Global Diversity Export Initiative Events
Featured Events
The U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, organizes trade programs and events to support minority businesses interested in exporting.
The U.S. Commercial Service’s 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 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.
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. In 2024, we’re teaming up with some of our GDEI Strategic Partners to bring the Building Bridges to Global Markets program to the following annual conferences:
- American Indian Reservation Summit | Las Vegas, NV | March 11-14
- U.S. Hispanic Chamber Legislative Summit | Washington, DC | April 22-24
- USPAACC CelebrAsian Business Conference | Atlanta, GA | May 29-31
- National Black Business Conference | Atlanta, GA | August 21-24
Going Global in Saudi Arabia for Women in Business: a 3-webinar Series
Join the U.S. Commercial Service Global Diversity Export Initiative & IBT Online for a series of three informative webinars that will get you ready to do business in the Saudi Arabian market.
Dates & Registration Information
Session 1:
Date: Thursday, May. 9th, 2024
Time: 11:30AM ET | 8:30AM PT
Session 2:
Date: Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024
Time: 1:00PM ET | 10:00AM PT
Session 3:
Date: Wednesday, June 12th, 2024
Time: 11:30AM ET | 8:30AM PT
U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce’s CelebrASIAN Business + Procurement Conference 2024
At the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce’s CelebrASIAN Business + Procurement Conference 2024, you’ll learn from industry leaders and innovators, make new connections, gain customers, and grow your business and professional network.
Join the U.S. Commercial Service at CelebrASIAN 2024 for Building Bridges to Global Markets
Date: May 31, 2024 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Location: The Hotel at Avalon, Alpharetta, Georgia
Learn more about exporting and access to capital in an informational session during the conference. Meet our local exporting experts get reliable contacts, accurate information, and ready-to-use resources that will place you firmly on the road to exporting success. Open to all
Register for CelebrASIAN 2024
2024 Building Bridges: Women in Global Trade
2024 Building Bridges: Women in Global Trade will connect U.S. woman business leaders with insights, information, and resources designed to build confidence and business acumen in the global trade environment.
Join the U.S. Commercial Service and the NEW Women’s Business Center for Building Bridges: Women in Global Trade!
Date: June 13, 2024 | 10:00am to 1:30pm
Location: NEW Women’s Business Center, 7500 Alabama Ave, Canoga Park, CA 91303
You’ll hear high-level insights and best practices from the NEW Women’s Business Center and International Trade Administration officials and guest speakers on the state of global trade for women-led businesses worldwide. During the meetings and information-packed sessions, federal trade organizations, local trade resource organizations, and successful exporters will share guidance on how to export, how to finance, and how to find tools you need to succeed internationally.
Register Now
Exporting Home Latin America - July – September 2024
An innovative program leveraging the U.S. Commercial Service worldwide network and the power of the Latin American Diaspora network to help all U.S. businesses - including U.S. Hispanic-led enterprises - succeed in the region.
Registration Coming Soon
More information coming soon.
South Africa Personal Care Opportunities
This initiative aims to help U.S. cosmetics and personal care companies build capacity and access market opportunities in South Africa.
Opportunities will be open to all U.S. businesses in the sectors and are designed particularly to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the African diaspora and underserved communities, including African American, woman, and minority owned businesses.
Pro Beauty Expo in Johannesburg, South Africa: U.S. cosmetics and personal care companies will have the opportunity to participate in-person at this annual show.
More information coming soon.
National Veteran Matchmaking Conference
The annual signature conference will host the largest gathering of Certified Service Disabled and Veteran-Owned Businesses and will be held live in Michigan, with a location TBD.
The National Veteran Matchmaking Conference and Vets Night Out will provide insights through a diverse and dynamic group of keynote speakers and panelists to help navigate the procurement process and provide updates on the industry’s current state.
The Annual Conference will include Vets Night Out, where corporations and Veteran business owners network on a more informal basis and will feature a special Guest Speaker.
GDEI Trade Mission to the Caribbean Region
Focused on expanding export opportunities for diverse businesses in industries with growing potential in the Caribbean region. Mission will include the “Opportunities for Minority-Led Businesses in the Caribbean Region Conference” in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on November 17-18.
Date: November 17-22, 2024
Application Information
GDEI Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia
The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA), is organizing a Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI) Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia from December 8-9, 2024. Connect with opportunities in the Middle East by participating in the planned trade mission to Saudi Arabia. This mission will connect diverse businesses across best prospect industries with opportunities in Saudi Arabia.
Who should attend?
This mission is focused on expanding export opportunities to U.S. small and medium-sized businesses that are founded, led, operated, or owned by women from industries with growing potential in Saudi Arabia. The mission is horizontal, with various sectors represented, based on best prospects for U.S. companies in Saudi Arabia.
Best prospect sectors include:
- Education/Vocational Training
- Healthcare
- Information and Communication Technology (e.g., e-commerce, HealthTech, financial technology and AI)
- Infrastructure (e.g., project management and architecture)
- Aerospace, Defense, and Security
- Consumer Goods (e.g., beauty and wellness)
- Energy Transition and Renewable Energy
- Transportation and Logistics
- Travel, Tourism and Entertainment
- Waste Management and Water
Recruitment and consideration will be extended to all export-ready U.S. companies, including small businesses, trade associations and other exporting organizations that meet the established criteria for participation in the mission. The trade mission is open to U.S. firms already doing business in Saudi Arabia who are seeking to expand their market share and to those U.S. firms new to these markets.
GDEI Events: More Ways to Engage
By signing up for updates on GDEI Event Updates, you will receive email updates regarding upcoming trade events, webinars, and other educational opportunities and programs for companies interested in expanding internationally.
If you missed one of our key events, you can view selected recordings below.
Locate Additional Events Targeted to Your Needs
See our full event calendar. Attend a local event to connect with experts to learn more about exporting. Find a U.S. or overseas trade event to find potential partners through our matchmaking programs!
Additional Assistance
