NATIONAL RESHORING AUTHORITY HARRY MOSER TO DISCUSS THE BENEFITS AND ADVANTAGES OF BRINGING JOBS BACK TO THE US

San Antonio (March 7, 2013) – The International Trade Center at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) will host the “Texas Reshoring Conference 2013” on April 17th at the UTSA Downtown Campus. Harry Moser, President of the Reshoring Initiative, a national organization that promotes US based manufacturing, will lead the conference. The half-day event is $35 ($45 after April 8th) and is open to business owners, business professionals and those interested in learning about the impact of offshoring and the growing benefits of bringing back jobs to America.

Moser will talk to attendees about “Total Cost of Ownership,” which is a term he coined for an analysis to determine the real costs of offshoring. Bringing manufacturing jobs back to the US could be a cost savings strategy for companies of all sizes. Other topics will include reshoring as an efficient means to bolster American export sales, to create manufacturing jobs, and to lower costs. The conference will also feature local manufacturing companies that have successfully brought their production back to the US. They will demonstrate how reshoring has been accomplished in the current economic climate.

“For many US manufacturers, conventional wisdom has made offshoring the normal way of doing business. Some companies have this idea so tied to their operational procedures that they don’t stop to consider domestic production when bringing new products to market. Things are changing though. During his 2012 State of the Union Address, President Obama called for US companies to bring manufacturing jobs back to the US. Through this conference, and our partnership with Harry Moser, we are helping to bring more attention to this issue and assist US companies as they rebuild their capacity to make their products right here in the US,” said Cliff Paredes, Director of the International Trade Center.

The International Trade Center is partnering with the San Antonio Manufacturers Association to produce this conference, which will be held on the UTSA Downtown Campus. Registration for the event is open now at www.texastrade.org/texas-reshoring-conference-2013.

The International Trade Center at UTSA is one of the largest and most successful trade assistance organizations in Texas. It helps companies become globally competitive through technical trade consulting, customized market research and innovative training programs. The center is a specialty SBDC program in the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network. Follow them on Twitter (@TexasTrade) and like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/texastrade).

For more information on this event, www.texastrade.org/texas-reshoring-conference-2013.

UTSA STAFF DELIVER TRAINING ON DEVELOPING US MODELED SBDCS IN JAMAICA

San Antonio (February 26, 2013) – The International Trade Center at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Institute of Economic Development announced today that it will complete its four-part Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Counselor and Director Certificate Training in Kingston, Jamaica. The program will help Jamaica establish SBDCs to support business owners and entrepreneurs throughout the country.

SBDCs, established throughout the US by the federal government in partnership with state governments and universities and colleges, assist entrepreneurs and business owners in establishing and growing their businesses through a free and confidential suite of advising services. Services include, but not limited to, feasibility studies, business strategy, financial planning, marketing, production and professional networking. The Centers support new and existing businesses.

Through the SBDC Counselor and Director Certificate Training participants have learned about the US SBDC model and methodology. Individual training modules focused on SBDC business advising best practices, the role of specialty SBDCs (like those focused on international trade), as well as real-world and practical development of an operational plan to guide future counselors and directors on how to manage an office, personnel and funding. This training is part of the International Trade Center and Institute for Economic Development’s International SBDC Expansion Initiative that, with the support of the US Department of State, has been helping countries develop U.S. modeled SBDC networks since 2003.

UTSA Associate Vice President of Economic Development Robert McKinley, and International Trade Center International Business Consultant Barbara Mooney will complete UTSA’s Counselor and Director Certificate Training. The last module runs March 18–19.

“The whole SBDC certificate program has been thought through in detail. It’s presenters are wonderfully clear and everything is supported with documents. Furthermore, it’s easy to jump between slides to the other documents. I walk away clear about SBDCs and gaining in confidence that we can have them in our country,” said Michael Rosberg, Ph.D., Director of the Institute for Social Entrepreneurship & Equity, a subsidiary of the Jamaican Agency for Inner City Renewal (AIR), and operates at the University College of the Caribbean.

The International Trade Center at UTSA is one of the largest and most successful trade assistance organizations in Texas. It helps companies become globally competitive through technical trade consulting, customized market research and innovative training programs. The center is a specialty SBDC program in the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network. Follow them on Twitter (@TexasTrade) and like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/texastrade).

For more information on the project, visit http://www.sbdcglobal.com/index.php/us/international-sbdc.html.

4-PART TRAINING SERIES FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS

San Antonio (February 12, 2013) – The International Trade Center at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), in partnership with the US Commercial Service – San Antonio Export Assistance Center, announced today that it will hold training for international business professionals seeking to sit for the NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) exam. This 4-part training series begins March 28 at the UTSA Downtown Campus – Durango Building. Attendees have the option to work with the US Commercial Service through their Gold Key Matchmaking Service, a program for US companies to meet qualified trade partners in foreign countries. There are three levels of participation for the series; trainees can attend a single module for $225, all 4 modules for $745, or they may attend the full series and add the Gold Key Matchmaking Service for $995.

