May 2023
In this edition:

  • NADEC Chairman's remarks
  • Don Graves remarks
  • Conversation with SBA Gabriel Esparza
  • Conference wrap-up - our speakers
  • Conference Sponsors - thank you!
  • Awards - congratulations!

  • Trade Policy Committee update: Changing trade landscape
  • US Dept. of Commerce needs your feedback!
  • Trade is helping small companies grow - Tom Dustman
  • Events: NADEC and US Department of Commece
  • IBT Blog: Social Media usage
Thank you for attending the Annual NADEC Conference!

Thank you for attending the Annual NADEC Conference in DC!
Over 200 people attended our conference entitled “The Changing Global Trading Relationships & Opportunities: How can you maintain profitability in these challenging times?”

I would like to take a moment and thank our Deputy Assistant Secretary, Kendee Yamaguchi, who was present during the entire one-day conference and met with many DEC members in attendance. Your feedback to the Deputy Assistant Secretary is vital in the future of Commercial Services.  

Our thanks to our Sponsors for making this event possible, listed below in this newsletter. And a big thank you, to you, for your continuing support! 

Work has already started on the planning of the 2024. Conference. We encourage all of you to attend as we will mark the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the District Export Councils! Please let us know what topics you would find helpful to include.

Sincerely,
Jonathan Szucs, President, Advanced Superabrasives Inc.
Remarks by Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves, at the National Association of District Export Councils Conference

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Thank you, Kendee, for the introduction, and thanks to NADEC Chair Jonathan Szucs and Vice-Chair Anne Burkett for your work to have us all here today.

And thank you to all members of the District Export Councils across the country for taking time to come to Washington for this event. We are grateful for the work that you do to help exporters and future exporters back home. Your engagement in trade promotion activities is integral to the Department of Commerce and helps us advance the work of our staff.

I’m excited about today’s conference because it gives me a chance to share with you some of the Commerce Department’s work, and how it may provide opportunities for your communities.

You all know the reasons why trade is so important to not just your businesses, but to the American economy.

Each year, U.S. companies export trillions of dollars in goods and services. But the truth is: The U.S. – when compared to its competitor nations – underperforms.

We must continue to emphasize that exporting is not just for vast, multinational companies. In fact, the vast majority of companies that export are small or medium-sized.

Yet too many U.S. small or medium-sized businesses are still not exporting to their full potential – or even at all – because they view it as a risk, or because they lack the necessary information, resources, and network to execute.
Conversation on Trade with SBA

by Gabriel J. Esparza, Associate Administrator, Office of International Trade, U.S. Small Business Administration

It was such an honor to spend time with members of NADEC at the conference in Washington, D.C. earlier this month.

What I so very much appreciate about NADEC is that you are both thought leaders and practitioners at the same time – business owners living the reality of growing your companies, or that of your clients, through international trade, while at the same time working to collectively advocate for smart trade policies. As such, this felt to me like a conversation amongst friends – a conversation on what works well in the trade environment and solving for the impediments that still lie before us. 

The good news is that U.S. exports are up – reaching 3 trillion in volume in 2022 and surpassing pre-Covid levels, all despite a relatively strong U.S. dollar which would otherwise provide downward pressure on exports. Similarly, many of the supply chain constraints that delayed shipments and increased costs have subsided.

The U.S. is also adding to the existing set of 20 free trade agreements with new frameworks to promote trade in the Pacific (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity) and throughout Latin America (Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity). Nevertheless, geo-political challenges have created friction in certain markets that can limit market access or severely constrain operating margins.

This is where the SBA focuses on the practical solutions that help small business owners – providing technical assistance for those looking to understand trade dynamics, increasing access to capital, and providing helpful stimulus grants.

But our work is highly informed by the needs of the marketplace and feedback from organizations like NADEC – particularly the very thoughtful questions I received during our discussion.
  • How do we leverage technology to track assets through the shipping process?
  • How do we support diaspora communities in trading with their countries of origin?
  • And how do we ensure collateral requirements of our loan programs are relevant to companies on tribal lands? 

NADEC’s voice in the on-going evolution of our SBA products and services is part of making your government as nimble, relevant, and impactful as possible. Thank you again for the opportunity to be a part of your conference and I look forward to our on-going partnership.  
Annual Conference: Its a Wrap!


The conference was a huge success, thanks in part to the hard work of NADEC Executive Committee and the NADEC Board.  
 

