PORTLAND – The Maine International Trade Center will hold the 21st Maine International Trade Day 2001 conference, “Global Marketplace Solutions,” beginning at noon Thursday, May 3, at the Holiday Inn By The Bay, Portland.

The conference will feature seminars and educational programming to help companies gain access to growing business opportunities. The program will begin with an address by Juan Bueno Torio, subsecretary of Mexico’s Secretaria de Economia and a senior staff member for Mexico President Vicente Fox.

The Mexican-themed dinner will feature an introduction by Gov. Angus S. King and the trade center’s annual awards. The program will conclude with keynote speaker David Brancaccio, host of Public Radio International’s “Marketplace” program.

For information on the conference or registration, contact the University of Southern Maine department of conferences by e-mail at conferences@usm. maine.edu or by phone at 780-5960.