On a much lighter note, how many of my other fellow downtown classmates have seen the new crosswalk the city painted at the corner of 2nd street and Fillmore? If you haven't I highly suggest you stroll on over and happily skip across! Back and forth, back and forth! Just two weeks ago that crosswalk did not exist! And people like me would, Ahem!jaywalk.Ahem! across Fillmore Avenue to make it to the Nursing and Health Innovation buildings for class twice a week. Now I can casually promenade across, looking both ways first mind you, without fear of being mowed down by our crazed motorists, sort of. It's the little things in life, ya know? :D
I have also noticed the green bike lanes that line the eastbound side of Fillmore from 1st street to what looks like 7th st. New bike lanes are always exciting! Not quite sure how they will work since they are painted directly over a regular eastbound lane, but theres only one way to find out! The green lanes pair well with the new green bicycles from the Phoenix bike share program, Grid. Super stoked for that one! I have yet to utilize Grid but since my bike was recently stolen, I just might see what they have to offer.
I am proud to live in downtown Phoenix and that the city is working on approving current public transit options, as well as creating new ones. That is one of the many reasons I chose to live here. For the valley, it is one of the most diverse and walkable/bikeable areas. Even though I own a car, it is important to me to support and live in an area that supports my way of living. Not to mention I absouletly hate driving! So if I have the option of walking, taking the light rail/bus, biking, roller skating, being carried on someones shoulders, or attempting to ride my dog, then I will do it!!!
So get out there, support public transit AND reduce your carbon footprint! What have got to lose besides weight? ;)
Safe travels!
-S
Thursday, February 27, 2014
All Protected Classes say HEYYYY!!!! Not you LGBTQ Arizonans!
SB 1062. We as Arizonans have had this bill shoved down our throats for the past week, and now I am going to really make you vom by discussing it even more. What can I say? First, I am thrilled that the governor has decided to veto this bill. It was the ill conceived and poorly constructed brainchild of one, Ms. Cathi Herrod and the Center for Arizona Policy who has been successfully strong-arming the Arizona legislature in passing their asinine bills all of for the sake of their Christian beliefs. I am not saying I have any issues, well major issues, with Christians. That is the exact opposite, I consider myself a Christian. My issue with Center of Arizona Policy is this…according to their website one of their fundamental beliefs, as stated in their mission statement, is to help "…create an Arizona where religious liberty is affirmed and protected, free from government interference."1 FREE FROM GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE! Correct me if I am wrong, but if that is your mission statement then why would you insert yourself into government business and interfere yourself? I see now, when it's something you want or think you are entitled to then it is perfectly ok for you to turn a blind eye to your own beliefs. That's not hypocritical or un-Christian at all.
Beside the obvious and blatant discrimination it would have allowed toward people of all facets of life, it raises an even bigger question for our great state, that those of different sexual orientations are STILL allowed to be discriminated against legally. Any business is allowed to refuse service to LGBTQ individuals based solely on that alone. There are only three cities in Arizona that have ordinances protecting LGBTQ folks, Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff. It is high time the state recognizes that their are LGBTQ people who reside outside these cities, LOTS who reside outside these cities, and deserve fair and equally treatment. Arizona has allowed its reputation and image to be dragged through the mud one too many times. Now is the time for us to show the country and world that we are accepting of people of all backgrounds, gender, class, race, sexual orientation, and religion and put these silly notions to rest. Sure there are those who say, well this would just be a stepping stone for things like marriage equality, etc. And to that I will say, if you don't like gay marriage, then don't get gay married. You ask the government to stay out and not interfere in your life and beliefs, well I ask you to stay out of mine! The country is changing and changing fast, Arizona. Lets keep ahead of the curve this time and not allow for yet another embarrassing, racist, discriminatory scandal to sully the Grand Canyon State.
That's all, I will get off my soapbox now.
