Company-to-Company: South America Business Roundtable

Join us for an in-depth Roundtable Discussion with the Minnesota companies that participated in the recent Trade Mission to South America. Hear directly from company executives regarding their successful business matchmaking meetings, including immediate purchase orders generated during the mission. They will share their impressions of the real opportunities for small and medium-sized companies in these markets, as well as their strategies for meeting the challenges they encountered. They are eager to share their experiences and answer your questions.

Why Export to Colombia, Chile and Brazil?

The State of Minnesota and the Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG) led a multi-sector trade mission to Colombia, Chile and Brazil from September 8-17, 2013. The goal of this mission was to assist small to medium-sized companies from the Great Lakes region to export products and services.

These three countries represent some of the world's best export markets for U.S. goods. In 2011, U.S. exports to Colombia reached $14 billion, up nearly 15% from 2010. Chile offers a dynamic, transparent and low-risk business climate, and the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement facilitates exporting. Brazil has one of the world's fastest growing economies and in 2012 the U.S. exported nearly $41 billion worth of manufactured goods to Brazil.

Register Here 

Date: November 6, 2013
Registration: 8:00 – 8:30 am
Roundtable Discussion: 8:30 – 10:30 am
Location: St. Paul, 1st National Bank Building
332 Minnesota, Street, Suite E200, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Minnesota Room, (second floor, skyway level)

For more information, contact Rachel Limón, 651-259-7492 or email: rachel.limon@state.mn.us

Speakers 

Jodi Boldenow, Owner/President Jeremy Sizer, Owner/Vice President Industrial Door Company, Inc., dba Industrial Spring Company www.industrialspring.com Industrial Door Company, Inc., dba Industrial Spring Company, is the largest independent spring manufacturer to the garage door industry in the United States. The company was founded by Gerry Sizer in 1974. His two children, Jeremy Sizer and Jodi (Sizer) Boldenow have successfully taken over the company as second generation owners/operators. The company has enjoyed market growth and diversification and supplies the major garage door manufacturers, wholesalers and dealers with all of their spring requirements.

Brian Koehler, President
Koehler Electronics LLC
www.KoehlerElectronics.com

Established in 1991, Koehler Electronics LLC is a manufacturer of electronic controls. Based in Minnesota we use local companies for sub-assemblies and the final product. Our products have been used primarily by agricultural and commercial lawn care companies. We also have a remote hose reel for seal coating applications with plans to expand into other industries. For the agricultural industry, we manufacture precision farming motor controls used with planting and spraying equipment. There are several manufacturers of 12/24 VDC pumps used by farmers. Our product is an add-on feature that allows farmers to control pressure from the tractor. 

David Zinn, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Pepin Manufacturing, Inc www.pepinmfg.com  Pepin Manufacturing, Inc. is a Minnesota corporation located in Lake City, Minnesota. Since 1993, Pepin Manufacturing Inc. has been manufacturing high quality e-stim electrodes and other medical devices in the USA. PMI is the largest manufacturer of electrodes used in the professional, college and high school sports medicine field. PMI is ISO 13485 certified, CE marked, Health Canada certified, and FDA 510K registered for our medical electrodes. Product for Export: Full line of medical electrodes for use in treating pain and muscle stimulation with TENS, EMS and other electrical stimulation units.

Mark Raisanen, General Manager TyloHelo Inc. www.finnleo.com www.amerec.com  TyloHelo Group offers sauna and steam bath solutions in selected market segments through a number of strong brands. Uniting two global leaders, Tylo and Helo, we are the world's largest sauna and steam bath business. Finnleo is the market leader and has the most complete line of traditional and infrared saunas. From entry level portable saunas, to deluxe custom saunas with custom lighting, custom benching and multiple wood choices and styles, Finnleo has a sauna for every taste and budget. Finnleo is Saunatec, which has a history dating back to 1919, when the company was established in Wyborg, Finland. Our parent company produces more sauna heaters worldwide than any other company bar none.

Don't miss out on these other great seminar opportunities!
Registration ends soon.

Value-Added Tax:
Global Refund Opportunities and VAT Registration

Value-Added Tax (VAT) may be the most common tax in the world.  But each year, the vast majority of U.S. companies involved in international business throw away millions of dollars by failing to apply for VAT refunds.

Companies that participate in foreign trade shows, have international branches or sales offices, or have employees who travel around the world know that VAT taxes are a significant cost of doing business in the global marketplace. In addition, the European Union introduced a new set of VAT rules in 2010 that every company will need to understand.

Lorri Hurst, TTM International, will explain the origins of the VAT systems and how they work, what type of VAT expenses are eligible for refunds, and requirements for companies to the new EU 2010 VAT directive.  Topics covered include:

• General VAT Theory/History
• VAT Registration Procedures and Requirements
• Current VAT Refund Procedures and Opportunities
• The Future of VAT Refunds under the European Union 2010 Directive

No matter where in the world that you are planning to sell your products, VAT considerations can affect pricing, promotional and even organizational strategies.  Don't miss this opportunity to learn the ins and outs from a noted industry expert.

About the Speaker: Lorri Hurst is the founder and managing director of TTM International, the only Minnesota-based VAT refund claims management service. TTM International has prepared millions of dollars in VAT refund claims and assists more than 1,100 client companies with the preparation of VAT refund claims. Her expertise is the recognition and recovery of VAT expenses charged in error. TTM’s clients range in size from large, multinational corporations to small, sole proprietor firms located in the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan and Taiwan.

Register Here 

Date:  November 7
Time:  8:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Registration begins at 8 a.m.
Location:  St. Paul.  1st National Bank Building, 332 Minnesota St., Suite E200 (skyway level), DEED Conference Center
Fee:  $40 if pre-registered; or $60 at the door.  Pre-registration is highly recommended.

For more information
contact Jeffrey Phillips
651-259-7493, or e-mail Jeffrey.phillips@state.mn.us

Seminar Co-Sponsors:
Finnish American Chamber of Commerce, French American Chamber of Commerce, German American Chamber of Commerce, Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce.

TTIP and Minnesota:
The View from Germany

Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from Rainer Rudolph, head of the economic and commercial section at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Washington, DC, as he provides Germany’s view of TTIP and how this will impact trade and investment between the world’s two leading economies.  Germany is Minnesota’s top European export market and a significant foreign direct investment partner.

Register Here

Date: October 24, 2013
Time:  8:30 to 10 a.m.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. 
Location: Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., 200 South 6th Street, 40th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Fee: No cost to attend, but advance registration is required.