The CGBP credential is issued by the National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE) International, and has been developed to codify and strengthen the fundamental knowledge of international business professionals. Passing the CGBP exam demonstrates that an individual has a high-level understanding of the following: International Logistics, Global Marketing, International Finance, and Global Management. The International Trade Center pulls together top industry experts in the field to walk participants through these 4 discrete international business subject areas.

Through the Gold Key Matchmaking Service, the US Commercial Service arranges business meetings with pre-screened contacts, representatives, distributors, professional associations, government contacts, and/or licensing or joint venture partners for US companies who are expanding into new international markets.

“Starting in 2005 we were the first organization in the US to provide training for the CGBP exam. Our experience is demonstrated in our higher-than-average passing rate for our trainees of 88% as compared to the national average of 75%. As an organization the we not only have a nationally recognized CGBP training program, but our entire consulting staff has acquired the CGBP credential,” said Cliff Paredes, Director of the International Trade Center.

The International Trade Center at UTSA is one of the largest and most successful trade assistance organizations in Texas. It helps companies become globally competitive through technical trade consulting, customized market research and innovative training programs. The center is a specialty SBDC program in the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network. Follow them on Twitter (@TexasTrade) and like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/texastrade).

For more information on this event, https://texastrade.org/cgbp-series-overview.

For more information on NASBITE CGBP, http://www.nasbite.org.

For more information on Gold Key Matchmaking Service, http://export.gov/salesandmarketing/eg_main_018195.asp.

MODULE 1, MARCH 6-8, 2013

San Antonio (February 7, 2013) – The International Trade Center at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Institute of Economic Development announced today that it will begin its four-module Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Counselor and Director Certificate Training in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. The program will help establish SBDCs throughout the country as well as continue strengthening exisiting centers to better support the development of business owners and entrepreneurs.

SBDCs, established throughout the US by the federal government in partnership with state governments and universities and colleges, assist entrepreneurs and business owners in establishing and growing their businesses through a free and confidential suite of advising services. Services include, but are not limited to, feasibility studies, business strategy, financial planning, marketing, production and professional networking. The Centers support new and existing businesses.

The goal of the SBDC Counselor and Director Certificate Training is to transfer the SBDC model methodology and train professionals on how to manage and operate an economic impact-producing SBDC. This training is part of the International Trade Center and Institute for Economic Development’s International SBDC Expansion Initiative that, with the support of the US Department of State, has been helping countries develop US modeled SBDC networks in the Americas since 2003.

UTSA International Trade Center Director Cliff Paredes and Senior International Business Consultant Julio Garcia de las Mestas will conduct UTSA’s Counselor and Director Certificate Training, which will be offered in four parts. The first module begins March 6-8.

“This is the twelfth SBDC Counselor and Director Certificate training program that we have done in Mexico since 2003. We are very proud to have been involved in the rapid growth and adoption of the SBDC model of economic development throughout Mexico,” said Paredes.

The International Trade Center at UTSA is one of the largest and most successful trade assistance organizations in Texas. It helps companies become globally competitive through technical trade consulting, customized market research and innovative training programs. The center is a specialty SBDC program in the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network. Follow them on Twitter (@TexasTrade) and like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/texastrade).

For more information on the project, visit http://www.sbdcglobal.com/index.php/us/international-sbdc.html.

MODULE 1, FEBRUARY 13-15, 2013

San Antonio (February 5, 2013) – The International Trade Center at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Institute of Economic Development announced today that it will begin its four-module Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Counselor and Director Certificate Training in St. Lucia. The program will help establish SBDCs throughout the country to support business owners and entrepreneurs in St. Lucia.

SBDCs, established throughout the US by the federal government in partnership with state governments and universities and colleges, assist entrepreneurs and business owners in establishing and growing their businesses through a free and confidential suite of advising services. Services include, but not limited to, feasibility studies, business strategy, financial planning, marketing, production and professional networking. The Centers support new and existing businesses.

The goal of the SBDC Counselor and Director Certificate Training is to transfer the SBDC model methodology and train professionals on how to manage and operate an economic impact-producing SBDC. This training is part of the International Trade Center and Institute for Economic Development’s International SBDC Expansion Initiative that, with the support of the US Department of State, has been helping countries develop US modeled SBDC networks in the Americas since 2003.

UTSA International Trade Center Director Cliff Paredes and International Business Consultant Barbara Mooney will conduct UTSA’s Counselor and Director Certificate Training, which will be offered in four parts. The first module begins Feb. 13-15.

“The work we are doing with the International SBDC Expansion Initiative dovetails perfectly with President Obama’s Small Business Network of the Americas (SBNA) initiative, and is helping to make the initiative a reality. St. Lucia is a country that is poised to take advantage of this high-level training, and to create economic impact domestically and internationally,” said Paredes.