NADEC Partner Government Agencies exhibit tables featured Representatives from: 
 
Industry and Analysis – Office of Manufacturing; Office of Supply Chain; National Travel & Tourism, Office of Industry Engagement; US Commercial Service -  Office of Africa, Europe, Asia, China, US Field, Office of Strategy and Engagement; US Small Business Administration and the Export Import Bank of the US (EXIM).
 
Our speaker line-up was second to none with more than 50 respected experts from a range of disciplines in the export arena, including (in session order):  

Kendee Yamaguchi, Deputy Assistant Secretary for US Field, US Department of Commerce 
John Worthington, CEO/ President, IBT Online – Platinum Sponsor 
David Day, Chairman, Global Risk Mitigation Foundation and Hawaii DEC
Everett Eissenstat Chair, Edelman Global Advisory for the US and Canada 
Andrea Thompson Vice President for International Programs, Northrop Grumman 
Richard Grana, President, IMPEX and Kentucky DEC
Dr. Christina Sevilla, USTR Deputy Assistant US Trade Representative 
Joseph Hanley, National Director for the U.S. Field, US Commercial Service 
Christine P. Brown, Director of Trade, SBA 
Tom Dustman, International Sales Director, Sunnen and Missouri DEC
Danica R. Starks, Senior US Commercial Liaison to the World Bank 
Peter Clement, SVP of International Factoring, Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc 
W.E. Da’Cruz, Cofounder & COO, The VGC Group, E MI DEC 
Scott Eisner, President, US - Africa Business Center at US Chamber of Commerce 
William Fanjoy, Senior Advisor for Private Sector Engagement, Prosper Africa 
Heather Lanigan, Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, US Trade & Development Agency 
Toyin Umesiri, Founder & CEO, Nazaru LLC & IL DEC
Dr. Thierry Wandji, CEO, Cybastion Tech 
Fred Latuperissa, President, ExIm 20/20 Group and Inland Empire CA DEC
Myron Lizer, former VP of the Navajo Nation Derrick Watchman Board, Chairman, National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development 
Kyia Jackson, Export Business Development Specialist, Arizona Export Center, Minority Business Development Agency, US Department of Commerce 
Michael Brooks, Senior Agriculture Advisor to Senator Mike Rounds, South Dakota 
Timothy Hughes, Senior Trade Advisor, Office of the Commissioner, Kentucky Department of Agriculture 
Kelly Wheeler, Export Manager, Aviagen, Inc. 
Jim Haynes, Director-Business Development, Rohlig USA, LLC & Northern Ohio DEC
Tom Cook, Managing Director Blue Tiger International and New York DEC
Joe Mantello, Director of Logistics, Qosina Corporation 
Jason Cook, Managing Director, Ardent Global Logistics
Bradley McKinney, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue 
Kelly Raia, COO, National Institute for World Trade 
Lt. Gen. Wallace C. Gregson, USMC (Ret), former Assistant Secretary of Defense (Asia) Col. Arthur M. Romanillos, Jr., Philippine Army, Army Attaché to the USA 
Anthony J. Scotti, Chief Operations Officer, Gyrene  
Dr. Elizabeth G. Chan, Global Risk Mitigation Foundation 
Mark J. Ballam, San Diego State University, CIBER, San Diego and Imperial DEC
Rebecca Bellinger, University of Maryland, Maryland/DC DEC 
Kimberly Brown, CEO of Amethyst Technologies and Chair, Maryland/DC DEC 
Joyce Steffan, The Ohio State University, Northern Ohio DEC 
Kim Smith, CEO, Plidco, Northern Ohio DEC 
Dale Tasharski, Deputy Director General of the US and Foreign Commercial Service 
Scott Tatlock, Deputy Assistant Secretary for China, US Department of Commerce  
Cameron Werker, Executive Director, Office of Europe and Eurasia, US Department
of Commerce 
Diane Jones, Executive Director, Office of Western Hemisphere, US Department
of Commerce   
Pamela Phan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia, US Department of Commerce   
Camille Richardson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Africa, US Department of Commerce   
Alex Grant, National Outreach Director at US Global Leadership Coalition
Parker Novak, Deputy Government Relations Director at US Global Leadership Coalition
How Can You Maintain Profitability?"

Were you not able to join us?
 
Recordings of individual sessions will be available next month on the website
Sponsors: We Couldn't Do It Without You!

