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Looking to expand into international markets?June 19, 2009 KALAMAZOO--Businesses executives looking to broaden their presence in international markets are invited to a free workshop on exporting on Thursday, June 25, at Western Michigan University-Battle Creek. The program, which will be vital to those who wish to update their knowledge of foreign markets to explore new export opportunities, will run from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at WMU-Battle Creek's Kendall Center, 50 West Jackson St.
International trade specialists Tom Maguire and Kendra Kuo and Foreign Service officer Pat McRae will provide insights on the export process in "Growing Your International Markets: The Basics of Exporting and the Exporting Process." Workshop presenters will offer tips on international market research, locating international markets of opportunity, working with distributors and representatives and utilizing attorneys, bankers and freight forwarders to be competitive in export sales. Martha Gabrielse, of JPMorgan Chase and Michigan District Export Council-West, will talk about finance options. "There has never been a better time to export," Maguire says. "The United States has cultivated opportunities for American companies to sell their goods and services around the world. Together with free-trade agreements and lower trade barriers, American companies are well-positioned to increase their bottom line through exporting." Highlighted topics include "Presentation of Low- and No-cost Export Promotion Services Available to Exporters," "Basic Export Strategies" and "Financing and Logistics." The workshop is sponsored by the International Trade Association Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce and WMU's Haworth College of Business with additional support by U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer, Hub International, Michigan District Export Council-West and JPMorgan Chase. U.S. Commercial Service The U.S. Commercial Service is the trade promotion unit of the ITA that concentrates on assisting small and midsize U.S. businesses to sell their products and services globally. The U.S. Commercial Service has more than 200 offices worldwide at embassies and consulates. The Grand Rapids U.S. Export Assistance Center is part of the agency's worldwide network, covering Northern Michigan, West Michigan and most of the Upper Peninsula. For more information on the U.S. Commercial Service, please visit export.gov or fax (616) 458-3564. Registration To register for the exporting program, e-mail Annette Calvert at annette.calvert@wmich.edu. Media contact: Valorie Juergens, (269) 387-5964, valorie.juergens@wmich.edu WMU News |
