Upcoming Illinois Trade Events and Opportunities

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Illinois Trade Events and Opportunities


 

Below is a list of upcoming international trade events, which our office is organizing or co-sponsoring/supporting. We hope that you will be able to join us for at least one of them.

Below events are updated periodically on our website as well:  https://2016.export.gov/illinois/tradeevents/localevents/eg_us_il_039643.asp 

 

Regards,

 

Debra H. Rogers

Senior International Trade Specialist

U.S. Department of Commerce

Debra.Rogers@trade.gov

Commercial Service - Chicago 

 


Commercial Service - Illinois News

Retirement of Trade Specialist Debra Rogers

Chicago Senior International Trade Specialist Debra Rogers will begin a well-deserved retirement effective January 1, 2020.  Debra has over 30 years of government service, including as a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa and a Country Desk Officer in the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Africa in DC, prior to coming to the Chicago Export Assistance Center.  She will miss the interesting work and all the great people with whom she has connected. On the other hand, Debra looks forward to lots of travel, volunteer work, and spending more time with friends and family.  Please reach out to her via LinkedIn if you’d like to keep in touch. If you have been working with Debra as your Trade Specialist, your new contact going forward will be as follows:

It is expected that we will be able to fill the vacancy that Debra leaves, as well as the one left by Michael Marangell.  For the first of these, please see below.

 

 

Now Hiring for International Trade Specialist!

In addition to Chicago, the U.S. Commercial Service is hiring to fill vacancies in Miami, Phoenix, Portland (OR), and Seattle.  Vacancy announcements can be found as follows:

For applicants with extensive relevant experience (GS-12/13 level: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/552812600

For applicants with relevant master’s degree or BA with 1 year experience (GS 9/11 level): https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/552810400

 

 

U.S. Commercial Service - Chicago welcomes new Strategic Partner

We welcome new Strategic Partner Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global™ (wegg™) to the International Trade Administration (ITA) Strategic Partnership Program. Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global is a nonprofit (501c3) organization offering a variety of affordable and accessible education resources on going global that are created by women for women. It is the only U.S. nonprofit that focuses exclusively on export education for women SMEs. wegg’s mission is to educate women business owners and entrepreneurs worldwide on how to go global so they can run healthier businesses and create a new future for themselves, their families, and their community. Its vision is to break down barriers preventing women from expanding their enterprises through exporting. For more info, see: https://womenentrepreneursgrowglobal.org/  Contact: ldelaney@womenentrepreneursgrowglobal.org

Export News

Application Period for the President’s “E” Award for Exporting Ends January 24, 2020

The President's “E” Award affords suitable recognition to persons, firms, or organizations which contribute significantly in the effort to increase U.S. exports. These awards are administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration.  There are two types of “E” Awards.

  • The President's “E” Award for Exports is awarded to exporters of goods or services.
  • The President's “E” Award for Export Service is awarded to organizations that help others to export.

(Export Service Providers are organizations that help others to export, like associations, logistics providers, finance companies, int’l education consortia,etc.)

For more information on this award please visit www.export.gov/exportawards. The U.S. Commercial Service Chicago staff can also answer questions on these awards.  Applications will be accepted until January 24th, 2020. 

 

Advice for U.S. companies on Preparing for Brexit

The U.S. Commercial Service (CS) London office has created a new section on the CS UK website with resources to help US businesses prepare for Brexit at https://2016.export.gov/unitedkingdom/brexit/index.asp or http://bit.ly/BrexitPrep4USbiz

Local Events

ExporTech - Now Recruiting Companies for Winter 2020 Cohort – Chicago Heights

Unlock your export potential with ExporTech!  Target companies for ExporTech are those that need to develop a more formal strategy for international and would benefit from individual market research. On average, participating companies generate $770k in new export sales. ExporTech saves participants countless hours with individual consulting and custom market research. It eliminates fear of the unknown about getting paid, protecting intellectual property, finding sales representatives, and more. This 3-day intensive cohort-based program is recruiting for winter 2020 and will take place in Chicago Heights. Invest your time in your business to develop a strategic plan for international sales, with grant funding available to implement. For this cohort, Cook County is a sponsor, so companies located in Cook County will be given first priority, but others should apply as well. Please email Iryna Iakusheva at Chicago Regional Growth Corporation, at IIakusheva@chicagoregionalgrowth.com (with cc to Haley.Milan@trade.gov) to find out if this program is right for you.

