Export Week Kick-Off: Navigating Export Resources for U.S. Manufacturers
Monday, May 4, 2026 | 11:00am-12:00pm Eastern
Cost: FREE
Location: Virtual (MS Teams)
Discover how U.S. manufacturers can tap into federal export resources, trade counseling, market intelligence, and global connections to expand internationally.
Register Here
Questions? Contact Alexandra.Natale@trade.gov
Register Here
Is your small business new to exporting—or ready to take your international sales to the next level? Join the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) for an informative Export Week webinar celebrating World Trade Month this May.
This session will connect you with trade finance experts who will explain how to access export financing programs, find international buyers, ensure timely payment, and leverage capital resources to expand successfully into global markets.
What You’ll Learn:
- How export financing and credit insurance can help small and mid-sized businesses compete internationally.
- The difference between an asset-based and transaction-based line of credit—and when to use them.
- Ways to secure short-term working capital or long-term financing for fixed assets, business acquisitions, and other growth opportunities.
- How EXIM and SBA financing programs can help fulfill large export purchase orders or government contracts.
- The role of standby letters of credit in supporting bid, performance, and advance payment guarantees with reduced collateral requirements.
Learn from industry professionals who will share practical financing strategies and tools to help your business manage risk, strengthen cash flow, and expand confidently into new global markets.
Speakers:
Richard Foy, Regional Director – Eastern Region – Ex-Im Bank Richard.Foy@exim.gov
Joseph Raycraft, Regional Finance Manager – New England Region, SBA Joseph.Raycraft@sba.gov
Questions? Contact: Michael.Jackson@trade.gov
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Mastering International Distributor Success
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 |9:00am-2:00pm Eastern
Cost: $40
Location: In-Person (East Hartford, Connecticut, USA)
Expand Your Global Reach. Empower Your Distributors. Grow with Confidence.
Join the U.S. Commercial Service and Connecticut District Export Council for a powerful half-day seminar designed to help U.S. manufacturers and exporters find, manage, and grow successful distributor partnerships around the globe. Whether you’re new to international markets or looking to improve existing relationships, this event delivers actionable strategies from global experts.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to identify ideal distributors and evaluate them with smart due diligence
- How to onboard and train partners for peak performance
- Proven strategies for driving long-term sales success
- Real-world solutions to distributor challenges
- Cultural insights that can make—or break—international deals
Questions? Contact: Jacqueline.Torcellini@trade.gov or Anthony.Sargis@trade.gov
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Export Documentation Awareness Training
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 |1:00pm-2:00pm Eastern
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual MS Teams Webinar
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.
What You’ll 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
• INCO Terms overview
• 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
Questions? Contact Kate.Dailey@trade.gov or John.Tracey@trade.gov
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Export Documentation Seminar
Wednesday, May 14, 2026 |8:30am-12:30pm Eastern
Cost: $40
Location: In-Person (Middletown, Connecticut, USA)
Register Here
Please join the U.S. Commercial Service and Connecticut District Export Counsil for this in-person seminar. This seminar will assist Connecticut firms with how to prepare, process and navigate export documentation and compliance.
What You’ll Learn:
• Export documents, their function and preparation; terminology; resources available to exporters
• Common problems with preparation and processing of export documents
• Export Compliance Overview
• Trade.gov resources
Space is limited so please register early! Registration deadline is May 7, 2026 and is on a first-come first serve basis.
Questions? Contact: Jacqueline.Torcellini@trade.gov or Anthony.Sargis@trade.gov
Manufacturing, Marine, Aerospace and Defense: The Trilateral Security Partnership Between Australia, U.K. and U.S. (AUKUS)
Trade deal opportunities in Australia and United Kingdom
May 4 at 1:00pm Eastern
Healthcare Tech: Genomics Omics Tech
Trade deal opportunities in Türkiye, Italy, Greece, Sweden
May 5 at 1:00pm Eastern
Advanced Manufacturing: Robotics & AI
Trade deal opportunities in Japan and South Korea
May 6 at 1pm Eastern
Marine: Tech Port Automation
Trade deal opportunities in India and Brazil
May 7 at 1:00 pm Eastern
Consensus – Miami, Florida (May 5-7, 2026) organized by CoinDesk, attracts 20,000+ attendees (cryptocurrency, blockchain, decentralized AI, and the global regulatory landscape) Contact: Brian.Beams@trade.gov
Xponential – Detroit, Michigan (May 12-14, 2026) organized by AUVSI & MDNA, attracts 10,000 attendees (uncrewed systems, robotics, and the global regulatory landscape) Contact: Christopher.Munoz@trade.gov
Offshore Technology Conference – Houston, Texas (May 4-7, 2026) organized mainly by SPE, attracts 30,000 attendees (Oil and Gas, Digital and Tech solutions) Contact: Cathy.Gibbons@trade.gov
TechEx North America – San Jose, California (May 18-19, 2026) organized by TechEx Event Ltd, attracts 8,000 exhibitors (AI & Big Data, Cyber Security & Cloud, IoT Tech, Digital Transformation, Intel Automation, Data Centers, Edge Computing, Sustainable Tech) Contact: Ludwika.Alvarez@trade.gov
The Trade Deal Access webinar series provides practical, sector-specific guidance on how exporters can navigate and leverage existing trade agreements to expand into international markets. Each thirty-minute session offers expert insights on key opportunities, trade provisions, and actionable strategies designed to help U.S. businesses grow and succeed globally.
Manufacturing, Marine Aerospace and Defense: The Trilateral Security Partnership Between Australia, U.K. and U.S. (AUKUS)
Trade deal opportunities in Australia and United Kingdom
May 4 at 1:00pm Eastern
Healthcare Tech: Genomics Omics Tech
Trade deal opportunities in Türkiye, Italy, Greece, Sweden
May 5 at 1:00pm Eastern
Advanced Manufacturing: Robotics & AI
Trade deal opportunities in Japan and South Korea
May 6 at 1pm Eastern
Marine: Tech Port Automation
Trade deal opportunities in India and Brazil
May 7 at 1:00 pm Eastern
Become a Sponsor Today!
Join us in celebrating Export Week this May! 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 Export Week website with hyperlink to your website
- Logo placement as sponsor on promotional emails
- Social media promotion of Export Week website on CS Channels
For more information, please contact:
Christopher.Munoz@trade.gov orAnthony.Sargis@trade.gov