Export Financing Roundtable  

Do you need export financing or working capital for export operations? Don’t miss this unique opportunity to speak with representatives of the U.S. Small Business Administration and MassDevelopment about the various government programs designed to help your company finance its export transactions and provide it with the capital necessary to grow its export operations.

This roundtable will discuss numerous financing resources for U.S. exporters. Included will be information on tools such as export credit insurance that can help exporters to assess and mitigate the risks associated with selling internationally.  

Speakers:
- Eric Hunter, Vice President of MassDevelopment
- John Joyce, Export Finance Manager & Acting Director of the U.S. Export Assistance Center   

Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Time: Registrations 8:30 a.m.; Program 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Location: State Transportation Building, Conference Rooms 5&6, Boston (directions)
Cost: No charge, but pre-registration is required
Contact: Massachusetts Export Center at 617-973-8664. Register online with link below.

> Register online

Export Regulatory Compliance Update

Many exporters are well aware of the need to be compliant with U.S. export regulations. As the regulations become increasingly complex and more aggressively enforced, however, most firms are quickly finding that a mere awareness of export compliance issues is not enough. Companies that don’t take a proactive and preemptive approach to export compliance will fall behind the curve on regulatory changes, leaving themselves open to noncompliance and possible enforcement action.

This seminar will provide the latest information on export regulatory trends, with a focus on current compliance issues. The seminar will feature experts from private industry and government discussing the following issues: the impact of recent and pending export regulatory changes; the current political climate and renewal of the Export Administration Act; enforcement trends; impact of the recent Census AES regulations on export clearance and enforcement; ensuring compliance when working with freight forwarders; sanctions compliance and more. The seminar will conclude with a panel discussion providing best practices and solutions for compliance program development in a number of different areas, including: EAR/ITAR commodity jurisdiction; export control classification; licensing; U.S. export compliance in a multinational organization; deemed export compliance; denial screening; recordkeeping and more. The seminar will be followed by a networking reception.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear the latest on export compliance issues and trends from some of the area’s leading exporters and compliance experts! Early registration is strongly encouraged.

Speakers:
  - Brian Amero, Director of Global Compliance and Regulatory Affairs at Teradyne, Inc.
  - Larry Disenhof, Group Director, Export Compliance and Government Relations at
    Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
  - Paul DiVecchio, Principal of DiVecchio & Associates
  - Barry Hurewitz, Partner at  WilmerHale
  - John McKenna, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Commerce,
    Bureau of Industry & Security, Office of Export Enforcement
  - Ronald Meltzer, Partner at WilmerHale
  - Stephen Powell, Director of Export Compliance with C.H. Powell Company
  - Robert Rawls, Outbound Program Manager with U.S. Customs and Border Protection
  - James Rourke, Director of Export/Import Operations at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems
  - Misty Rutter, Director of Worldwide Trade Compliance at 3Com Corporation
  - Robert Ventura, General Counsel at Metso USA, Inc.
  - Additional special guest speakers to be announced soon!

Date: Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Time: Registration 8:30 a.m.; Program & Reception 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Offices of WilmerHale, Boston (directions)
Cost: $175 includes seminar materials, breakfast, lunch and networking reception; does not include parking. A special discounted price of $125 is available to members of the Compliance Alliance.
Contact: Massachusetts Export Center at 617-973-8664. Register online with link below.

> Register online

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Sales and Marketing Basics

*Sorry, this seminar is full*

So, you’ve already started your business, but nobody is calling, and nobody is buying (or they aren’t buying enough!). This workshop provides an overview and orientation to basic marketing concepts, strategies and tactics. You will learn about developing marketing strategies, conducting research, establishing pricing, the meaning of “branding”, distribution channels, advertising, public relations, and most importantly, ideas for maximizing awareness and sales.

Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Copley Square Library, 700 Boylston Street, Mezzanine Conference Room, Boston
Cost: Free
Contact: Boston Regional Office & Minority Business Center at 617-287-7750.

Cosponsored by the Kirstein Business Library

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create-a-strategy Marketing

Without a marketing strategy, you’re fishing without a pole! Learn to create a seven sentence marketing strategy that informs and drives your marketing campaigns, media selection, messaging and marketing budget. Learn how to delight the few to attract the many, and how to target your niche.

Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009   
Time: 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Location: MSBDC Berkshire Regional Office, 75 North Street, Suite 360, Pittsfield (directions)
Cost: $35
Contact: Nancy Bergmann at 413-499-0933. Register online with link below.

> Register online

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 Your Business Plan

Developing a winning business plan can be invaluable as a management planning tool.  It can also be modified to be used as a loan proposal that is presented to bankers or investors.  The business plan becomes the blueprint that an entrepreneur can follow to avoid the pitfalls that await every small business owner.  This program is designed to guide the participants on a step by step journey to develop a thorough and comprehensive Business Plan.  It will reduce the difficulty of this extremely important process. Speakers include: Paul McGrath, partner with Bollus Lynch; Michael Holbrook, senior business advisor at the Central Mass Regional SBDC; and a banker. 

Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009
Time: Registration 8:45 am; Program 9:00 AM - Noon
Location: Grace Conference Room, Higgins University Center at Clark University, Worcester (directions)
Cost: $39 - prepayment required to reserve a space
Contact: MSBDC at Clark University 508-793-7615 or via email at sbdc@clarku.edu or register online with link below.

