National Export Conference Helps Small Businesses Go Global

28-Apr-2011 | News-Press Release

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - The Central and Capital Regions of the Maryland Small Business Development Center are co-sponsoring their first National Export Conference on May 19, 2011 at the Baltimore BWI Airport Hilton Hotel. The conference will focus on removing the mystery of doing business overseas, while providing access to immediate business matchmaking and procurement opportunities. Senator Ben Cardin, a strong advocate of small businesses, will provide opening remarks, and a number of international agencies and businesses will participate on panels that address pertinent exporting issues. Agencies represented at the conference will include: World Trade Center Institute, U.S. Export Assistance Center, Export-Import Bank, Small Business Administration, Port of Baltimore, Homeland Security, USAID, USTDA, OPIC, U.S. Commercial Services, Millennium Challenge Corporation, and BWI Airport Authority.

"Our efforts in assisting small businesses have helped to generate $33 million in sales and create 327 jobs in fiscal year 2010. However, we've learned that in order for small businesses to experience phenomenal growth, they must tap into the $1.8 trillion exporting market which made up 11 percent of the United States economy last year. This means small businesses in Maryland will have to broaden their scope to take advantage of the abundant export opportunities awaiting them overseas," says Kiesha Haughton Smoots, regional director of the Central Region.

Darlene Smith, dean of the Merrick School of Business, said she sees the conference as an opportunity to "restart the conversation" about the export business, which unfortunately has been somewhat stymied by the global recession.

"In a global economy, there is incredible demand for understanding both exports and imports, and how international trade can be a major driver in the success of any business, large or small," Smith said. "Unfortunately, this recession has been responsible for acting as a brake on that demand - in fact it's made it difficult to get out in front of all kinds of viable business initiatives. But this conference indicates that we're coming to life again, and that the conversation is on the upswing. I expect great things to come out of the gathering, and for those who attend to take what they learn and own it in the global marketplace."

The Department of Commerce, along with the Small Business Administration and the Export-Import Bank, are making a big push to help small and mid-sized firms dramatically increase exports. An effort that is part of President Obama's National Export Initiative launched early last year, aims to double U.S. exports in five years and create 2 million new jobs. To finance exports the Small Business Administration is offering a $5 million loan guarantee to small firms seeking working capital, and the Export-Import Bank aims to provide $6 billion in loans for small business exports in fiscal 2011, up from $4.5 billion last year.

"With 96 percent of the world's customers residing outside of the United States, this conference will prepare companies to become export ready and provide them with the tools necessary to be globally competitive. The Maryland Small Business Development Center and its resources partners look forward to assisting Maryland's small businesses increase their share of the international market," says Renee Sprow, State Director.

The Central Region Office, which is affiliated with the University of Baltimore's Merrick School of Business, has been named one of the country's 10 best Small Business Development Centers by Inc. Magazine. The Region also covers 40 percent of the businesses in Maryland, including those in Baltimore and its neighboring counties. For more information about the Central Region SBDC and this important event, visit their website at www.centralmdsbdc.org/trainings or contact Lori Ford at 410.837.5660, lford@ubalt.edu.

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The Maryland SBDC is supported by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development and funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. It is part of the Maryland SBDC  Network - an accredited member of the Association of Small Business Development Centers. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. Reasonable accomodations will be made for persons with disabilities at workshops and events if a request is made at least two weeks in advance. 

 

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