Upcoming Missions & Events

South Africa Trade Mission

Hosted by Automation Alley
May 9-15, 2020
Johannesburg, South Africa

Join the trade mission to South Africa and opt to exhibit at Africa Health 2020, Sub-Sahara’s largest annual healthcare event. Africa Health attracts more than 10,000 healthcare and trade professionals from 67 countries worldwide. The majority of attendees are senior-level business executives, government officials, and other key decision makers responsible for procurement.

In addition to medical equipment and healthcare services, South Africa also has a strong demand for the following Michigan-made products, services and technologies: automotive, environment and pollution control technologies, IT and ICT, and renewable energy. Non-medical companies are invited to join the trade mission and engage in B2B meetings outside of Africa Health. 

Included Services: Business briefings by the U.S. Embassy and local trade organizations, customized B2B matchmaking meetings, in-country ground transportation, business tours, hotel, and dinner receptions. Note: international flights are not included.

Financial Assistance: The cost to participate is $3,500 for Automation Alley members and $4,500 for non-members. The mission fee and international flights are eligible for MI-STEP which can offset 50% of the cost to travel for eligible companies. For more info, contact your International Trade Manager or visit  www.michiganbusiness.org/export. 

Reach new customers in the African market
Register by March 27, 2020.

Last chance to register!
Trade Mission to South Korea & Japan

Hosted by the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers
June 1-5, 2020
Seoul, South Korea & Tokyo, Japan

Ready to export products and services to East Asia? Join the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers trade mission to South Korea and Japan, and grow your company's sales in these important markets.

Included Services: Mission briefing, group ground transportation, networking events, logistical assistance, and customized B2B matchmaking meetings. Note: international airfare, interpreters, hotels, individual transportation, and meals not included.

Financial Assistance: The mission fee of $1,500 per company and $500 per additional traveler is eligible for MI-STEP. Companies may qualify for MI-STEP to offset 50% of the cost to travel. For more info, contact your International Trade Manager or visit www.michiganbusiness.org/export. 

The deadline to register has been extended to March 10, 2020.
Register for the trade mission today!

Webinar: Doing Business in the
United Arab Emirates

Hosted by the U.S. Commercial Service
March 10, 2020
Virtual

Join speakers from the U.S. Commercial Service, the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Dentons Law Firm, and the MEDC as they provide critical information for Michigan companies interested in strengthening business relationships and increasing exports to the UAE.

The webinar will feature a welcome address from The Honorable John Rakolta, U.S. Ambassador to the UAE. A Michigan native, Ambassador Rakolta has made it a priority to strengthen business ties between the state and the UAE.

The UAE has a GDP of $377 billion and its geographical location is at a crossroads between Europe, Asia, and Africa. Due to a number of factors, the UAE is an ideal location for conducting business locally and regionally. The UAE is politically stable, boasts a low crime rate, has no exchange controls and low corporate and individual taxes.

Get exclusive business intel on the UAE

Partner Events

Online Marketing Strategies for International Businesses

March 4, 2020 | Virtual

Localized websites and international online marketing are essential tools for exporting in today’s world. But getting the strategy right can be daunting - especially when you are covering multiple markets. Businesses need international marketing strategies to get found, be understood and do business in today's world.

Join digital experts in a review of international marketing strategies: identifying buyer personas globally; which media channels for which markets, optimizing marketing resources, and more.

Attend the webinar or receive a recording

West Michigan Automotive Suppliers Symposium

March 5, 2020 | Grand Rapids

Business owners, senior management, and decision-makers from all tiers of the automotive industry will discuss Finding Opportunity in the Uncertainty. This premier automotive supplier event provides the most up-to-date industry forecasts, latest issues, and trends, with opportunities to network and learn from others in the increasingly challenging and ever-changing industry of automotive.

Register today for this can't-miss auto event

Culture & Coffee: Navigating Japan

March 19, 2020 | Holland

Join Van Andel Global Trade Center as they kick-off the 2020 Culture & Coffee series! Each  session covers how-to’s and best practices for doing business abroad along with cultural nuances business professionals face while traveling. Fresh coffee and a continental breakfast will be served during each training as VAGTC believes some of the best conversations take place over a good cup of coffee!

Topics of discussion include business meetings, gift giving, communication, business attire, negotiating tactics, and more. 

Discover the Japanese market

Webinar: Take Your Business Global with Help from SBA

March 19, 2020 | Virtual

Are you interested reaching the global marketplace? Did you know U.S. exporters are more financially stable and expand faster? Join the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the National Women’s Business Council in a celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day and hear how women-owned businesses have grown their revenues by selling overseas. 

Women-owned businesses represent 42% of all U.S. businesses — nearly 13 million — employing 9.4 million workers and generating revenue of $1.9 trillion. Over the past five years, the annual growth rate in the number of women-owned firms has been more than double that of all businesses.

Tap into SBA’s export programs today

For more information about the MEDC International Trade Program
visit our website or email export@michigan.org.
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