October 1 Kick-Off + Trade Talk Tuesdays
Conferences & Trade Shows
Export Documentation & Logistics
Trade Finance Programs
U.S. Government Resources
Manufacturing Success Stories
Become a Sponsor!
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October 1 Kick-Off + Trade Talk Tuesdays
Conferences & Trade Shows
Export Documentation & Logistics
Trade Finance Programs
U.S. Government Resources
Manufacturing Success Stories
Trade Talk Tuesdays – Powering U.S. Manufacturing for Global Growth A Manufacturing Month webinar series by the U.S. Commercial Service spotlighting export opportunities, federal resources, and global trends in key manufacturing sectors.
Manufacturing Month Kick-Off: Navigating Export Resources for U.S. Manufacturers Discover how U.S. manufacturers can tap into federal export resources, trade counseling, market intelligence, and global connections to expand internationally. Hear from the Export-Import Bank of the United States; International Trade Administration divisions, including Industry & Analysis, the Advocacy Center, SelectUSA, the Supply Chain Center, and the U.S. Commercial Service; the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership; and the Small Business Administration.
Register Here
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Trade Talk Tuesdays | Building Local, Selling Global: Foreign Direct Investment and Supplier Support to Boost U.S. Exports
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Trade Talk Tuesdays | Exporting Innovation: U.S. Composites in Advanced Manufacturing, Defense & Automotive
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Trade Talk Tuesdays | AI, Robotics, and Automation at the Frontier of the Manufacturing Industry
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Trade Talk Tuesdays | Global Mining Equipment and Machinery Export Opportunities
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Conferences & Trade Shows
Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting (AUSA) | October 13- 15, 2025 | Washington D.C. AUSA has teamed up with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S. Commercial Service (USCS) through the Trade Event Partnership Program (TEPP) to bring international buyers to this year’s Annual Meeting. This is your chance to connect face-to-face with Commercial Specialists from U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide—your gateway to new markets—and meet qualified buyer delegations eager to do business with U.S. companies. If you’re ready to expand your exports, grow your international reach, and make high-value global connections, stop by the U.S. Commercial Service Booth #6000.
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–––––––––––––––––––––––– NVBDC National Veteran Matchmaking Conference | October 29- 30, 2025 | Spartanburg, South Carolina NVBDC hosts the annual National Veteran Business Matchmaking Conference, a premier event dedicated to connecting veteran-owned businesses with corporate buyers and supplier diversity professionals. The conference features networking opportunities, breakout learning sessions, panel discussions, and one-on-one matchmaking meetings. A notable highlight is the Veteran Marketplace, where veteran entrepreneurs can showcase their products and services. The event also includes an awards ceremony recognizing corporate members’ and veteran businesses’ contributions to supporting veteran-owned businesses.
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ACM’s Aerospace Alley® Tradeshow | October 30, 2025 | Hartford, Connecticut
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Export Documentation & Logistics Sessions
Navigating Trade Costs for U.S. Exporters: Strategies, Tools & Compliance Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025 Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm ET Cost: $25 Location: Virtual (MS Teams) Register Here
Join the U.S. Commercial Service and Connecticut District Export Council for this essential webinar to learn how U.S. exporters can recover duties and streamline customs processes by understanding tariff management best practices and programs.
What You’ll Learn:
How to recover duties through the Duty Drawback program Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) uses and benefits for US companies Best practices for HTS classification & verification How to take full advantage of Free Trade Agreements The impact of INCOTERMS on your pricing, risk, and responsibilities Questions? Contact: Anthony.Sargis@trade.gov
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From Policy to Practice: Building a Practical Export Compliance Program Turning Your EMCP Manual Into Actionable Procedures Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025 Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm ET Cost: $25 Location: Virtual (MS Teams) Register Here
Join the U.S. Commercial Service and Connecticut District Export Council. Developing and implementing an Export Management and Compliance Program (EMCP) can be a major challenge for U.S. businesses. While drafting a comprehensive compliance manual is a strong first step, bringing that manual to life—especially across multiple sites, products, or ERP systems—often proves much harder.