Our thanks to our Conference Sponsors, and Partners, whose generous support enabled us to provide Conference attendees with an outstanding program and networking opportunities. Their commitment to the DEC network and the US Export community is greatly appreciated.
Congratulations!

DEC of the Year
Georgia District Export Council

The Georgia District Export Council (GDEC) was recently chosen for The District Export Council of the Year award during the 2023 Annual Export Conference in Washington D.C.

The Georgia District Export Council (GDEC) is a non-profit, private-sector advisory board whose mission is to grow Georgia’s economy by boosting U.S. exports. Appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, GDEC members are some of Georgia’s most experienced export executives.

GDEC convenes international trade-related programming around the state to help position Georgia companies for success in the global market. GDEC also educates stakeholders about the importance of trade to Georgia, communicates crucial trade-related information to the Georgia business community, and offers scholarships for Georgia companies to select export-themed events. GDEC cultivates the next generation of Georgia exporters by sponsoring an internship program for undergraduates.
Congratulations!

to Mark Cooper for being selected as the Secretary of the Year!

Mark Cooper, Executive Secretary of the Indiana District Export Council was recently chosen for The Executive Secretary of the Year award during the 2023 Annual Export Conference in Washington D.C.

Mark is the Director of the U.S. Department of Commerce office in Indiana. He coordinates Indiana’s export trade promotion activities. He is responsible for developing and enhancing relationships with industry, local, state, and federal representatives, and provides trade advice, and counsel to Indiana businesses. Mr. Cooper has been an active part of the Indiana international business community for the last 25 years.
NADEC Prepares Exporters for the New Trade Environment

David F. Day, NADEC Trade Policy Committee
May 23, 2023

The recent May, 2023 NADEC Annual Conference in Washington D.C. took a very different approach. The intellectual underpinnings for the Conference developed by the NADEC leadership was focused on making sure that attending exporters were briefed on the radically shifting trade environment which is now starting to appear.
 
This trade realignment, as presented in the opening Plenary Session, is a consequence of a number of shocks to the global trading system. The Plenary session discussants included Andrea Thompson, the Vice President for International programs at Northrop Grumman, former Deputy Assistant to the President, and the former Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. Ms. Thompson was joined onstage by Everett Eisenstadt who is one of the handful for experts with U.S. legislative and executive branch government experience in international trade and economic policy. Mr. Eisenstadt was formerly the Chief International Trade Council for the United States Senate and White House Deputy Director, for the National Economic Council. David Day moderated the discussion.
Some of the causation factors for this new trade alignment include:
  • Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to food insecurity and European energy crisis;
  • Covid pandemic disrupted supply chains;
  • China’s economic rise and related geopolitical tension; and,
  • Inflationary pressures fueling debt crises.

These factors have pushed governments around the world to:
  • Forge new economic alliances prioritizing national security over economic integration;
  • Weaponize trade and investment in the name of national security;
  • Reshore manufacturing and technology by embracing industrial policy and expanding the role of government in the private economy; and,
  • Increase regulations and oversight on business and scrutinize supply chains to achieve climate, labor, and human rights goals.
IMPORTANT! Submit your feedback now!
Help Shape the Future of the U.S. Commercial Service

The U.S. Commercial Service is seeking feedback from clients and the business community about how we can modernize and improve the services and support we provide to U.S. exporters. 

The way we do business is rapidly evolving. Technology is advancing at record speed, and consumers are demanding a superior level of service that is easy to access and of the highest quality. The U.S. Commercial Service’s goal is to be able to meet the demands of the U.S. exporter/business community by providing the resources and services that they need to successfully research, evaluate and expand into global markets.

Submit Your Feedback
As you consider providing feedback, we encourage you to think about all the services that we provide. This includes:

  • Fee-based services such as the Gold Key Service, Single Company Promotion, and International Partner Search, etc.
  • Trade event services.
  • Web-based resources like our market intelligence articles and Country Commercial Guides, for example.
  • Any other direct or indirect support you receive from the U.S. Commercial Service.
  • Visit Export Solutions for a better understanding of all the assistance the U.S. Commercial Service provides to the business/exporting community.

As you reflect upon these services…which do you find the most valuable? Are there additional services that we should be offering that we currently do not offer? How could we modernize or improve our offerings to better serve you? 