> Register online

Cosponsored by Fidelity Brokerage and Webster Five Cents Savings 

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Export Logistics and Regulatory Compliance Certificate Series

In today’s complex export environment, regulatory compliance and traditional logistical issues are inextricably linked. Simple logistical mistakes may have repercussions that can lead to noncompliance with U.S. export regulations and foreign customs requirements. Companies that don’t take a holistic approach to all of these issues will leave themselves open to fines, customs seizures, delays, and possible enforcement action.

Our four-part Export Logistics and Regulatory Compliance Certificate Series is designed to provide exporters with a comprehensive, working understanding of the day-to-day mechanics of international trade while focusing on the latest trends and requirements essential to achieving full compliance. The series will provide helpful tips, tools and practices that businesses can use to optimize their export operations. Participants who complete the entire four-part series will receive a certificate of completion issued by the Massachusetts Export Center.

Dates: Tuesdays: October 27, November 3, 10, 17, 2009
Time: Registration 8:30 a.m.; Program 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Karl Weiss Education & Conference Center, Westboro (directions)
Cost: $450 for the entire series or $130 per individual session. Discounted pricing of $400 for entire series or $110 per individual session is available to members of the Compliance Alliance. Fee includes breakfast, lunch and seminar materials.
Contact: Massachusetts Export Center's Central Mass Office at
508-929-8844. Register online with link below.

> Register online

Export Logistics, Classification & Incoterms (October 27)

This seminar is designed to help companies understand the basic steps and tools in the export process. It will focus on the fundamentals of export logistics, including product and tariff classification, Incoterms 2000, international shipping procedures, customs clearance, working with freight forwarders, packaging, cargo insurance and duty drawback.

Speakers:
  - Richard Bridges, Vice President of Roanoke Trade Services, Inc.
  - Robert Kenneally, Director, National Account Development at C.H. Powell Company
  - Herbert Lynch, Partner at Sullivan & Lynch, PC
  - Thomas Miaskiewicz, Associate at Sullivan & Lynch, PC
  - Maurice Mitchell, International Account Manager with UPS Worldwide Services

Export Documentation & Shipping Under Free Trade Agreements (November 3)

This hands-on seminar will guide participants through the process of completing major export documents, such as Commercial Invoices, Certificates of Origin and others. The seminar will also discuss the new Census Bureau regulations requiring exporters to file their information via the Automated Export System (AES) and will review AES filing requirements step-by-step. Accurate valuation of export shipments, including special cases such as warranties and repairs, will also be discussed. Finally, the seminar will review new and existing U.S. free trade agreements that provide dutyfree access to many countries for U.S. exporters. The seminar will review documentation and procedures for shipping under free trade agreements and will discuss eligibility under rules of origin, preference criteria, tariff shifts, regional value content and more.

Speakers:
  - Herbert Lynch, Partner at Sullivan & Lynch, PC
  - Thomas Miaskiewicz, Associate at Sullivan & Lynch, PC
  - Maurice Mitchell, International Account Manager with UPS Worldwide Services

Export Regulatory Compliance (November 10)

This seminar will walk participants step-by-step through U.S. export control requirements while focusing on special issues and areas of concern for exporters. The program will provide an overview of export regulations, including their scope and structure, as well as the various government authorities responsible for developing and enforcing regulatory policy. The seminar will then review the specific steps necessary to achieve compliance, including: denied party screening, embargoes, anti-boycott controls, commodity jurisdiction, product controls, ECCN classification, deemed exports and export licensing procedures. The seminar will also discuss export clearance and enforcement trends, recordkeeping obligations and compliance programs.

Speakers:
  - Julie Aleman, Senior Account Executive at Kazakis International Company, LLC
  - Nick Kazakis, Senior Account Executive at Kazakis International Company, LLC
  - Patricia Kazakis, President of Kazakis International Company, LLC
  - John McKenna, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Commerce,
    Office of Export Enforcement

Best Practices for Developing Export Procedures & Compliance Programs (November 17)

This seminar will feature speakers from some of the area’s leading exporting firms to share best practices for developing export procedures and compliance programs. Guest speakers will provide tips and information on their practices across several different areas, including: selecting and working with freight forwarders; handling routed freight transactions; product classification and classification tracking; order entry and screening; documentation and recordkeeping. The seminar will also provide an overview of export compliance programs, including basic elements and other relevant issues such as customization, implementation and maintenance.

Speakers:
  - Cidalia Bernardes, Global Customer Service & Compliance Manager at Aspect Medical Systems
  - Kenneth Delaporta, Director of Operations and Export Compliance at The MathWorks
  - Natascha Finnerty, Principal of DL Exports International
  - Kenneth Harris, Managing Partner of MK Data Services
  - Roxana Palomo, Account Specialist, Asia Pacific Export at Bose Corporation

Dates: Tuesdays: October 27, November 3, 10, 17, 2009
Time: Registration 8:30 a.m.; Program 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Karl Weiss Education & Conference Center, Westboro (directions)
Cost: $450 for the entire series or $130 per individual session. Discounted pricing of $400 for entire series or $110 per individual session is available to members of the Compliance Alliance. Fee includes breakfast, lunch and seminar materials.
Contact: Massachusetts Export Center's Central Mass Office at
508-929-8844. Register online with link below.

> Register online

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* 2010 *