This webinar will help you:
Understand the key components your EMCP should include Learn practical implementation strategies across different departments or facilities Align your compliance efforts with the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Avoid common pitfalls and strengthen accountability within your organization Keep your compliance program relevant, actionable, and auditable Questions? Contact: Anthony.Sargis@trade.gov
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Export Documentation Awareness Training Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm ET Cost: FREE Location: Virtual (MS Teams) Register Here
Please join the U.S. Commercial Service and Mohawk Global Logistics for an export documentation awareness webinar. This webinar will assist businesses to understand the documents used for an export transaction, their function and preparation, terminology, and resources available to exporters.
Attendees will learn: • The Role of the international freight forwarder • The differences between a Freight Forward and customs broker • HS Codes/Schedule B Numbers, importance of using current codes • Shipper’s Letter of Instruction • Parties to the international transaction • AES/ACE filing • Preparing export documents when an export license is required Audience - This webinar is intended for companies new to international sales and shipment logistics and employees of exporters new to international sales and shipment logistics responsibilities. Thank you to our presenters: Mohawk Global Logistics
Trade Finance Webinar Series
Manufacturing Financial Resources Panel – Tips & Best Practices Date: Thursday, October 2, 2025 Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm ET Cost: FREE Location: Virtual (MS Teams) Register Here
Learn from experts about the various manufacturing initiatives and the sources of financial support that are available to the manufacturing sector. Join this webinar to learn about the Made in America Manufacturing Initiatives of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Export-Import Bank of the U.S, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and how the business advisory services of the Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) can help your business to start, grow and thrive.
Opening Remarks: David Bolls, Associate Administrator, SBA Office of Manufacturing and Trade – TBD
Moderator: Miguel Penaloza, Finance Manager, Office of Manufacturing and Trade
Panelists:
Denise Whitford, MBA, CGBP, Business Advisor, CT SBDC
Richard Foy, Regional Director Eastern Region, Export Import Bank of U.S.
David Brown, Area Loan Specialist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development-TBD
Joseph Raycraft, Finance Manager, New England Region, SBA
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Manufacturing Finance – A Deeper Dive into the lending programs Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025 Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm ET Cost: FREE Location: Virtual (MS Teams) Register Here
Join us to learn about the available government-supported lending programs that support growing manufacturers financing needs. Learn about the available short-term and long-term financing options, eligibility requirements and how to apply for financing. Webinar will cover ExIm Bank’s Make More In America Initiative, SBA’s Working Capital & 504 Programs, and USDA Business & Industry Program for business located in rural areas.
Moderator: Mark Klein, ExIm Bank -TBD
Panelists:
Richard Foy, Regional Director Eastern Region, Export Import Bank of U.S.
David Brown, Area Loan Specialist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development-TBD
Joseph Raycraft, Finance Manager, New England Region, SBA
Questions? Contact: Brian.Beams@trade.gov and Anthony.Sargis@trade.gov
Spotlight on U.S. Government Export Resources U.S. Commercial Service (CS), part of the International Trade Administration The U.S. Commercial Service (CS) is the trade and investment promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA). With a network of 100+ offices across the U.S. and in American embassies and consulates in more than 75 international markets, its mission is to strengthen the U.S. economy and help create jobs by expanding U.S. exports and facilitating inward investment into the United States. It is an export solutions provider, leveraging global connections to help businesses find partners and customers, assist with strategic planning, and provide foreign market and industry intelligence, website globalization support, and assistance in addressing trade issues.
The International Trade Administration, in partnership with multiple federal agencies, can help your business grow global sales! Please see below to learn more about what we do and how we can help and connect to export promotion resources.
Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) The Manufacturing Extension Partnership is dedicated to serving small and medium-sized manufacturers. There are 51 MEP Centers in every state and Puerto Rico with over 1,400 trusted advisors and experts that provide U.S. manufacturers with the resources they need to succeed. MEP Centers work with manufacturers to implement lean and process improvement principles, adopt ISO and quality standards, develop new products, find new clients and diversify markets, adopt new technology, enhance value within supply chains, and more. Please see our service offerings below and information on how to contact your local MEP Center.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) SBA’s Office of International Trade helps small businesses go global by providing business intelligence, grants to find customers overseas, and financing to support international sales.