Peace and Love,
-S
Beside the obvious and blatant discrimination it would have allowed toward people of all facets of life, it raises an even bigger question for our great state, that those of different sexual orientations are STILL allowed to be discriminated against legally. Any business is allowed to refuse service to LGBTQ individuals based solely on that alone. There are only three cities in Arizona that have ordinances protecting LGBTQ folks, Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff. It is high time the state recognizes that their are LGBTQ people who reside outside these cities, LOTS who reside outside these cities, and deserve fair and equally treatment. Arizona has allowed its reputation and image to be dragged through the mud one too many times. Now is the time for us to show the country and world that we are accepting of people of all backgrounds, gender, class, race, sexual orientation, and religion and put these silly notions to rest. Sure there are those who say, well this would just be a stepping stone for things like marriage equality, etc. And to that I will say, if you don't like gay marriage, then don't get gay married. You ask the government to stay out and not interfere in your life and beliefs, well I ask you to stay out of mine! The country is changing and changing fast, Arizona. Lets keep ahead of the curve this time and not allow for yet another embarrassing, racist, discriminatory scandal to sully the Grand Canyon State.
That's all, I will get off my soapbox now.
Peace and Love,
-S
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Another day, another dollar! Wait, I'm not getting paid for this!
That's ok though! :) Today was a fun and exciting day for us at the US Commercial Service.
When I got in I found out a 'new' company had contacted us. I use quotes because they are not new in the sense of being a new company, but today was the first day I have heard about them. The company in question is called Gemstone Tile, LLC. They are based out of Kingman, Arizona and make handcrafted turquoise tile for home decor. They mine the turquoise from the Kingman mine. Which surprisingly is the last commercial turquoise mine in North America. Something I had no idea about! That being said they do beautiful work! I highly suggest everyone checking them out! Especially if you are looking for a beautiful, cool alternative to tile work.
So back to what they were looking for. Gemstone Tile contacted us, for the same reasons most companies do. They are looking to expand their company exports. Currently, they export to the United Kingdom, Dubai, and Bahrain. Their email stated that they are looking to export to China. My job was to begin compiling market research on the Chinese luxury market, as well as a list of the top countries the United States and the state of Arizona export gemstones, stone, natural tiles, and there mineral based tile. When we look up the trade statistics for the country and state exports based off whatever the product of the company is I am always so surprised to see who the top countries might be. We have various ways of displaying the data in terms on units exported, weight, size, or monetary value. We usually compile the data and convert it to US dollar amounts to show our clients just how much the US and state export. It is always more then one thinks!
While conducting my research I found out that Chinese consumers spend more on luxury goods than any other country. AND by 2015 they will account for 20% or $27 billion of the global luxury sales! This goes for everything from designer clothes to private planes and yachts! Needless to say I feel that Gemstone Tile is making a smart move wanting to export to China seeing as how their prices start at $645 per square foot and go as high as $2000 per square foot! Which is by far one of the most expensive tile companies in the world.
Today, we spoke with Gemstone Tile and they informed us that they will be attending the Luxury China trade show in Beijing. This is Luxury China's third year of having the trade show. They will have over 300 companies from twenty countries showcasing their high-end goods and services. While assisting them with the proper ways of starting business with the Chinese, we were able to inform them of a huge project the US Commercial Service here in Arizona is working on. Beyond the Border: Arizona Trade Mission to Mexico City and Guadalajara is set for May 2014 and will give Arizona companies the opportunity to meet customers, buyers, distributors, and local business leaders who would be interested in buying and carrying their products. Mexico City is one of the top cities in the world for millionaires and billionaires. Gemstone Tile, was thrilled to here this and signed up on the stop! Which was something none of us thought they would do. So we were all very excited about that.
It all sounds a bit silly when I re-read this, but I find it exciting that I get to be apart of helping local companies expand their business.Which is not only goo for them, but USA as a whole. It helps stimulate the local economy, United States economy, creates jobs, and build better relationships with other countries with trade. I am looking forward to our continued relationship with Gemstone Tile and whatever new Arizona companies looking to expand into the global market.
Fun Fact: Turquoise is the official gemstone of the state of Arizona!
Cheers!
-S
When I got in I found out a 'new' company had contacted us. I use quotes because they are not new in the sense of being a new company, but today was the first day I have heard about them. The company in question is called Gemstone Tile, LLC. They are based out of Kingman, Arizona and make handcrafted turquoise tile for home decor. They mine the turquoise from the Kingman mine. Which surprisingly is the last commercial turquoise mine in North America. Something I had no idea about! That being said they do beautiful work! I highly suggest everyone checking them out! Especially if you are looking for a beautiful, cool alternative to tile work.
