Salvin Dental Specialties, Inc. designated Gunda Knese, who received the award on behalf of Bob Salvin. This award recognizes the company that has contributed most to North Carolina 's international trade stature over the past year. The award criteria include annual growth of export sales, percentage of export sales to corporate sales, development of international markets, and technical product innovation. Since its beginning in a “room over a garage,” Salvin Dental has become a highly efficient global company with over $6.5 million in sales in 2002. Over the past five years Salvin Dental has increased its gross sales by 420%— over 32% a year for the past three years. Salvin Dental has achieved success as both an importer and exporter to Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America, as well as North America where 10% of its sales are to Canada.

Commissioner Cobb also presented the 2003 Governor's International Community Award to BB&T International Services. Paul Baity and Gunther Bienert with BB&T accepted the award on behalf of John Morton. BB&T, the oldest bank in North Carolina, is committed to providing sophisticated international trade services to the small-to-medium sized exporters that make up the largest percentage of the state’s export market. Nationally recognized as among the top “small business-friendly” banks by the Small Business Administration, BB&T provides education and training to large textile and furniture manufacturers as well as to its more traditional customer base. BB&T has been active with Central Piedmont Community College International Business School, where SVP John Morton assists with curriculum development.