Local Trade Events
The U.S. Commercial Service, along with our local international trade partners, conducts on-going conferences, seminars, and events to educate our clients and promote international trade. Whether it's an executive briefing with a Commercial Service Officer from Australia or a videoconference with your distributor in Zurich, these events are designed to help U.S. exporters market locally and sell globally.
Click here for access to Commercial Service Minnesota YouTube training.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Registration is now open!
Date: June 4-5, 2013
Location: Radisson Plaza Hotel, Downtown Minneapolis, MN
The Minnesota District Export Council, in cooperation with the U.S. Commercial Service, is pleased to invite you to join us to strategically plan your business' future growth in the West, Central, and Eastern European export markets. Discover how to identify new export opportunities, increase market share and competitive edge, and develop strategic relationships with those that are on the forefront of business and exporting in these key markets: Western & Eastern Europe, Russia and former Soviet States.
During the conference you will have the opportunity to attend keynote addresses by leaders from government and industry, choose from numerous concurrent sessions covering each of the country markets, and benefit from pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings with the Senior Commercial Officers of each represented country.
For more information & sponsorship inquiries, please contact info@exportassistance.com or visit exportassistance.com
Click here to register.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Doing Business in South Africa
In 2012, Minnesota exports to South Africa were $85 million, up 16 percent from 2011. Leading product categories were machinery, vehicles and products, electrical machinery and medical products.
Enjoying economic stability and a pro-business environment, South Africa is an attractive choice for U.S. companies to enter sub-Saharan Africa.
Date: May 15, 2013
Time: 1:30pm – 4:45pm; registration at 1:00pm,and reception follows at 5:30 same location.
Location: St. Paul Athletic Club, 340 Cedar St., St. Paul, MN 55101
Cost: $25 if pre-registered; $30 walk-ins. Fee includes refreshments.
For more information, click here.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Deadline for STEP Small Business Export Activity Funding (Round 8)
The STEP program provides financial and technical assistance to qualifying Minnesota small businesses with an active interest in exporting products or services to foreign markets. Participants may be first-time exporters or companies that are currently exporting but are interested in expanding into new international markets.
Eligible small businesses may apply for reimbursement of up to $500 for export-training that will result in the development of an export strategy or up to $7,500 for approved export-development activities.
For further information, click here.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
U.S. Bank’s “Best Practices in Trade Payments”
They’ll show you how to:
• Analyze and mitigate the risk in International Trade
• Sort through the array of import/export trade payment & finance options
• Understand Letter of Credit (LC) and Documentary Collection (CAD) terms and process these types of transactions more efficiently
• Use the Internet to do many of your tasks!
• Apply the newest trends in supply chain finance
Date: May 16, 2013
Time: 8:30am – noon, includes continental breakfast.
Location: U.S. Bank Minneapolis, 17th Fl.-Training Rm A, 800 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: $35.00 per person - includes the breakfast and seminar
For more information, click here.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
“Ask an Attorney” and Padelford River Boat Cruise on the Mississippi
Trade Compliance keeping you up at night? Have a burning question that you’d like to ask an attorney? Not sure you need an attorney?
MGTA has assembled an esteemed panel of six attorneys that will wow you. Join then for an open forum where you may ask anything related to import or export trade compliance. Bring your questions and listen to attorneys as they think out loud and bounce their ideas off each other. Or just sit back and listen. No question is off the table.
Important disclaimer — this is not legal advice.
And be sure to stay and relax on a riverboat cruise following the session. This will be your opportunity to keep the conversation going with these attorneys.
Date: May 16, 2013
Time: Registration: 3:00pm; Program: 3:30pm – 5:15pm; Networking Cruise: 5:30pm – 7:30pm.
Location: Padelford Landing at Harriet Island Regional Park, St. Paul, MN
Cost: Members: $65, Non-members: $75, Students: $30 (add $10 to rate after May 3rd); rate includes seminar, cruise, & dinner.
For more information, click here.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
The German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest-Minnesota Chapter & The Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany cordially invite you to the Gala 2013. Come and join us to celebrate transatlantic success stories and our German-American community! This is an excellent opportunity to make your company visible by becoming an Event or Silent Auction Sponsor.
Date: May 17, 2013
Time: 6:00pm – 10:00pm.