So back to what they were looking for. Gemstone Tile contacted us, for the same reasons most companies do. They are looking to expand their company exports. Currently, they export to the United Kingdom, Dubai, and Bahrain. Their email stated that they are looking to export to China. My job was to begin compiling market research on the Chinese luxury market, as well as a list of the top countries the United States and the state of Arizona export gemstones, stone, natural tiles, and there mineral based tile. When we look up the trade statistics for the country and state exports based off whatever the product of the company is I am always so surprised to see who the top countries might be. We have various ways of displaying the data in terms on units exported, weight, size, or monetary value. We usually compile the data and convert it to US dollar amounts to show our clients just how much the US and state export. It is always more then one thinks!
While conducting my research I found out that Chinese consumers spend more on luxury goods than any other country. AND by 2015 they will account for 20% or $27 billion of the global luxury sales! This goes for everything from designer clothes to private planes and yachts! Needless to say I feel that Gemstone Tile is making a smart move wanting to export to China seeing as how their prices start at $645 per square foot and go as high as $2000 per square foot! Which is by far one of the most expensive tile companies in the world.
Today, we spoke with Gemstone Tile and they informed us that they will be attending the Luxury China trade show in Beijing. This is Luxury China's third year of having the trade show. They will have over 300 companies from twenty countries showcasing their high-end goods and services. While assisting them with the proper ways of starting business with the Chinese, we were able to inform them of a huge project the US Commercial Service here in Arizona is working on. Beyond the Border: Arizona Trade Mission to Mexico City and Guadalajara is set for May 2014 and will give Arizona companies the opportunity to meet customers, buyers, distributors, and local business leaders who would be interested in buying and carrying their products. Mexico City is one of the top cities in the world for millionaires and billionaires. Gemstone Tile, was thrilled to here this and signed up on the stop! Which was something none of us thought they would do. So we were all very excited about that.
It all sounds a bit silly when I re-read this, but I find it exciting that I get to be apart of helping local companies expand their business.Which is not only goo for them, but USA as a whole. It helps stimulate the local economy, United States economy, creates jobs, and build better relationships with other countries with trade. I am looking forward to our continued relationship with Gemstone Tile and whatever new Arizona companies looking to expand into the global market.
Fun Fact: Turquoise is the official gemstone of the state of Arizona!
Cheers!
-S
Saturday, February 15, 2014
International Trade Administration-United States Commercial Serivce
Howdy y'all! It's been a crazy couple of weeks for me. Since school and my internship started I have been non-stop! No complaints though, I'd much rather be insanely busy than sitting at home bored. That being said let me give you an introduction about my internship with the United States Department of Commerce.
Within the USDOC there is the International Trade Administration. The job of the ITA is to strengthen and promote free trade for the United States around the globe. The US Commercial Service is a subset of ITA, and that is where I am. So if you were to look at it like a family tree, the US Department of Commerce would be the grandparents, International Trade Administration would be the parents, and Commercial Service would be ITA's child. That being said US Commercial Service assists US companies with foreign buyers across the globe in the exporting of US goods and promotion of US jobs. The US Commercial Service is located in over 160 cities across the world. We work with United States Embassies and Consulates in over 80 countries to help US companies compete in the global market.
As an intern, I assist the International Trade Specialists in my office. I have an array of duties. Just to name a few activities that I have done thus far throughout my time there include:
Within the USDOC there is the International Trade Administration. The job of the ITA is to strengthen and promote free trade for the United States around the globe. The US Commercial Service is a subset of ITA, and that is where I am. So if you were to look at it like a family tree, the US Department of Commerce would be the grandparents, International Trade Administration would be the parents, and Commercial Service would be ITA's child. That being said US Commercial Service assists US companies with foreign buyers across the globe in the exporting of US goods and promotion of US jobs. The US Commercial Service is located in over 160 cities across the world. We work with United States Embassies and Consulates in over 80 countries to help US companies compete in the global market.
As an intern, I assist the International Trade Specialists in my office. I have an array of duties. Just to name a few activities that I have done thus far throughout my time there include:
- Research in policy and regulatory issues in global markets
- Research and analysis on commercial markets throughout the globe
- Accompany trade specialists to meetings with local business owners interested in exporting their goods
- Database management
That's just a sliver of what I do and will be doing during my time as an intern. There is a lot for me to learn and I look forward to the coming weeks.
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