By QINA LIU
qliu@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1613

Edward Arnold joined the Buffalo World Trade Association in 1992 when he was a student pursuing international studies at the University at Buffalo.

More than 16 years later, he's still a member. Arnold, director of credit insurance at M&T Bank, also served as board president of the association in 2001.

"The thing that I got out of it the most is if I ran into a problem - let's say in shipping, for example - I know someone from this group who is one of the best shippers in the area," he said.

Arnold isn't the only one to find value in the association. The BWTA, whose members are all professionals involved in international business, has survived 90 years and has had nearly 80 presidents on its board of directors. Currently 45 companies are represented in the voluntary group, according to Arnold. Members pay an annual fee of $210 and meet monthly from September to May.

The first meeting for 2011-12 is scheduled for 6 to 9:30 p.m., Sept. 8 aboard the Miss Buffalo II cruise ship at the Buffalo Naval and Servicemen's Park. The BTWA will celebrate its 90th anniversary in flapper and zoot suits. Tickets are $45.

"Probably just going back to the time we formed," Arnold said about the event's Roaring '20s theme.

The association was formed in 1921 when Buffalo's main industry was manufacturing. Since then, brokers, shippers, international attorneys, bankers, service organizations and carriers joined in as the City of Buffalo grew. In 1988, it launched World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara - a spin-off that deals with issues of CEOs involved in international business.

Arnold said the group's original members joined for many of the same reasons he and his peers are currently involved: to learn and discuss international issues, as well as ask peers for help.

"If you are an international salesperson, this is a place you can go and ask them about different experiences," Arnold said.

Monthly meetings and seminars are open to non-members. Discussions focus on such issues as customs regulations, the best way to ship a product, how to set up a business appointment and how to handle calls and deal with people from different countries.