NOVEMBER EVENTS - 2009
November 9, 2009: Chicago ExporTeams & Doing Business with
Serbia - Rolling Meadows, IL
The Serbian-American Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, the International Business Club,
Agrobanka - the Serbian Diaspora Bank, and the U.S. Commercial
Service Illinois, is hosting "Chicago ExporTeams & Doing
Business with Serbia, on Monday, November 9, 2009 from 9:30 AM -
2:30 PM at The Meadows Club, 2950 W. Golf Road, Rolling Meadows,
IL. Congresswoman Melissa Bean (IL-08) will be the keynote
speaker. This event will focus on trade opportunities with Serbia
and it will also serve as the launch of the new Chicago
ExporTeams Initiative which was designed to share information and
to encourage collaboration among the organizations in the
Chicagoland area that offer assistance to U.S. companies that are
doing business internationally. The fee is $35 for members of the
Serbian-American Chamber of Commerce, the Chicagoland Chamber of
Commerce, and the International Business Club; $50 for
non-members. Please click here for the program agenda and registration
information.
November 10, 2009: Exports Live! Real Deals/Real Profits -
Chicago
An interactive seminar created by six federal agencies to
demonstrate how local businesses can successfully leverage
government export assistance to expand sales of U.S. goods and
services in foreign markets and increase their bottom lines. The
eight-city "Exports Live!: Real Deals, Real Profits" seminar
series will review strategies and partnerships used by local
small and medium-size businesses that have already discovered how
to increase profitability through exporting. Export-Import Bank
Chairman and President, Fred P. Hochberg will be among the
featured speakers. The seminar will include presentations and Q
& A sessions by successful small-business exporters that have
benefitted from export services and solutions provided by
federal, state and local trade organizations. Representatives of
these organizations also will be on the program and available
later in the day to offer one-on-one sessions. Participating
agencies include: Export-Import Bank of the U.S.; U.S. Department
of Commerce; U.S. Trade Development Agency; U.S. Treasury; Small
Business Administration; Overseas Private Investment Corp.; and
U.S. Department of Energy. 8:00am - 3:30pm. Fee: $99; after
October 26: $129. Fee includes light breakfast and lunch. The
Fairmont Chicago, 200 North Columbus Drive, Chicago. Direct
recipients of this e-mail may enter the code "Real" for 50%
reduction in registration fee. For details and registration,
please see. For more information, call 888.966.2009
or e-mail stephen.maroon@exim.gov .
November 10, 2009: NAFTA Certificate and Rules of Origin -
Effingham, IL
This seminar will discuss Schedule B numbers, Advanced Rulings,
NAFTA Rules of Origin, Preference Criteria, Regional Value
Content Calculations, and Completion of the NAFTA Certificate of
Origin. The speakers are Jim Foley-Director of the International
Trade Center and Beatriz Poloney-NAFTA Trade Specialist. Program
is sponsored by the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at
Bradley University, US Commercial Service-Peoria, International
Trade Center at Kaskaskia College, Southern Illinois
University-Edwardsville, and the Small Business Administration.
8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Thelma Keller Convention Center in
Effingham, 1202 North Keller Drive, Effingham. Fee: $65. For
agenda, speaker information and registration, please see. E-mail questions to shari.stout@mail.doc.gov .
November 11, 2009: The European Bank for Reconstruction &
Development: Open For Business! - Chicago
First Vice President Varel Freeman of the EBRD, London, will give
this special breakfast briefing at Baker & McKenzie LLP in
Chicago. Mr. Freeman will address the EBRD’s response to the
current economic crises; the lack of capital in the 30 markets in
the region; opportunities for U.S. companies in EBRD
procurements; as well as fielding questions regarding the most
active EBRD Countries – Russia, the Ukraine and Georgia.
Sponsoring organizations include the U.S. Commercial Service, the
International Trade Association of Greater Chicago, the Illinois
District Export Council, and the Organization of Women in
International Trade – Chicago Chapter. Presentation by Varel
Freeman, First Vice President, EBRD, London. Also present will
be: Gilles Mettetal, EBRD Director for Agribusiness; Sanford
Owens, of the U.S. Department of Commerce Commercial Service EBRD
Business Liasion Office, and Alison Kutler, Director of the U.S.
