SPRINGVILLE — Utah business professionals with varying stakes in international trade met Friday at Neways' Springville headquarters to discuss managing their growing global interests.

The event, sponsored by the World Trade Association of Utah, gave representatives from companies of all sizes a chance to swap ideas and hear from officials at Neways, the Utah County health product and cosmetics company that has grown into a global exporter with operations in 23 countries and $750 million in annual sales.

"Our goal is to provide meaning and substance so that people who attend say, 'I understand better how I could be or should be doing international business,' " said Jason Golly, president of the state trade association.

The WTAU membership ranges from business professionals to students — anyone who has an interest in international trade. The group meets monthly for lunch and presentations on such subjects as international finance and current market conditions.

Golly said the organization provides a crucial service to businesses, one that is sometimes difficult to find.

"(Networking) is very important, and fortunately most other people we know feel the same way," he said. "The trick, though, is finding a forum that actually facilitates making those connections. And that's usually easier said than done."

Golly, who is director of International Business Development at Neways, gave attendees a glimpse at the Neways plan for developing international business.

The plan touched aspects from striking a balance between corporate philosophy and local customs to establishing good community relationships at the grassroots level at corporate headquarters.

"I know it seems like a stretch to say (local relationships) relate directly to international trade, but they do," Golly told the audience. "The world is getting smaller, and I'm sure you've noticed that."

Mac Epps, WTAU vice president and vice president of International Business Development at Zions Bank, said the purpose of the monthly meeting is twofold.

"We try to give (association members) two things: substance — actual knowledge — and networking opportunities," he said.

Those networking and education opportunities are especially important for small business, he added.

"Most companies, especially here in Utah, are small- or medium-size companies," Epps said. "A lot are just getting into the market, and it's absolutely critical for them."

Representatives of Sewell Direct, a small but rapidly growing Internet and computer equipment retailer based in Provo, said the meeting was beneficial to their company.

"It was interesting to see what other companies in Utah County have done to grow, like Neways," Cameron Gibbs said. "They're in a different industry, but there's a lot to learn from them."

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