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Don't miss this great opportunity!
Opportunities for Women-Led Businesses in the Americas Conference
March 10-11, 2024 - Panama City, Panama
The United States Department of Commerce’s U.S. Commercial Service invites you to the Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI) Opportunities for Women-Led Businesses in the Americas Conference in Panama City, Panama on March 10-11, 2024.
Ideal for any company seeking opportunities in the Americas, this unique business conference - held in Panama City, Panama - offers you the opportunity to meet and network with U.S. Commercial and Economic Officers from 17 Western Hemisphere countries as well as key trade related service providers.
Participants will engage in regional market briefings; two networking receptions; four plenary session presentations; two networking lunches, and five export related workshops.
Plenary Session topics:
- Regional Economic and Political Outlook
- Empowering Women-Owned Small Businesses through Global Trade
- How Digitalization is Driving Opportunities Across Sectors
- Using Panama and the Region as an Export Hub
Workshops topics:
- Supplier Diversity and Inclusive Procurement
- Export Finance Solutions
- Intro to International Shipping and Incoterms
- Choose Your Channel: Options for International Sales
- Protecting Your Intellectual Property Abroad
One-on-one meetings will be pre-scheduled with U.S. diplomats and/or industry specialists from U.S. Embassies in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, The Bahamas, and Uruguay.
The Business Conference will be opened by Kendee Yamaguchi, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Field, U.S. Commercial Service and by Mari Carmen Aponte, U.S. Ambassador to Panama.
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Kendee Yamaguchi was appointed by President Biden to serve as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Field at the International Trade Administration. In this role, she oversees nearly 300 trade professionals in more than 100 U.S. cities. She helps U.S. businesses export their goods and services, and attracts foreign direct investment to grow jobs within the United States.
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Mari Carmen Aponte is a distinguished lawyer, civic leader, and the first female Puerto Rican Ambassador. She served as U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador (2012-2016) and as Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs. She was confirmed as Ambassador to Panama by the U.S. Senate on September 29, 2022. |
Why Western Hemisphere?
- 690 million potential customers.
- Time Zones/Proximity.
- Languages (Spanish, English, Portuguese, French).
- Over 43 percent of total U.S. merchandise exports went to the Western Hemisphere in 2022 ($905 billion).
- More than half of U.S. Free Trade Agreements partners (12) are in the Western Hemisphere.
- Deep geographic, economic, and cultural ties between U.S. & Western Hemisphere.
Why Women-Led Businesses?
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy (citing the 2018 Census Bureau’s Annual Business Survey, latest data available), women-owned businesses contributed $2.1 trillion in total sales to the U.S. economy and $388 billion in annual payroll. The 2020 Census Bureau’s Annual Business Survey included top sectors for women-owned employer firms: 1) healthcare and social assistance at approximately 216,000 women-owned employer firms; 2) professional, scientific and technical services at approximately 207,000 women-owned employer firms, and 3) retail trade at approximately 137,000 women-owned employer firms.
Despite these promising statistics, women-owned businesses face unique obstacles in accessing overseas markets, including difficulty obtaining financing and lack knowledge about export opportunities. This event will assist U.S. small and medium-sized business that are founded, led, operated or owned by women to find export opportunities in the Americas.
Cost: $500 per participant.*
* Includes meetings with officers, networking, regional briefings, business conference, receptions, breakfast, lunch, and coffee breaks. Expenses for travel, lodging, most meals, and incidentals will be the responsibility of each conference participant.
Conference Agenda
You can also go to the event website to see the agenda and review the Officers and Speakers bios.
Business Conference Registration Steps Guide
Learn More about Our Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Amazon Wed Services
IHG Hotels and Resorts
Gold Sponsors
IBT Online
Resecurity
Silver Sponsors
Become a Business Conference sponsor today!
Your organization will receive visibility and customized services prior to and during the conference or specific related events. Our events are heavily promoted throughout the U.S. international business community and in the Western Hemisphere region. Your organization will be recognized according to your selected level of participation.
Register Your Interest as Sponsor Here
Or send us an email to Trade.Americas@trade.gov
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