Looking for information to help you get started? SBA’s Trade Tools for International Sales website includes information on developing an export plan, identifying target markets, U.S. trade agreements, and much more. You can also call SBA’s International Trade Hotline toll-free (855) 722-4877 or email your trade issue to international@sba.gov . Are you concerned about the costs of exporting? The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) provides grants to cover the costs associated with entering and expanding into international markets. Find out if your state or territory is participating . Having trouble securing capital to meet your small business exporting needs? SBA’s export loans can be used for working capital to finance foreign sales or for fixed assets, helping you better compete globally. Connect with your regional export finance manager . Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) EXIM is the nation’s official export credit agency with the mission of supporting American jobs by facilitating U.S. exports. U.S. small businesses play a critical role in creating and supporting American jobs, and nearly 90% of EXIM transactions directly benefit small businesses. EXIM provides export finance solutions to empower these businesses, including companies with fewer than 100 employees or those that have been traditionally underserved, such as minority-owned and woman-owned companies. To achieve this, EXIM offers two primary products: Export Credit Insurance and Working Capital Loan Guarantees, which are designed to help U.S. companies mitigate risk and access working capital so they can confidently export their goods and services worldwide. For more information, please visit EXIM’s website .
U.S. Census Bureau The Census Bureau is the official source for U.S. export and import statistics and regulations governing the reporting of exports from the U.S. to other countries. The Census Bureau provides extensive outreach and education to its customers on understanding Foreign Trade Regulations, classifying commodities, using the Automated Export System, and utilizing trade data. USA Trade Online allows users to obtain monthly and annual trade statistics at the district and port levels, as well as state exports and imports. For more information, please visit www.census.gov/trade or call (800) 549-0595 and select the appropriate option. In addition to trade data, we also provide a wide range of domestic data, such as payroll, establishments, expenditures, and much more on the manufacturing industry.
Manufacturer Makes $3.2 Million Export Sale and Hires More Skilled Laborers After receiving in-depth export counseling from the U.S. Commercial Service, ALKAR felt confident about returning to the Mexican market and closed a deal with the Mexican firm worth $3.2 million. ALKAR hired several skilled laborers to support the new exports to Mexico.
Read Alkar’s Story
Automotive Textile Producer Driven to Succeed in India U.S. Commercial Service offices in India and Columbia, South Carolina launched a regional International Partner Search to identify Indian firms that were interested in purchasing American Foam and Fabric’s (AFF) products. The U.S. Commercial Service team then arranged several virtual meetings between AFF and these potential Indian partners.
Read AFF’s Story
Crary Industries Reels in Brazilian Business Partner With the help of an International Partner Search (IPS) and virtual appointments, Crary reached out to thirteen different Brazilian potential partners to gather feedback and seek partners that could represent Crary’s equipment in the Brazilian market.
Read Crary’s Story
Manufacturing Month Become a Sponsor Today! Join us in celebrating Manufacturing Month this October! The U.S. Commercial Service is hosting a series of dynamic export sessions throughout the month, these sessions, led by experts from both the private and public sectors, will cover a variety of tradecraft programs and industry-specific opportunities.
As a sponsor, you will gain visibility and recognition among a broad audience, ranging from new-to-export businesses to seasoned exporters. Many of these informative sessions are offered free of charge, providing a unique platform to showcase your support for global trade.
We invite you to be a part of this exciting event by sponsoring and joining us in promoting the growth of global commerce!
$1000-level sponsorships are available
Sponsorship Includes Logo on Manufacturing Month website with hyperlink to your website Logo placement as sponsor on promotional emails Social media promotion of Manufacturing Month website on CS Channels Co-brand webinar on topic sponsor is an expert in if relevant to U.S. Exporters For more information, please contact: Christopher.Munoz@trade.gov or Anthony.Sargis@trade.gov
