Building Bridges Global Markets
Building Bridges to Global Markets
The U.S. Commercial Service’s Building Bridges to Global Markets brings no-cost, in-person exporting expertise to your community. Addressing issues most common to diverse businesses seeking international sales expansion, this series of events will introduce reliable contacts, accurate information, and ready-to-use resources that will place you firmly on the road to exporting success.
Join Us! Find a local event near you, or take advantage of other national and international events dedicated to helping businesses expand internationally.
Building Bridges to Global Markets brings no-cost, in-person exporting expertise to your community. Addressing issues most common to diverse businesses seeking international sales expansion, this event will introduce reliable contacts, accurate information, and ready-to-use resources that will place you firmly on the road to exporting success.
Topics Include
- Trade finance & access to capital
- Exporting essentials and available local resources
- Networking with trade experts and supporting organizations
Featured Speakers
- Marisa Lago, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
Agenda
12:00: Registration, Refreshment and Networking
12:45: Program Begins - Introductions and Welcome
12:55: Opening Keynote
1:10: Panel 1: Go Global: Export Technical Assistance Programs/Q&A
1:55: Panel 2: Limit Risk and Access Capital: Trade Finance and Insurance/Q&A
2:40: 360o Degree Support – Local Partners Introduction for Networking Expo
3:00: Networking Expo – Connect with Speakers and Partner Organizations!
3:30: Program Concludes
Participation Information
Date: Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Time: 12:00pm - 3:30pm
Cost: Free
Location: Metro State University
700 East Seventh Street
Saint Paul, MN 55106
Parking: Validated/On-Campus
Metro State Parking Garage
400 Maria Avenue, St. Paul, MN
Questions?
For additional information, please contact: Mathew Woodlee, Director, U.S. Commercial Service, Mathew.Woodlee@trade.gov.
Thank You to Our Sponsor & Partners
Building Bridges to Global Markets brings no-cost, in-person exporting expertise to your community. Addressing issues most common to diverse businesses seeking international sales expansion, this event will introduce reliable contacts, accurate information, and ready-to-use resources that will place you firmly on the road to exporting success.
Building Bridges to Global Markets is an event series organized by the U.S. Commercial Service, as part of our Global Diversity Export Initiative. Designed to connect diverse companies with global business expertise, events are taking place in communities throughout the U.S. We’ve hosted more than 600 diverse businesses at 13 events around the country. Now we’re coming to Kansas City. Join us!
Topics Include
- An understanding of why exporting is a good idea for small business;
- A clear path to the right international trade resources;
- Face-to-face meetings with trade experts to talk about unique business needs;
- Confidence that there ARE easily accessible places to get financing for exports
Agenda
9:00 AM Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:30 AM Opening Remarks
10:15 AM Panel Session: Export Assistance to Reach New Customers in Global Markets
11:00 AM Panel Session: Trade Finance and Access to Capital
12:00 PM Meet the Partners 1:1 Meetings
1:00 PM Program Concludes
Featured Speakers
- Kendee Yamaguchi, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Field, Global Markets
- Timothy Jones, Metropolitan Community College (Invited)
- Drew Felling, Chair, Mid-America District Export Council
- Joshua Kaplan, Director, U.S. Commercial Service – Kansas City
- Ike Nwabuonwu, President, Alpha Energy and Electric
- Jay Kim, CEO, Datalocker
- Melissa Miller, Director, World Trade Center - Kansas City
- Carmen Lopez, Vice President of Lending and Client Services, AltCap
- Aubrey Salazar, Business Development Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration
- Jonathan Brady, Minority/Woman Owned Business Group, U.S. Export-Import Bank
- Darpan Bhatt, Co-President, Bhatt International
Participation Information
Date: Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Time: 9:00am - 1:00pm
Cost: Free - Registration Required
Location: Metropolitan Community College
Penn Valley Education Center
3201 SW Trafficway
Kansas City, MO
Questions?
For additional information, please contact: Joshua Kaplan, Director, U.S. Commercial Service, Joshua.Kaplan@trade.gov.
Thank You to Our Sponsor & Partners
Building Bridges to Global Markets brings in-person exporting expertise to your community. Addressing issues most common to diverse businesses seeking international sales expansion, this event will introduce reliable contacts, accurate information, and ready-to-use resources that will place you firmly on the road to exporting success.
Topics Include
- Trade finance & access to capital
- Exporting essentials and available local resources
- Networking with trade experts and supporting organizations
Featured Speakers
- James Golsen, Deputy Director General - U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service
- Stephen Hightower, President & CEO - Hightowers Petroleum Co.
