OREM, Utah — Miles Hansen, president and CEO of World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah), and Astrid S. Tuminez, president of Utah Valley University (UVU), announced a new alliance today that will open a WTC Utah office on the UVU campus in Orem, providing Utah County companies with direct access to global business expertise and services. The office will be staffed by a full-time employee and UVU students under the direction of the Salt Lake office.

“The World Trade Center Utah partnership aligns perfectly with the university’s Vision 2030 plan,” President Tuminez said. “Part of the plan is to strengthen community, workforce, and economic development partnerships. This alliance is allowing us to come together to create value for businesses and students.”

“The collaboration between WTC Utah and UVU positions Utah as the crossroads of the world, ” said Aaron Starks, vice president of global business services for WTC Utah. “The opening of our new office enables even more Utah companies to have direct access to the expertise and services they need to compete and win.”

International trade supports nearly one in every four jobs in the state, with small businesses accounting for 85% of Utah’s exporters. The alliance between WTC Utah and UVU will connect Orem companies with global opportunities, grow the state’s international presence, and provide WTC Utah with a physical foothold in an area known for technology business growth. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Utah County led all counties in total population growth, creating an ideal location to harness international expansion.  

With interest in assisting Utah companies as they increase their international sales, Larry H. Miller Group, Kirton McConkie, Facebook, World Trade Center Utah, and the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce are donating $50,000 in grant funding to help companies cover the cost of the global services. Based on a company's current international experience, those who utilize these services will begin by developing a strategy, leveraging services such as website development and global logistics, or connecting directly with partners abroad through matchmatching.

Having recently benefited from the resources offered by WTC Utah and UVU, Jennifer Mitchell, founder and CEO of Natura Solve, is anticipating up to $900 million per year in international revenues. “I feel much more confident as an owner now that we will have the correct information and the support of an experienced team,” Mitchell shared. With a new website and international branding concepts in place, the Utah-based company is expanding into Dubai, India, and Peru.

For more information about the partnership between World Trade Center Utah and Utah Valley University or how to utilize global business services, please visit wtcutah.com/gbsor contact WTC Utah’s Aaron Starks at astarks@wtcutah.com.