Location: Hotel Sofitel – Minneapolis; Bloomington, MN 55439
Cost: Tickets are $125 for members/affiliated Chambers/Organizations; $150 for Guests; $1000 for Reserved table with Premiere Gala seating for 8. Register Now!
For more information, click here.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Value-Added Feed Ingredients Buyers Mission
Six buyers from Vietnam, China and Mexico will be in Minnesota to meet one-on-one with Minnesota feed and feed ingredients companies. Buyer profiles will be available online.
Watch for additional updates as they become available.
Date: Monday June 3, 2013; 8:00am – Tuesday June 4, 2013; 6:00pm
Deadline: Early-bird April 4, 2013; Final May 5, 2013.
For more information, click here.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Canada Minnesota Business Council Luncheon
The Canada Minnesota Business Council (CMBC) is hosting a luncheon with Mr. Joc O'Rourke, Executive VP and COO of the Mosaic Company on June 6th.
Mr. O’Rourke joined The Mosaic Company in 2009. As Executive Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer, he has been instrumental in Mosaic’s success as the world’s largest combined producer of potash and phosphate, two vital crop nutrients. As part of its mission to help the world grow the food it needs, Mosaic mines and delivers nearly 19 million tonnes of product to approximately 40 countries each year. With more than 25 years of experience in mining/processing operations, Mr. O’Rourke has held senior management roles in Canada, Papua New Guinea and Australia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mining and mineral engineering from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, and an executive MBA from the INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France. Learn more at www.mosaicco.com.
Date: June 6, 2013
Time: 11:30am – 1:00pm
Location: Radisson Plaza Hotel – Norway Room, 35 S. 7th St., Minneapolis, MN 55402
Cost: $40
For more information, click here
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Registration Deadline: Trade Mission with Governor Dayton
Governor Mark Dayton will lead a trade mission to Germany, Norway, and Sweden - June 12-21, 2013.
Delegates will travel to the business centers of Berlin, Dusseldorf/Cologne, Oslo, and Stockholm for meetings with business leaders and government officials, presentations by market and industry experts, networking activities, and business site visits.
Why Germany, Norway and Sweden?
Germany is Minnesota’s fifth-largest trading partner and one of the state’s largest foreign investment partners. Norway and Sweden are among the most competitive markets in the world and are easy to enter for Minnesota companies. Europe has opportunities in many sectors and is an important element of any export strategy.
Mission Objectives: The mission will focus on growing state exports, building new business opportunities and partnerships for Minnesota companies, and strengthening existing relationships with longstanding partners in Europe. Objectives include:
- trade opportunities
•Acquiring market information, business contacts and partners
•Supporting current business interests in Europe
•Developing relationships with key trade organizations
•Exploring foreign direct investment opportunities
Registration Deadline: March 5, 2013 by 5:00pm
Dates: June 12 – 21, 2013
For more information click here, and to register click here.
Deadline for STEP Small Business Export Activity Funding (Round 9)
The STEP program provides financial and technical assistance to qualifying Minnesota small businesses with an active interest in exporting products or services to foreign markets. Participants may be first-time exporters or companies that are currently exporting but are interested in expanding into new international markets.
Eligible small businesses may apply for reimbursement of up to $500 for export-training that will result in the development of an export strategy or up to $7,500 for approved export-development activities.
Date: June 14, 2013
For further information, click here.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Focused Trade Mission to Mexico for Foodservice
Explore market opportunities and establish contacts within the food service industry through custom market research, one-on-one meetings with qualified buyers, local retail tours, tabletop showcase of your products and networking opportunities in both cities.
Deadline: Early-bird: April 4th, 2013; Final: May 5th, 2013
Date: Monday, June 17, 2013 8:00am – Thursday, June 20, 2013 6:00pm
For more information, click here.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Free Trade Agreements: Unraveling the Complexities
Date: June 26, 2013
Time: 8:30am – 3:00pm; registration at 8:00am.
Location: St. Mary’s University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Campus – Alumni Rm., 2304 Park Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55404
Cost: $45 in advance; $65 walk-ins/at the door
For more information, click here.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Registration Deadline for State of MN & CGLG Trade Mission on September 8-17, 2013
The State of Minnesota and the Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG) are leading a multi-sector trade mission to Colombia, Chile and Brazil from September 8-17, 2013. The goal of this mission is to assist small to medium-sized companies from the Great Lakes region to export products and services. Registration Deadline: July 15, 2013.
