The National Export Initiative's Export Promotion Strategy

Chris Damm

Director

Monterey Bay Export Assistance Center, U.S. DOC Foreign Commercial Service

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The Commercial Service of the Department of Commerce is the leading government agency for the National Export Initiative (NEI). The NEI will provide more funding, more focus and more cabinet-level coordination to grow U.S. exports. The NEI represents the first time the United States will have a government-wide export-promotion strategy with focused attention from the President and his cabinet.

What Does the National Export Initiative Mean to California's Agricultural Industry?

Candy Hansen-Gage

Director

Fresno Center for Int'l Trade Development (CITD)

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Mrs Hansen Gage will discuss the latest news on the National Export Initiative (NEI) directly following the Agricultural Trade Roundtable recently held in Monterey with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).  Also, the California Agricultural Export Training Program or "CalAgX"  will be discussed on how it benefits the producers, processors and marketers of California grown or processed specialty crops.

Fire, Ready, Aim - Why Wait for the National Export Initiative?

Leslie Levy August

Secretary General

Trade Bridge International, Inc.

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The right combination of export assistance can get an export marketing program up and running with or without the President Obama’s pledge to double exports in the next five years. Using the U.S. Commercial Service, international trade associations and private export service companies, a business can be just a few months away from opening a new market overseas. Two handy export services that are a mouse-click away and can help jump-start your export program and they are the ATA Carnet International Customs Document and Export Cargo Insurance. The first will get your products and equipment through foreign customs in 70 countries without paying duties and taxes for up to 1 year. The latter is essential to protect your assets and revenue when developing and operating an export program.

This presentation will discuss how to find and select an ATA Carnet service provider and export cargo insurance broker, what questions to ask when considering an ATA Carnet for your export promotion program and how terms of sale impact the cargo insurance policy terms. Special focus will be on the needs of small and medium companies and how export service providers can be an integral and trusted extension of their staff and export programs.

New Resources for California Green Exporters

Maurice Kogon

Director

El Camino College Center for Int'l Trade Development (CITD)

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This presentation will cover two federally-funded grant projects of the El Camino College Center for International Trade Development (ECC/CITD) that provide significant benefits to the California trade community.

International Trade Compliance Institute

7-Step Green Export Enabler Program

International Trade Compliance Institute (ITCI):

In 2008, the ECC/CITD received a two-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education to establish ITCI as a comprehensive, one-stop source of advice, information, training and assistance on all aspects of international trade regulations and compliance. Why ITCI? Many exporters and importers fail to comply with international trade regulations out of ignorance. The unwitting violators not only put our nation at risk, but also risk severe criminal penalties and loss of their goods. The fearful trade-avoiders are denying themselves huge potential opportunities for business and job growth that could benefit their companies as well as the nation.  Maurice Kogon’s presentation will demonstrate the free resources within the extensive ITCI Website, including very large, but easily searchable databases of regulatory terms, laws and regulations, regulatory FAQs, and basic trade information.

Green Export Enabler Program (GEEP): In 2009, the ECC/CITD received a three-year, Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to increase California exports of green technologies to the huge China market. GEEP is offered exclusively by the ECC/CITD in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Export-Import Bank. This presentation will describe GEEP’s 7 specific deliverables to prepare, train and enable green clients to establish representation and make export sales in China GEEP clients pay $1,000 to join, but receive up to $1,500 in subsidies to cover costs of partner searches, trade show booth space, and other fee-based services. See GEEP Website at www.greenexport.org

A Model for Economic Development

Mary Ann LeffelMary Ann Leffel

President

Monterey County Business Council (MCBC)

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Mary Ann Leffel will discuss how her organization provides collaborative leadership services for Monterey County’s business community, promoting sustainability and global competitiveness of existing and emerging businesses, while reflecting MCBC’s strong commitment to economic vitality, the environment and quality of life.

MCBC’s distinctive economic development program is a model that can be followed by other regions in the world with similar business environments to the Monterey Bay.

Congressman

Sam Farr

17th District

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Congressman Sam Farr will speak about the National Export Initiative, Free Trade Agreements and how that will help our region. Also, he will provide a general overview of what’s happening in Congress as it pertains to our local business climate.