OKGIT May 2023 Organizational Updates

Below is a general summary of past and upcoming events and general information provided for the membership due to the cancelation of the regularly scheduled May meeting.

Treasurer Report

A Financial Report is included on the last page of this newsletter with updates regarding the finances for March and April. A couple of points to note are while our net balance has reduced due to the expenses of the Consular Trade Summit event in April, we have roughly $7000 in accounts receivable for both committed sponsorship contributions and event reconciliation costs that were shared with the OK District Export Council. Some expenses will be incurred for our upcoming off-site session and lunch. The expectation is that these costs will remain under $1000 total.

The Oklahoma Business Roundtable funding request was submitted on May 8. It included a request for support for the 2024 Consular Trade Summit ($16,250) as well as a separate request for support to put on receptions for up to three visiting delegations (total request of $7,500) during fiscal year 2023-24 (7/1-6/30FY).

Thank you to those members who have paid their dues this year! We have received dues from 75% of dues paying members. As a reminder, per our bylaws, members who have yet paid their dues may incur a lapse in membership. Contact Andrew Ranson for further questions regarding the finances of the organization.

Marketing Report

The OKGIT ran a marketing campaign on LinkedIn and Facebook for the Oklahoma World Trade Conference and Reception with the Oklahoma District Export Council on April 5. The total costs for these ads included $148.36 on LinkedIn with an average reach of 9,534 people and $166.14 on Facebook with 64 link clicks and a reach of 218 people.

U.S. Department of Commerce- Commercial Service (USDOC)

The U.S. Department of Commerce worked with the District Export Council and OKGIT to put on Consular Summit and 40th Annual Oklahoma World Trade Conference-Workforce on April 5. Select USA also took place on May 1-5. For more information regarding these events, contact Marcus Verner.

Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC)

The Select USA Summit in Washington DC was last week. The Governor met with multiple businesses and dignitaries. Governor Stitt and UK Trade minister Nigel Huddleston also signed an MOU at the UK Embassy in DC last month. The agreement

is focused on working together to pursue renewable energy and agriculture projects. Many thanks to our Honorary Consul Rodger Randle for helping us with this!

The Mexican Consulate in Oklahoma will celebrate hold their grand opening on May 20. The event will be by invite only. In June, ODOC will participate in the Paris Airshow.

Select Oklahoma

The Select Oklahoma April meeting in Muskogee included a tour of the Muskogee port. Site selection consultant GLS provided the presentation and talked about the ways Oklahoma shows up in national site searches for industrial companies. The May meeting included announcements about some changes at OK Department of Commerce, including the departure of Executive Director Brent Kisling.

Select OK Conference on Economic Development will take place on August 28 in Oklahoma City. They are currently looking for sponsors and attendees. Anyone interested in attending or sponsoring may contact Jessika Leatherbury from Select Oklahoma.