Why Export to Colombia, Chile and Brazil?
These three countries represent some of the world's best export markets for U.S. goods. In 2011, U.S. exports to Colombia reached $14 billion, up nearly 15% from 2010. Chile offers a dynamic, transparent and low-risk business climate, and the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement facilitates exporting. Brazil has one of the world's fastest growing economies and in 2011 the U.S. exported $42.9 billion worth of goods to Brazil.
Who Should Attend?
Small to medium sized companies from the Great Lakes region looking to export products and services to these exciting markets.
Deadline: July 15th, 2013
Dates: September 8,2013 – September 17, 2013
Costs: $975 per person; Includes in-country staff support; group airport-hotel-airport transportation; country briefings and networking events; pre-trip and in-country staff support.
For more information, click here.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Deadline for STEP Small Business Export Activity Funding (Round 10)
The STEP program provides financial and technical assistance to qualifying Minnesota small businesses with an active interest in exporting products or services to foreign markets. Participants may be first-time exporters or companies that are currently exporting but are interested in expanding into new international markets.
Eligible small businesses may apply for reimbursement of up to $500 for export-training that will result in the development of an export strategy or up to $7,500 for approved export-development activities.
Date: July 15, 2013
For further information, click here.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
This export education seminar will be useful for companies at all stages of the export process. Topics covered may include export documentation, product pricing, logistics, international marketing, finding buyers for your products and accessing resources for your company to go international.
Watch for more information as it becomes available, including flyer and registration links.
Date: July 16, 2013
Time: 8:30am – 4:30pm;
Location: University of Wisconsin – River Falls, Wisconsin; Hosted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture
For more information, click here.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Deadline for STEP Small Business Export Activity Funding (Round 11)
The STEP program provides financial and technical assistance to qualifying Minnesota small businesses with an active interest in exporting products or services to foreign markets. Participants may be first-time exporters or companies that are currently exporting but are interested in expanding into new international markets.
Eligible small businesses may apply for reimbursement of up to $500 for export-training that will result in the development of an export strategy or up to $7,500 for approved export-development activities.
Date: August 15, 2013: 5:00pm – 6:00pm
For further information, click here.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Canada, Mexico, & The Caribbean Market Consulting Event
This August, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will offer a customized consultation event for Minnesota agribusinesses interested in exporting to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Three seasoned food and ag consultants from these markets will join the Department to offer an educational seminar and one-on-one meetings to Minnesota companies to discuss opportunities, best practices and challenges to doing business across the regions.
Perfect for both new exporters and those looking to expand their international presence, this event offers the opportunity to explore your potential in Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean without the cost and time commitment of travel!
Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 – Thursday, August 22, 2013
Time: Wednesday 8:30am – Thursday 3pm
Location: Hilton Hotel, Minneapolis
Cost: $100 for larger companies and free for smaller companies.
For more information, click here.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Save the Dates! Bis 2013: Complying with US Export Controls and/or how to Develop an EMCP
Days 1 and 2: Complying with U.S. Export Controls
Day 3: How to Develop an Export Management and Compliance Program
More information forthcoming.
Date: September 24 - 26
Time: 8:00am – 4:30pm; registration at 7:30
Location: Minneapolis Airport Marriot, 2020 East American Boulevard, Bloomington, MN 55425
For more information, click here
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is pleased to announce that it will bring its popular "EXPANDING HORIZONS" workshops for small businesses to Minneapolis. These workshops will highlight the OPIC and other government resources available to help American companies access business opportunities in emerging markets abroad.
To read more about the workshop program or to register to attend, please visit their event website -www.OPICevents.com. Watch for updates.
Date: October 8th, 2013
For the most up-to-date information please visit OPIC’s website, or click here.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Finding & Motivating the Right Foreign Business Partner
**Postponed—NEW DATE will be announced soon.
Finding the right foreign business partners is essential to export success, but where and how do you start? In this seminar you will find the best ways to locate, qualify, select and motivate independent distributors and representatives.
Date: TBA
Time: 9:00am-2:00pm
Location: 1st National Bank Building, DEED Conference Ctr, 332 Minnesota St, Suite E200, St Paul
For more information and to register, click here.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
The Minnesota Trade Office and its many partners organize a variety of seminars, conferences, trade missions, and trade shows that focus on international business and related events.
