MEDC offers Global Trade Days export workshops around state Oct. 13-17

Michigan businesses are invited to explore export opportunities at five Global Trade Days export workshops taking place in Traverse City, Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Troy and Novi Oct. 13-17.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan businesses are invited to explore export opportunities at five Global Trade Days export workshops taking place in Traverse City, Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Troy and Novi Oct. 13-17. The events are sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. 

“In today’s globally interconnected world, export sales offer extraordinary opportunities for Michigan companies to grow and create new jobs. These workshops will help Michigan companies learn how to tap into those markets and diversify their customer bases,” said Gov. Rick Snyder. “We are looking to extend export opportunities to more Michigan companies and ensure they are connected with the resources to explore new markets, access existing export resources, and increase global competitiveness.” 

Attendees at Global Trade Days will learn about the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) program, which provides direct reimbursements to eligible companies for international marketing-related activities, ranging from market research to participation fees for international trade missions. Nearly 800 Michigan companies have received assistance since MEDC launched the program with companies entering more than 75 new global markets. New export sales of more than $300 million have been reported as a result of the program. 

Attendees will also hear about opportunities and trends in top export markets, services provided by Michigan Centers and foreign trade offices, success stories from participating Michigan companies, and upcoming Michigan trade missions and events. 

Global Trade Days will include presentations from country market specialists from Canada, Mexico, China, Brazil, and United Arab Emirates, who will speak about doing business in those markets. These five countries are among Michigan’s top export markets, and they offer enormous growth opportunities for Michigan businesses:

• Canada is Michigan’s largest export market, and Michigan is the no. 1 state in the U.S. for exports to Canada. Michigan companies exported nearly $26.2 billion in goods and services to Canada in 2013, up from $25.4 billion in 2012. 
• Mexico is Michigan’s second-largest trading partner. Michigan is the No. 3 state in the U.S. for exports to Mexico, with Michigan companies exporting nearly $12.2 billion in goods and services to Mexico in 2013, up from $10.4 billion in 2012. 
• Michigan companies exported nearly $4.1 billion in goods and materials to China in 2013, making China Michigan’s third-largest export market. This was up from $3.2 billion in 2012.
• In 2013, Michigan companies exported $775.7 million in goods and materials to Brazil, making it Michigan’s ninth-largest export market. 
• United Arab Emirates is Michigan’s 11th-largest export market, with Michigan companies exporting nearly $511 million in goods and services in 2013. 

(SOURCE: International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce – http://tse.export.gov/TSE/TSEhome.aspx).

Business owners in attendance at a workshop can also request one-on-one meetings with the country market specialists. For more information on scheduling a meeting, visit the registration links at http://www.michiganbusiness.org/grow/export-assistance/global-trade-days/. 

“Export sales help diversify companies’ customer bases, provide longer term stability and can support higher paying jobs,” said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. “The Global Trade Days events are designed for Michigan companies, to introduce them to the ins and outs of global trade in five key markets and how to leverage these opportunities to improve their bottom line.” 

The Global Trade Days event dates and locations are: 

TRAVERSE CITY 
Monday, Oct. 13, 1 – 4:30 p.m. (registration opens at 12:30) 
One-on-one meetings will take place from 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. 
Grand Traverse Resort, 100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd., Acme, MI 49610 
Cost: $30
 

GRAND RAPIDS 
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 8:30 a.m. – noon (registration opens at 8 a.m.) 
One-on-one meetings will take place from 1:30 – 5 p.m. 
L. William Seidman Center, Grand Valley State University, 50 Front Avenue SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 
Cost: $30 
 

SAGINAW
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. 
One-on-one meetings will take place from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 
Curtiss Hall at Saginaw Valley State University, 7400 Bay Road, University Center, MI 48710 
Cost: $30 
 

TROY
Thursday, Oct. 16, 8 a.m. – Noon 
One-on-one meetings will take place from 1:30 – 5 p.m. 
Management Education Center, 811 W. Square Lake Road, Troy, MI 48098 
Cost: $30 
 

NOVI
Friday, Oct. 17, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. 
Suburban Collection Showplace Diamond Center, 46100 Grand River Avenue, Novi, MI 48374 
All day pre-scheduled meetings 
Cost: Free 
 

For more information about each event and registration details, visit: http://www.michiganbusiness.org/grow/export-assistance/global-trade-days/. 

To view testimonial videos from Michigan companies about their exporting experiences, visit here: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnd4jjRa4RAajjQ_LdiiSibn5CFJoIIAi. 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.