Department of Commerce Advocacy Office. Time: 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Venue: 130 East Randolph Street, Suite 3900, Chicago.
Registration is $25 for members of sponsoring organizations and
$35 for non-members. Make reservations by calling the ITA/GC at
773-725-1106 or by email at rsvp@itagc.org .
November 12-13, 2009: Seeking Electronic
Systems/Components for Autos: Opportunities in Germany -
Chicago
European automobile manufacturers are looking for new U.S.
original equipment (OE) automotive parts and systems suppliers.
Representatives from Volkswagen approached Commercial Specialist
Paul Warren-Smith, from the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt, to help
them identify new U.S. suppliers. Specialist Warren-Smith has
been involved in the European automotive industry for 30 years.
He will be bringing a team of OE engineering agencies that deal
with global automobile manufacturers to the midwest. The Chicago
stop is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12 and Friday, Nov. 13,
2009. Please find below details of the highly qualified
organizations that will be available for meetings in Chicago. A
look at their websites should help to determine which company
could suit your needs:
- Wolfsburg AG, Germany: www.izb-online.com/bin/php/frontend/index.php3
- Schulze & Partner, Belgium: www.schulzepartner.com
- Fractal Technologies, Germany: www.fractal-technologies.de
- Global Alliance Automotive SA, Switzerland: www.ga-automotive.com
U.S. exporters interested in meeting any of the above companies, click on the following to register. Questions: Robin Mugford, Commercial Service Libertyville by phone at 847-327-9082 or by e-mail at robin.mugford@mail.doc.gov . Appointments will be approximately one hour and made on a first-come-first served basis. They will take place at the Commerical Service Chicago office at 200 W. Adams, Suite 2450, Chicago, IL beginning at 8:30 AM.
November 16, 2009 - March 15, 2010: Trade Winds 2010: The Americas - Webinar Series on Exporting to South America
- Monday, November 16, 2009 Exporting to South America - Best Prospects in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela
- Wednesday, December 16, 2009 Doing Business in Brazil - Financial and Legal Considerations
- Friday, January 15, 2010 Exporting to Central America - Best Prospects in Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala
- Monday, February 8, 2010 Doing Business in Brazil – Negotiation and Partner Agreements
- Monday, March 15, 2010 Exporting to North America/Caribbean - Best Prospects in Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago
The Americas regions of the world encompass the fastest growing economic partners of the United States. Many experts forecast this growth continuing over the next few years. Position your business to take advantage of this growth by attending the complete Trade Winds 2010: The Americas Webinar Series and learn more about which markets offer the most lucrative opportunities for your products or services. Each must-take webinar is designed for new and experienced exporters to gain knowledge of the export opportunities, financing options and best prospects in a specific region, as well as to understand cultural differences, economic conditions and technological capabilities of potential partners. For more information contact Diego.Gattesco@mail.doc.gov .
Venue: Your Computer,
Time: 10:00AM-11:00AM CST,
Cost: $45 per company for each webinar ($225 per company
for entire series).
Learn more/register: http://www.buyusa.gov/westvirginia/twws.html
November 18 - December 2, 2009: A Basic Guide to
Exporting - Webinar Series
Learn valuable skills for growing your business by selling to
international buyers. Based on the popular, newly-updated in 2008
Department of Commerce book, "A Basic Guide to Exporting",
register now for one or the complete series of seven interactive
and authoritative sessions. $40 per webinar. Register now for two
or more webinars and get a complimentary copy of the official
guide to exporting.
- Nov 18, 2009 @ 1:00-2:00pm CDT: Understanding Documentation -Click here to register
- Dec 02, 2009 @ 1:00-2:00pm CDT: Protecting Your Intellectual Property Rights - Click here to register.
