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Bryant’s Global Trade Summit at a volatile moment for international business
Bill Bartholomew speaks with Jason Kelly, director of the Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University, about the 40th anniversary of the Global Trade Summit and why it matters during a period of tariff uncertainty, policy shifts, and supply chain pressure. The conversation focuses on how Bryant is positioning itself as a practical resource for Rhode Island companies that need customized support, not just broad-stroke advice. Kelly also explains Bryant’s new role as the official World Trade Center designee in Rhode Island, and how that designation expands training, international connections, and branding for local businesses.
Key topics
- The 40th anniversary of the Global Trade Summit and why Bryant sees this year as especially timely given global trade disruptionJason Kelly’s background in the private sector, including how World Trade Day first connected him to Bryant and eventually led him to the Chafee Center roleWhy the current trade environment makes the summit more relevant, especially around tariffs, supply chain uncertainty, and international market shiftsWhat Rhode Island businesses need most right now — interdisciplinary support that combines business expertise, academic resources, and practical consultingBryant’s role as a statewide differentiator, with Kelly emphasizing the university’s rare intersection of higher education, economic development, and innovationConference highlights for September 24, including a conversation with Canada’s Consul General Bernadette Jordan and a panel featuring a Blue Economy robotics companyEconomic and technical expertise on the agenda, including a Moody’s economist, an AI panel, logistics experts, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and trade attorneysThe new World Trade Center Rhode Island designation, and how it gives the Chafee Center access to a global network, stronger branding, and more training opportunitiesThe biggest challenges Rhode Island companies are facing, especially access to capital, talent shortages, and the need to manage AI-related disruptionHow the Chafee Center scales customized support, using Bryant’s practicum programs to deliver company-specific consulting through student and faculty teams
Timestamps
(0:00) Why Bryant is revisiting the Global Trade Summit this year
(1:39) Jason Kelly’s connection to Bryant through World Trade Day
(2:36) Why he says this is the right time for the Chafee Center
(4:02) Why Rhode Island businesses need interdisciplinary support
(4:49) Higher education as an economic development asset
(5:42) September 24 summit date and what attendees can expect
(6:16) Canada, tariffs, and international business at the summit
(7:12) Success stories from companies navigating uncertainty
(7:42) Robotics, AI, and the summit’s technology-focused speakers
(8:41) Monica Sattler and leadership through extreme challenge
(9:09) Logistics, customs, and tariff refund issues
(9:38) A day-long training session on September 23
(10:10) What the World Trade Center designation means
(11:09) How the designation expands training and global connections
(12:08) Building Rhode Island’s international business presence
(13:40) What Rhode Island companies are asking for right now
(16:02) Why companies want customized consulting, not generic training
(17:27) The Bryant practicum model and how it scales support
(18:21) Trade missions, innovation labs, and experiential learning
(19:39) Bryant’s regional role in international trade over the next decade
(20:43) Closing thoughts on the summit and Bryant’s impact
Notable quotes
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“This was the most important time to lean into the unique assets that Bryant University offers Rhode Island companies.”
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“Companies no longer wanted that awareness training. What they really needed were customized consulting engagements.”
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“I really would like to hold on to the word regional because I think that that’s our sweet spot.”
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