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Opening session

The conference will open with a discussion on the Global Trading System: Understanding Its Realignment and will focus on recent developments together with emerging trends that have dramatically altered the global trading system as we know it. These developments have been a combination of factors. The result is a shift in the risk factors that exporters must now consider, the closure of certain markets, and the emergence of new opportunities and new trading partners. This plenary program will set the stage for the programs that follow. 

USTR, US Department of Commerce and SBA representatives will provide NADEC with an update on the US trade agenda and small business, including invitations to DECs for upcoming in-person SME Dialogues in 2023 with USCMA, UK and EU partners. Panel discussions will include a follow-up to the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit and what is available for SMEs to take advantage of this critical emerging market.

National security is a major challenge in trade and global competition, one that our small and medium businesses face daily as we compete against authoritarian governments with total control over every aspect of their economies. Key thought leaders will look at the challenges faced by small businesses globally and domestically and at ways that exports and investments can (and should) be used as a strategic diplomatic and military tool to build relationships with allies, as well as dual use technologies with military, humanitarian, and commercial applications.

Strategies and tactics for new Emerging Export Markets and Underserved Populations will provide practical information on “how to” take advantage of the export opportunities and maintain profitability in this changing global trading environment. We will explore best practices for engagement, capacity - building and opportunity in the global marketplace, including a panel focused on Indigenous communities. Panelists will share best practices on doing business from an economic development perspective (agriculture, tourism, hospitality) and experiences in exporting products-services abroad. Key emerging markets will be addressed by those with boots on the ground!

Global supply chain and logistics issues have become a critical trade component post COVID. Experienced exporters and export service providers will highlight how they have made the shift to manage risk and cost in their global supply chain and how exporters can leverage resources to be more competitive. Your global supply chain can be impacted by a myriad of issues including space availability on export air and ocean shipments, forced labor issues, transportation pricing, changing technology, and trade compliance, to name a few.

Our regional DECs across the country are essential to providing trade education, assistance, and advocacy at the grassroots level. Universities can be a key resource! A panel of trade experts will highlight on how universities can assist DECs and exporters in their region in accomplishing our mission of expanding U.S. exports, especially SME exports. (Please note the below article on Trade DNA)

Day One will conclude with a Roundtable Discussion on U.S. Government Trade Priorities and Opportunities featuring Directors of the U.S. Commercial Service Regional Offices. Throughout the day, attendees will have the opportunity to meet with trade resource partners to discuss specific export assistance programs.

On May 10, attendees will meet in the Dirksen Senate Building for a legislative update from select elected officials on critical trade issues. DEC members are encouraged to schedule meetings in advance with their State’s Congressional Representatives and/or staff members to better inform them on the importance of trade and trade legislation to our businesses and to our nation. NADEC will provide talking points and can assist in arranging meetings, as needed.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to market your company to this unique audience. I can be reached at:aburkett@naita.org

Join our Corporate Sponsors!

David Day, Co-Chair, NADEC Trade Policy Committee

On the 2nd day of the NADEC Annual Conference coming up this May, there will be an important visit up on the Hill so that all of our attendees are able to spend some time with their respective Senate and House members.

This visit will be preceded by a morning briefing conducted by NADEC’s Chairman, Jonathan Szucs, along with 2 members of our Trade Policy Committee, Susanne Sterling (California) and Luke Lindberg (South Dakota). In addition to specific issues which you may wish to raise, there will be a handful of national issues which we know will be important for you to raise and discuss with your Congressionals. We will bring those to your attention during the briefing. 

One of these critical, national issues will be the importance of renewing the President’s Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) which lapsed nearly two years ago, back in July, 2021. This inability of the Executive branch to meaningfully negotiate in the trade arena is one of the reasons why we have seen no new trade agreements since the USMCA. It has also impaired the restart or finalization the U.S./U.K. and U.S./E.U. FTA’s.

You can access the full article entitled, “2023 is the year to renew trade promotion authority,” which was published in The Hill on January 21, 2023 here:

For the last several years the North Carolina DEC has focused on developing the “Building the Trade DNA” Program. Greg Sizemore,Executive Secretary, and members Bill Harazin and Clem Schrader have been hard at work refining the program.

The recent appointment of NC DEC member Jonathan Szucs to NADEC Chair has helped to move the “Trade DNA” Program into more of a national focus. Jonathan’s company, Advanced Superabrasives, is a successful client of X-Culture. He stands willing to share specifics of his experience with X-Culture.

X-Culture has graduated over 100,000 students across 6 continents, over 70 countries, and from over 500 universities and middle and high schools. Our primary mission is to provide real-life international business experience coupled with essential HUMAN LIFE SKILLS training, skills like working with individuals of diverse cultures across time zones, conflict, and problem-solving. Our vast network of hundreds of global volunteers is key to our success.

Interested? Read full article here

Contact Tom Robinson, North Carolina DEC Member

tom.robinson@x-culture.org or call 1-336-324-7465

Submit event details to the website HERE

Q? Contact Heidi Whitman or Urszula Wojciechowska, Communications Officer

Webinar

An organization’s survival is increasingly dependent on its ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from cyber attacks. Cybersecurity helps companies and organizations protect themselves from cyber risks, defend against and limit the severity of attacks, and ensure that business operations continue to function effectively at home and abroad.

Join the Indiana District Export Council (IDEC) on March 16, 2023 for an Export Lunch & Learn Webinar as we discuss cybersecurity from shop-floor to boardroom and beyond to global markets.

For more Information Please Contact: Andrew Reinke, fti@foreigntargets.com

Selling and promoting your products around the world can be challenging! If you're part of a small or medium-sized business, you know that you need to employ the right strategy to achieve ROI as soon as possible. You don't have extra hours in the day or room in your budget to make mistakes.

The most efficient way to enter new international markets is by leveraging online business development tools. At IBT Online we specialize in building market-specific websites tailored to the local audience, helping US exporters being found, understood and become easy to do business with globally.

Of course, it takes an investment to launch a website - an investment of finances and your team’s precious time. The time spent on big projects like this can be very costly, which is all the more reason why AHB trusted IBT Online’s team of technical experts to become their perfect partner, providing all the technical expertise needed.

Read how AHB Tooling and Machinery recently expanded their online presence to reach Chinese, German, and Spanish-speaking customers online. “Launching these international websites allowed us to increase our business in places we didn’t think possible” says Claire Marquette, Marketing Coordinator of AHB.

Whether you are a new or experienced exporter, the U.S. Commercial Service's global network of export experts in more than 100 U.S. cities and 80 global markets can help you find opportunities, reduce uncertainty and make new export sales.

US Department of Commerce, Int'l Trade Administration manages this global trade website to provide access to ITA information on compliance with trade laws and agreements and strengthen the competitiveness of US industry.

SBA works to ignite change and spark action so small businesses can confidently start, grow, expand, or recover. SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses.

*Attention DEC Chairs! NADEC wants to partner with local DECs to help promote your DEC events to the broader DEC community!

Publicize your local DEC events on the NADEC website! Fill in the events form here

NADEC WEBSITE INITIATIVE: NADEC would like every local DEC to have its own presence on the worldwide web! NADEC is providing 2 options to local DECs to develop a cost-effective website. Funding assistance is available. If your local DEC does not have a website and would like further information on this initiative, please contact the NADEC Office.

The NADEC National Committee has prepared: