The ITM WORLDWIDE was launched at the Business School INSEAD outside Paris October 26, 2007. More than 100 small and medium-sized companies from Belgium, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Lithuania, Norway, South Africa, Slovenia and Sweden, trade organisation representatives and officials from European Union and International Trade Center in Geneva were present.
Hasse Karlsson, Swedish Trade Council, and Program Director of ITM Worldwide introduced the ITM Worldwide Concept that originates from Sweden and has been developed together with partners from trade organisations from Greece, Hungary, Norway, Iceland, Lithuania and Slovenia financed by European Commission Program Leonardo da Vinci.
Key note speakers were MR. Philip Williams from International Trade Center in Geneva (United Nations), Professor Albert A. Angerhrn, INSEAD, Professor Per V.Jenster CEIBS in Shanghai and Dr. Fons Trompenaars, Holland.
Mr Jörgen Thelin, Regional Sales Director Americas & International at the Swedish compane Rapid Isaberg, told his story since he graduated from the very first ITM course in Sweden 1994 until today.
Eight International Trade Managers in SMEs who had been nominated gave a short presentation and Svana Helen Björnsdottir from Iceland was given the ITM Worldwide Award 2007.
The Gala Dinner took place at Château de Bourron