Webinars

December 10, 2019 @ 11:00am CST: Maximizing Results at Arab Health 2020 – Free Webinar

The U.S. Commercial Service invites you to participate in a webinar highlighting the opportunities for U.S. healthcare industry firms attending and/or exhibiting (at) Arab Health 2020 (January 27-30, 2020). Representatives from Medtronic- Dubai and from the U.S. Commercial Service will discuss the advantage of attending the show, provide an overview of the support you can receive by participating in the U.S. pavilion, and information about regional healthcare trends. To register online, please CLICK HERE  For more information: Mona.Musa@trade.gov or Crystal.Mills@trade.gov

 

December 10, 2019 @ 1:00pm CST: Exporting Mechanics Series – ECCN Classification Numbers – Webinar

Learn about ECCN Classification Numbers and how to use them more efficiently in international trade. This webinar is part of a series hosted by the US Commercial Service in partnership with the NCBFAA Educational Institute, where experts will present exporting mechanics focused on more leading and progressive topics. Cost: $25. Please register online at http://www.ncbfaa.org/Scripts/4Disapi.dll/4DCGI/events/853.html?Action=Conference_Detail&ConfID_W=853&menukey=events

 

December 12, 2019 @ 12:00pm CST: Business Opportunities in the Caribbean Region Webinar Series - Barbados/Eastern Caribbean: Financing your Export Deals in the Caribbean - Webinar

The webinar is part of an eight-part series hosted by the U.S. Commercial Service covering the following markets: The Bahamas, Barbados/Eastern Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines), Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. This webinar series will provide valuable insights to new and experienced exporters who will gain knowledge of the export opportunities in this dynamic region. It is also a venue to prepare U.S. companies for the upcoming Trade Mission to the Caribbean Region-May 31-June 5, 2020 in Barbados.  Cost: $35 per webinar, or $150 for entire series.  To register: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/event/editWebReg.do?SmartCode=0QCY

 

December 12, 2019 @ 5:00pm CST: Opportunities at China International Medical Equipment Fair 2020 via the Corporate Executive Office (CEO) Program - Free Webinar

CMEF is the largest medical equipment exhibition in Asia and covers all aspects of the Chinese medical industry.  It hosts 3,800+ exhibitors from 26 countries and attracts about 100,000 visitors from 100+ countries. The webinar will include:

Brief overview of the Chinese medical device market and guidelines for protecting your intellectual property in China; Information on CMEF 2020 in Shanghai (April 9-12, 2020) with focus on opportunities for U.S. exhibitors; Benefits of the U.S. Commercial Service CEO Program at CMEF;  Q&A session.

Register: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/event/editWebReg.do?SmartCode=0QE9

Questions: Jose.Burgos@trade.gov or Monica.Toporkiewicz@trade.gov

 

December 12, 2019 @ 2:00pm CST: Understanding the Yukon – Webinar

Organized by the U.S. Commercial Service, this webinar will provide an overview of the mining, IT, transportation and energy sectors in Yukon, Canada. 2:00 –3:00 pm CST. Fee: $25. For information & registration, please see:

https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/event/editWebReg.do?SmartCode=0QE0.

 

January 9, 2019 @ 12:00pm CST: Business Opportunities in the Caribbean Region Webinar Series - Guyana: Export Logistics in the Caribbean Region - Webinar

The webinar is part of an eight-part series hosted by the U.S. Commercial Service covering the following markets: The Bahamas, Barbados/Eastern Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines), Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. This webinar series will provide valuable insights to new and experienced exporters who will gain knowledge of the export opportunities in this dynamic region. It is also a venue to prepare U.S. companies for the upcoming Trade Mission to the Caribbean Region-May 31-June 5, 2020 in Barbados.  Cost: $35 per webinar, or $150 for entire series.  To register: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/event/editWebReg.do?SmartCode=0QCY

 

January 14, 2020 @ noon CST: Exporting Mechanics Series – Commodity Jurisdiction – Webinar

Learn what "Commodity Jurisdiction" is and how it affects exporters. This webinar is part of a series hosted by the US Commercial Service in partnership with the NCBFAA Educational Institute, where experts will present exporting mechanics focused on more leading and progressive topics.  Cost: $25. Please register online at http://www.ncbfaa.org/Scripts/4Disapi.dll/4DCGI/events/854.html?Action=Conference_Detail&ConfID_W=854&menukey=events

 

February 13, 2019 @ 12:00pm CDT: Business Opportunities in the Caribbean Region Webinar Series - Haiti: Export Compliance – Advocacy and Trade Barriers - Webinar

The webinar is part of an eight-part series hosted by the U.S. Commercial Service covering the following markets: The Bahamas, Barbados/Eastern Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines), Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. This webinar series will provide valuable insights to new and experienced exporters who will gain knowledge of the export opportunities in this dynamic region. It is also a venue to prepare U.S. companies for the upcoming Trade Mission to the Caribbean Region-May 31-June 5, 2020 in Barbados.  Cost: $35 per webinar, or $150 for entire series.  To register: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/event/editWebReg.do?SmartCode=0QCY

 

February 18, 2020 @ 1:00pm CST: Exporting Mechanics Series – Drop Shipments & Routed Transactions – Webinar

