distributed at a later date.

The meeting opened with an introduction by Shalon Simmons, who will be the featured speaker at the May 2019 OKGIT meeting. Her program at that meeting will discuss the EU General Data Protection Regulation and how it could impact Oklahoma firms. She will also be speaking at the April 3 Oklahoma World Trade Conference on the issue.

Treasurer Randy Kellogg discussed the group’s finances, emphasizing the need for members to please pay if they have not already. He has distributed invoices to members, but those unclear on their status should reach out to him. The OKGIT’s most recent financials were distributed to the group prior to the meeting via email, but if you need another copy please email theokgit@gmail.com.

Interviews for the executive director position were concluded, and the candidate selected will hopefully be in place by May 1. Once the hiring committee selects a candidate, they will notify the OKGIT members via email.

New chair Douglas Price informed of the changes made to the OKGIT Bylaws on three issues:

  • Changing the status of Board Member Emeritus to count in addition to the group’s membership. Emeritus members are non-dues paying members, as their institutional knowledge is extremely valuable to our group’s success.
  • Regular Board member limit has been increased to 50
  • Update date and add annual reminder to review and if necessary, update bylaws

In OKGIT housekeeping news, interim-Executive Director John VanPool requested that members review the OKGIT.com/members page to ensure their profiles are updated. He is cross checking with the updated roster but wants to ensure all information is up to date. Written bios and headshots can be submitted to theokgit@gmail.com.

An order of OKGIT name tags will be put in on March 29, if you need one please email your name and company/employer to theokgit@gmail.com.

International Student Recognition Day is April 3 and the OKGIT is playing a primary sponsorship and organization role under Chair Douglas Price. He is working closely with Rep. Mark McBride, who has spearheaded the event at the legislative level. There are more than 18 legislators attending the event from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Add the event to your calendar here.

The Oklahoma Department of Commerce is planning a Midwestern Association of State Departments of Agriculture meeting in late June, likely June 24-27, more information will be added when available.

Together with USDOC, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture is helping prepare for the upcoming Oklahoma World Trade Conference at MetroTech. Oklahoma Trade Representative in Mexico, Luid Domenech will be attending and will be in OKC on April 2 and Tulsa on April 4 for meetings outside of the WTC.

There are no more spaces available for the ODOC delegation to the Paris Air Show, as 50 people and Governor Kevin Stitt are slated to attend.

ODOC will also not be attending the Offshore Technology Conference this year, but will be at the GasTech Conference in Houston in September. ODOC will also be at the June 19-21 Mexico Petroleum Conference. Contact Jesse Garcia for more information.

Honorary Consul for France in Oklahoma Grant Moak reported that the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics has had its first exchange with a school in France. On March 21, Oklahoma and Amiens, France signed an MOU for future relations.

USDOC’s Ashley Wilson reported that aside from the Oklahoma World Trade Conference, there are a few upcoming events in Oklahoma. One is the Caribbean Road Show on May 7 inside Tulsa City Hall, another is the June 5-6 Access Asia Program with trade experts on Japan, Indonesia and Taiwan also to take place inside Tulsa City Hall.

The Oklahoma World Trade Conference on April 3 has 113 people enrolled and will include the following nine countries and their representatives. While dinner representatives are accounted for, if you or someone you know might be interested in attending a private dinner after the April 2 Oklahoma World Trade Reception at the Skirvin with a trade or consular representative, please reach out to the host. If you don’t know the host, reach out to theokgit@gmail.com.

  • Belgium
  • Canada
  • France
  • Guatemala
  • Japan
  • Mexico
  • South Korea
  • Taiwan
  • United Kingdom