- Uche Agomuo, President & CEO - Glovon & Clovon Engineering Consulting
- Deborah Dirr, Senior Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service – Cincinnati
- Chris Simpson, Senior Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service – Cincinnati
- Yuki Fujiyama, Director - U.S. Commercial Service - Toledo
- Federico Bevini, Commercial Specialist - U.S. Commercial Service – Milan, Italy
- Aérek N. Stephens, Export Finance Manager, Minority and Women Owned Business & Multiplier Outreach Division, Export-Import Bank of the United States
- Edward Schick - Small Business Administration
- Kathy Marshalek, Director – Ohio Small Business Development Center
- Natalie Burley, Deputy Chief, Financial Programs & Incentives, Minority Business Development Division, Ohio Department of Development
- Cory Speece, Managing Director, Global Advisory & Working Capital Finance, Huntington National Bank
Agenda
11:30 Registration, Networking & Boxed Lunch
12:00: Introductions & Opening Keynote
12:30: Panel: Trade Finance & Access to Capital
1:10: Local Export Success Story
1:45: Panel: Export Assistance to Reach New Customers in Global Markets
2:30: Meet the Panelists & Partners (Informal roundtable discussions w/ attending companies)
3:00: Program Concludes
Participation Information
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2023
Time: 11:30am - 3:30pm
Cost: Free to attend, but registration required by September 11
Location: Huntington Bank Building
525 Vine Street, 23rd (top) Floor
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Parking: Nearby public parking available
- Closest - Fountain Square: myfountainsquare.com/parking
- Additional Parking Options: www.downtowncincinnati.com/park-ride/long-term-parking
Questions?
For additional information, please contact:
Marcia Brandstadt,
Director - U.S. Commercial Service – Cincinnati
Marcia.Brandstadt@trade.gov
Thank You to Our Partners & Sponsors
Building Bridges to Global Markets brings no-cost, in-person exporting expertise to your community. Addressing obstacles most common to diverse businesses seeking international sales expansion, participants will connect with reliable contacts, accurate information, and ready-to-use resources that will place them firmly on the road to exporting success.
Topics Include
- An understanding of why exporting is a growth vehicle for small businesses.
- Exporting essentials and available local resources to smooth your path to the international arena.
- Trade finance & access to capital.
- One-on-one meetings with trade experts and supporting organizations to discuss your unique business needs.
Featured Speakers
- Arun Venkataraman, Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service
- David Dafoe, Owner & CEO, Flavorman and Moonshine University
- Amy Washburn, District Director, Rep. Morgan McGarvey (KY-03)
- Jeff O’Brien, Chief of Economic Development, City of Louisville
- Peggy Pauley, Director, U.S. Commercial Service – Louisville
- Mona Musa, Senior Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service – Louisville
- Brian Miller, Senior Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service – Louisville
- Sara Moreno, Director, U.S. Commercial Service - Lexington
- Yuki Fujiyama, Director, U.S. Commercial Service - Toledo
- Jonathan Brady, Minority and Women Owned Business (MWOB) Outreach Group, US EXIM Bank
- Dana Winston, Small Business Administration
- Will Metcalf, AVP Research and Strategy, University of Louisville
- Chanca “Toni” Sears, Business Coach, Kentucky Small Business Development Centers
- Omar Ayyash, President, World Trade Center Kentucky
- Mary NeCamp, Program Manager/Director of Kentucky’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development
- Panel Session of Historically Underserved Local/Regional Businesses, Now Successful Exporters, to Tell of Their Pathways to Success
Participation Information
Date: Thursday, September 21st
Time: 8:30a.m. – 12:00p.m. (Registration 8:30 a.m. – Continental Breakfast)
Location: Moonshine University, 801 S 8th St Louisville, KY 40203
Cost: Free to attend, but registration required by September 15
Parking: Several parking spaces at venue (spaces are on corner of York and 8th, and ample free street parking south of York on 8th St.)
Questions?
For additional information, please contact:
- Brian Miller, Sr. International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, Louisville, Brian.Miller@trade.gov
Thank You to Our Partners & Sponsors
Moonshine University is our generous host for the program. Their business promotes and serves the craft of distilling and the beverage alcohol industry through comprehensive technical training and business management education, with hands-on learning experience that covers every facet of the craft and the industry, from raw materials sourcing and best manufacturing practices to branding and getting your product into the hands of consumers.
Thank You for Joining Us At Our Recent Programs!
Baltimore, MD | Wilkes-Barre, PA | Jackson, MS | Houston, TX | Cleveland, OH | Phoenix, AZ | Norfolk, VA | Spartanburg, SC | Greensboro, NC | Seattle, WA | Puerto Rico | San Diego, CA | Los Angels, CA
Read the Press From Recent Building Bridges Events
- El Nuevo Dia: Secretario adjunto de Comercio federal busca alentar las exportaciones de Puerto Rico
- El Vocero: Buscan impulsar la exportación en Puerto Rico
- Cleveland.com: Cleveland Export Forum Part of Nationwide Effort to Build Bridges to Global Markets: Arun Venkataraman
- The Clarion Ledger: Venkataraman Encourages More Exporting for Mississippi. Find Out Where We Stand.
- Houston Chronicle: How a Top U.S. Trade Official is Helping Minority-owned Houston Businesses Expand Their Exports
- Latin Opinion: Building Bridges to Markets Global New Initiative to Promote Exports
- Times Leader: Federal Program Encourages Small Businesses to Enter Global Markets
Find Tools & Resources for Diverse Companies
Tap the resources, events, and toolkits available through our Global Diversity Export Initiative and position your firm for international success.
Our global network of experienced trade experts in more than 100 U.S. cities and 80 countries is delivering proven export solutions to help diverse companies identify export opportunities, access financing, connect with international buyers and partners and more.
Featured Resources for U.S. Exporters