Your feedback is extremely valuable. As we strive to deliver the highest quality service to all customers, understanding what our clients find most helpful, and where there is room for improvement is critically important to how we plan to innovate and enhance the way we do business. The deadline to submit feedback is June 23, 2023. 

Trade Is Helping Small Business Exporters Grow 

All across America, small and medium-sized exporters are flourishing, selling their products to international customers, gaining market share—and creating jobs.

“The market that exists outside the U.S. is substantial. Any company in the Midwest or the U.S. can minimize their risk by casting their customer net as wide as possible,” says Tom Dustman, international sales director at Sunnen, a manufacturer based in St. Louis, Missouri and NADEC Board Member. “In today’s world, we can ship by air to Chicago, or we can ship by rail to a port on either coast and then load it onto a vessel.”

As America celebrates World Trade Week, it’s worthwhile asking local business leaders what they think about trade and it quickly becomes clear: They all support a bold American trade agenda.

Click here of entire article
Please share your local DEC events with the NADEC Network!

To submit an event for posting, fill in the form on the NADEC webiste here
Q: contact Heidi Whitman, NADEC Admin Coordinator
& Urszula Wojciechowska, Communications Officer & Ex Committee member

Recordings of previous webinars can be found here
Save the dates!

Export Compliance Webinar
June 21, 2023 - 4:00 pm EDT

Cyber Security Data Transfer Webinar
July 19, 2023 - 4:00 pm EDT

District Export Council Boot Camp Webinar
August 21, 2023 - 4:00 pm EDT

More details will be posted on the NADEC website as planning progresses.
U.S. Caribbean Business Conference
September 6-7, 2023
8:00 am - 5:00 pm GMT-0500

EXPLORING THE MARKETS OF THE CARIBBEAN

U.S. Caribbean Business Conference 2023 participants will receive up-to-date market intelligence and help develop practical strategies for winning procurements and for exporting their goods and services.

The program will include U.S. diplomats, industry professionals, trade experts, international business experts, high-level government officials and seasoned exporters – with plenty of opportunity for networking.

For more information, contact: Jim Anzalone, office.miami@trade.gov

Trade Mission to Canada and Mexico & Business Opportunities in the America’s Conference
September 17-22, 2023, Washington DC, Canada & Mexico 

This trade mission will include the Business Opportunities in the Americas Conference in Washington, DC on September 17-19, 2023.

Hosted in Washington, DC, the Business Opportunities in the Americas Conference will focus on region-specific sessions, market entry strategies, export compliance, legal, logistics, disaster resilience and recovery and trade financing resources. You will also be able to have prearranged one-on-one consultations with U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service (US & FCS) commercial officers!
LGBTQI+ Mexico Executive Matchmaking Forum
August 2-4, 2023, Mexico City, Mexico

The forum participants will have the opportunity to engage in business-to-business appointments, each of which will be with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors, or joint-venture partners in Mexico City. The forum will also include an evening reception that will feature a travel fair focused on LGBTQI+ friendly U.S. destinations.
Global Diversity Trade Mission to Africa
August 6-15, 2023, South Africa, Ghana, and Optional Stop in Nigeria

The Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI) Trade Mission to Africa is focused on building commercial bridges between U.S. owned or led businesses from underserved communities and business communities in South Africa, Ghana, and Nigeria.
The mission will help participating firms and organizations gain market insights, make industry contacts, solidify business strategies, and advance specific projects, with the goal of increasing U.S. exports. By participating in an official U.S. industry delegation, rather than traveling on their own, U.S. companies will enhance their ability to secure meetings and gain greater exposure in these markets.
Don't ignore Social Media - grow your ROI with Social Listening and Brand Monitoring

In today’s super competitive landscape, social media is the beating heart of every industry – whether we are ready to give into it or not!

Social media is a critical part of every brand's marketing and advertising strategy, from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. According to a report from GlobalWebIndex, 54% of social browsers use social media to research new brands and products.

And with the advent of social listening, it’s never been so easy for brands to dive deeper into consumer insights and market knowledge, and gain a larger share of that market!
As per its most widely-spread definition, Social listening is essentially the art of monitoring social media conversations around specific keywords and topics – but and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

The insights gained from social listening can help brands stay ahead of the curve, increase market share, and improve ROI. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of social listening, how brands can implement it into their marketing strategies, and the benefits it can bring to brands across all industries.

John Koons, Online Marketing Manager, IBT
Connect with your fellow DEC Chapters!

www.usaexporter.org