November 19, 2009: U.S.-India Trade and Investment Business
Seminar - Chicago
In conjunction with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s visit to
Washington D.C. to meet with President Obama, the first state
visit for the new administration, The Chicago Council on Global
Affairs and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) are organizing
a Business Seminar on "US-India Trade and Investment." The
program is cosponsored by the U.S. Commercial Service and the
Consulate General of India in Chicago. The program will be
keynoted by Sam Pitroda, who is an Advisor to Prime Minister on
Infrastructure, Innovation and Information. The program will
include Three Sessions that will discuss US-India opportunities
for business partnerships and collaboration in manufacturing and
green energy. The seminar will be attended by US business
executives and an India business delegation, led by CII’s
Director General. The delegation will be comprised of 15-20
senior business executives from major firms in India. The
executives are traveling to meet with US businesses and explore
opportunities of trade investment and collaboration. 7:30
am Registration; 8:00am – 10:30am Program. Fee: Complimentary;
includes light breakfast. InterContinental Chicago, 505
North Michigan Avenue. For Delegation list click here. For details and registration,
click here. For questions, please
contact Erik Brejla of CCGA at 312-821-7527.
November 19, 2009: Hong Kong - A Premier Intermodal Logistics
Hub – Lombard, IL
Join a panel of policy makers and business leaders from Hong
Kong’s logistics industry to learn more about the dynamics of
Hong Kong as a regional logistics center. Find out what new
developments are in place to help enhance your international
trade efforts with Hong Kong and the rest of Asia as markets
emerge from the global economic downturn. Sponsored by the Hong
Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and The Traffic Club, and
supported by the U.S. Commercial Service - Chicago. The seminar
session will be followed by the Chicago Traffic Club Executive
Luncheon Series featuring keynote speaker, Mr Michael E.
Uremovich, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pacer
International who will speak on developments in the U.S. Freight
& Inter-modal Industry. Register with HKTDC by phone at
312-726-4515 or email at Chicago.office@hktdc.org ($35
for Seminar, $45 for Luncheon, or $70 for both).
November 23-24, 2009: Midwest Clean Tech 2009 -
Chicago
Based on the success of the first Clean Tech event in 2008, the
Global Midwest Alliance, the Economic Development Council (EDC),
the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the Midwest Research
University Network (MRUN), Bryan Cave law firm and the U.S.
Commercial Service- Chicago and Libertyville offices are pleased
to announce a day-and-a-half program exhibiting excellence in
Clean Technology innovation, products, and services – connecting
innovators with financiers, business management expertise, and
the international community. Sectoral Breakout Sessions will
include following topic areas: Renewable/Alternative Energy,
Greener Building Sciences and Infrastructure & Community.
Program includes: a business marketplace, exhibit areas,
facilitated one-on-one business development meetings, leading
speakers from academia, trade groups, policy makers, corporate
entities, and financial firms. A reception will be held at IIT’s
University Technology Park, including a tour of the facility,
which has a focus on Clean Technology company tenants and special
"soft landings" area for international entities to set up a
virtual presence in North America. Second day will include the
Innovation Competition, highlighting emerging Clean Tech
companies, and an optional tour to Argonne National Laboratory –
one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s largest research centers.
Venue: Federal Reserve Bank Chicago. For more information. E-mail: dwillett@globalmidwestalliance.org
or glongmore@globalmidwestalliance.org .
DECEMBER EVENTS - 2009
December 10, 2009: Opportunites in the Bulgarian Rail Sector -
Chicago
The U.S. Trade Development Agency is sponsoring an Orientation
Visit to the United States for eight Bulgarian officials from the
Ministry of Transport, the National Railway Infrastructure
Company and the Bulgarian State Railway. U.S. companies can meet
with high level delegates and hear about the planned railway
projects in Bulgaria. Delegates are interested in U.S. equipment,
services and practices that could benefit from the $825 million
worth of planned railway infrastructure improvement projects.