Learn how drop shipments and routed transactions are handled as a supply chain management method and how this can be an advantage in exporting. This webinar is part of a series hosted by the US Commercial Service in partnership with the NCBFAA Educational Institute, where experts will present exporting mechanics focused on more leading and progressive topics.Cost: $25. Please register online at http://www.ncbfaa.org/Scripts/4Disapi.dll/4DCGI/events/855.html?Action=Conference_Detail&ConfID_W=855&menukey=events 

Trade Missions

April 20-27, 2020: TradeWinds Mission & Business Forum - Hong Kong

The largest annual U.S Department of Commerce-led Trade Mission is headed to Hong Kong and the Indo-Pacific April 20-27, 2020. Among the benefits of Trade Winds is the ability to meet individually with nearly 20 U.S. Diplomats from across the Indo-Pacific region.  In addition to your business meetings with potential partners, in-depth conference sessions, and networking events, the U.S. Diplomat meetings allow you to gain first-hand market insight and solidify your business strategy.  For the Trade Winds website, see https://live.eventtia.com/en/tradewinds2020/Home .  Registration is now live at https://live.eventtia.com/en/tradewinds2020/Registration. Questions? Email TradeWinds@trade.gov 

 

May 31- June 5, 2020: Trade Mission to the Caribbean

Organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce, this mission will include the Trade Americas – Business Opportunities in the Caribbean Conference in Bridgetown, Barbados on May 31-June 1, 2020. The mission is open to U.S. companies from a cross section of industries with growing potential in the Caribbean region, but is focused on U.S. companies in best prospects sectors such as: Automotive Parts and Services; Construction Equipment/Road Building Machinery/Building Products/Infrastructure projects; Medical Equipment and Devices/Pharmaceuticals; ICT; Energy Equipment and Services; Safety and Security Equipment; Hotel and Restaurant Equipment; Franchise; Manufacturing Equipment; Yachting industry/Maritime services/Sailing Equipment. The combination of participation in the Trade Americas – Business Opportunities in the Caribbean Region Conference and business-to-business matchmaking appointments in the Caribbean region markets, will provide participants with access to substantive information about and strategies for entering or expanding their business across the Caribbean region. For information and an application, please see:

https://2016.export.gov/eac/show_detail_trade_events.asp?EventID=39668&InputType=EVENT

 

Other Opportunities and Events

 

January 27-30, 2020: U.S. Commercial Service Assistance at Arab Health 2020 - Dubai

Current healthcare expenditure among the GCC countries is projected to reach $104.6 billion in 2022.  As the world leader in health and medical innovation, the United States of America plays a unique, multifaceted role in helping the U.A.E. realize its vision and plans in this sector.  The Arab Health 2020 show is a venue to showcase your products and services to industry players in the region and beyond. The 2020 edition of the event will welcome more than 4,150 exhibiting companies and 84,500 attendees from 160+ countries.  The U.S. Commercial Service will be offering market counseling and business matchmaking programs to U.S. companies exhibiting at the show.  For more information about these programs, contact Monica.Toporkiewicz@trade.gov,  Mona.Musa@trade.gov or Crystal.Mills@trade.gov

 

March 31 - April 2, 2020:  USA Trade Fair Conference & Expo - Lagos, Nigeria

With a population of over 200 million people, Nigeria’s demand for U.S. products and services is growing!  In effort to meet this demand, the U.S. Commercial Service in Nigeria is organizing the USA Trade Fair Conference and Exhibition. The USA Fair presents an opportunity for existing and new-to-market U.S. companies to enter into the Nigerian market, identify market opportunities, establish representation/distributorship agreements, and achieve their export objectives. Engage with over 4,000 of Nigerian pre-qualified and vetted local business owners, institutional partners such as Chambers of Commerce, Industry associations, Institute of Directors etc., and over 1000 business owners from the Lagos Business School Executive MBA Program and Chief Executives Program. Base participation fee of $2,000 include a booth at the fair, and targeted B2B meetings can be arranged for an additional $700, For more details, see: USA FAIR 2020  For questions and registration, contact:  Crystal.Mills@trade.gov or Thomas.Hanson@trade.gov in the U.S., or Benedicta.Nkwoh@trade.gov or Ambrose.Thomas@trade.gov in Nigeria

 

June 1-3, 2020: SelectUSA Investment Summit – Washington, DC

The SelectUSA Investment Summit promotes the United States as the world’s premier investment destination and connects qualified foreign firms with U.S. economic development organizations (EDOs) to facilitate business investment and job creation. The Investment Summit draws high-caliber attendees to help forge connections and initiate business deals.  EDOs are on site to share business location intelligence, as well as pre-vetted potential investors actively seeking business opportunities in the United States, relevant service providers that can help investment possibilities become realities, and C-Suite executives and government officials who can discuss the latest policy and business trends.  For more information, visit https://www.selectusasummit.us/