U.S. Dept. of Commerce Trade Specialist Monica Toporkiewicz will
highlight U.S. Commercial Service export promotion services
available to U.S. companies considering the market. Optional
one-on-one meetings with delegates will follow. Registration for
the briefing and one-on-one meetings is $50 per person. For
online registration and further details click here. For more info, contact Ellen Declerck at
(703) 691-0380 x122 or ekdeclerck@decisionanalysis.net .
MARCH EVENTS - 2010
March 9 - 11, 2010: Complying with US Export Controls and
Developing an Export Management & Compliance Program -
Chicago
Save the Date! This U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of
Industry Security (BIS) training seminar will give you the
opportunity to learn first hand from experienced U.S. Government
officials about export control policies, regulations and
procedures. BIS will be in Chicago conducting two days of
training on how to comply with U.S. export control requirements
on commercial goods, with an optional third day program on how to
develop an export management and compliance program. Co-sponsored
by the U.S. Commercial Service. Location, Cost and Registration
information to be announced. For more information or to add your
name/contact information to an email notification list once
program registration link is available, please contact Jeff
Graber at jeffrey.graber@mail.doc.gov or
312-353-7711.
OTHER EVENTS
November 11-12, 2009: Europe Showtime Program at Greenbuild
2009 Expo - Phoenix
U.S. Commercial Service Europe-based Senior Commercial Officers
and Industry Commercial Specialist from Italy, Germany,
Scandinavia, France, and the United Kingdom, as well as the EU
Standards Specialist from the U.S. Mission to the European Union
will conduct private one-on-one consultations with U.S.
exhibitors at the Greenbuild 2009 Expo, to discuss current and
future market opportunities in the $900 billion European market,
how to comply with CE Mark and other EU regulations and
standards, and how the U.S. Commercial Service can help U.S.
firms locate new business partners in Europe. In addition to the
Europe-based officers, industry specialists and standards
specialist, we will have representatives from the U.S. Commercial
Service office in the UAE and Israel. Private consultations are
available from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM on Wednesday, November 11, and
Thursday, November 12. Registration is required, but there are no
fees for participation. For more information on the Showtime
Program or to request an appointment, please contact Deborah
Doherty at Deborah.Doherty@mail.doc.gov ,
or visit our Showtime Website at http://www.buyusa.gov/europe/greenbuild.html.
Increase your Exposure to PRC Clients
"AccessAmerica" is our new online Chinese-language
directory of U.S. firms that provide customized services to
Chinese companies that want to conduct business in the U.S.,
including finding partners and setting up offices. The
"AccessAmerica" Service Provider directory gives
U.S.-based companies and economic development agencies access and
exposure to Chinese clients who seek U.S. expertise in global
logistics, trade finance, HR, site selection, tax, insurance,
legal and regulatory issues, marketing, and other support related
to investing in the U.S. It is promoted in China, in Chinese, in
cooperation with our partners including the Council of American
States in China, CCPIT, Shanghai Overseas Investment Development
Board, the U.S.-China Business Council and the American Chambers
of Commerce in China, among others. State partners include
Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi and New York.
AccessAmerica is featured on the U.S. Embassy Chinese webpage
which has 100,000 hits per month. It is also featured at Invest
in America programs in the U.S. and China, such as the China
Overseas Investment Fair and Invest New York events in November.
AccessAmerica was featured in China Business Review, Xinhua
and China Trade News and is generating actionable leads
for subscribers. Your listing will include company information,
company logo, and contact details, all translated into Chinese,
for a one-year subscription fee of $400. Increase your firm's
visibility in China and boost your service exports! Visit
"AccessAmerica" at http://www.buyusa.gov/china/en/ and direct
questions to julie.carducci@mail.doc.gov .
PARTNERS' EVENT CALENDARS
Visit our partners' event calendars for additional international trade and policy-related events:
Alliance for Illinois Manufacturing - NORBIC Calendar
Global Midwest Alliance - Global Midwest Alliance Programs
International Trade Club of Chicago - ITCC Events
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs - Council Programs
The International Trade Association of Greater Chicago - ITA/GC Calendar
For a complete listing of upcoming Domestic and International Trade Events supported by the U.S. Commercial Service, visit the Trade Events Calendar.