In order to create the most effective program that caters to the needs of the attendees in St. Lucia, the International Trade Center has partnered with local stakeholders for this training. Partner stakeholders include the St. Lucia Ministry of Commerce, Business Development, Investment and Consumer Affairs of St. Lucia

The International Trade Center at UTSA is one of the largest and most successful trade assistance organizations in Texas. It helps companies become globally competitive through technical trade consulting, customized market research and innovative training programs. The center is a specialty SBDC program in the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network. Follow them on Twitter (@TexasTrade) and like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/texastrade).

For more information on the project, visit http://www.sbdcglobal.com/index.php/us/international-sbdc.html.

PROGRAM IS PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL SBDC EXPANSION INITIATIVE
San Antonio (January 30, 2013) – The International Trade Center at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Institute of Economic Development announced today that it hosted a delegation from SBDCBelize, a newly launched Small Business Development Center (SBDC), January 22 – 25.

During the 4-day visit, the delegates met with directors and staff of the various centers and specialty centers with the Institute for Economic Development and Southwest Texas Border SBDC Network. Best practices and practical direction was provided to give SBDCBelize the best chance to succeed in creating economic impact in Belize.

“We had frank conversations about the realities of running a high-performing SBDC and SBDC Network. Our South-West Texas Border SBDC Network has been very successful, but it is because we strive to meet the demands of the small business community and prepare our advisors with professional development and resources to provided relevant services. We want SBDCBelize to succeed in the same way,” said Albert Salgado, Director, South-West Texas Border Small Business Development Center Network.

This visit is part of the International SBDC Expansion Initiative, a program to advise foreign governments on how to successfully launch Small Business Development Center (SBDC) networks throughout the Americas. The International Trade Center, in partnership with the UTSA Institute for Economic Development and with the support of the Organization of American States (OAS), the US Mission to the OAS and Caribbean Export, has been helping Caribbean countries develop US-modeled SBDC networks.

SBDCs, established throughout the US by the federal government in partnership with universities and colleges, assist entrepreneurs and business owners in establishing and growing their businesses through a free and confidential suite of advising services. Services include, but are not limited to, feasibility studies, business strategy, financial planning, marketing, production and professional networking. The Centers support new and existing businesses.

The International Trade Center at UTSA is one of the largest and most successful trade assistance organizations in Texas. It helps companies become globally competitive through technical trade consulting, customized market research and innovative training programs. The center is a specialty SBDC program in the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network. Follow them on Twitter (@TexasTrade) and like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/texastrade).

For more information on the project, visit http://www.sbdcglobal.com/index.php/us/international-sbdc.html.

INDUSTRY EXPERTS TO DISCUSS CRITICAL ISSUES OF US–PANAMA TRADE
San Antonio (January 15, 2013) – The International Trade Center at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) announced today that it will hold the “US–Panama Free Trade Conference” on February 27 and 28 in Corpus Christi, Texas. The event is $50 to the public ($65 after February 13) and is open to international business professionals or those interested in learning about the recent US–Panama Free Trade Agreement. This conference is the second in a three part US Free Trade Agreements Series.

Attendees will learn how to identify business opportunities in Panama from leading industry experts and government officials. Presentation topics will include best practices of US–Panama trade logistics and supply chain management, where and how to find business opportunities in Panama, and details of the current Panama Canal expansion that will affect US companies doing business in Panama and elsewhere.

“In February of 2012 we held the US–Colombia Free Trade Conference in San Antonio. Industry experts and government officials from the US and Colombia shared important insights and details on how to succeed in this quickly growing market. Attendee reaction to the event was so strong that we decided to create the US Free Trade Series of conferences to promote new US free trade agreements. The US–Panama Free Trade Conference is the second in this series. We are expecting attendees, partners and sponsors to be as rewarded by this conference as the last,” said Cliff Paredes, Director of the International Trade Center.

The International Trade Center has partnered with the US Commercial Service – San Antonio Export Assistance Center, the Port of Corpus Christi, and Del Mar College SBDC to produce the Conference, which will be held at the Port of Corpus Christi, Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center. Registration for the event is open now at www.texastrade.org.us-panama-overview.

The International Trade Center at UTSA is one of the largest and most successful trade assistance organizations in Texas. It helps companies become globally competitive through technical trade consulting, customized market research and innovative training programs. The center is a specialty SBDC program in the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network. Follow them on Twitter (@TexasTrade) and like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/texastrade).

For more information on this event, www.texastrade.org/us-panama-overview.

San Antonio, TX (December 3, 2012) – The UTSA International Trade Center announced today that they assisted 465 clients for 8,045 total consulting hours during FY 2012 (Sept. 1, 2011 – Aug. 31, 2012). This is up from 426 clients for 7,162 consulting hours in FY 2011. As a specialty Small Business Development Center (SBDC) their goal is help businesses with international trade consulting and market research. Clients come to them from a wide variety of industries, including: manufacturing, consulting, green-technology and many other areas.

Throughout 2012 the International Trade Center published three client-success-stories that detail how their on-staff international business consultants and market researchers worked to help achieve their clients goals in international trade. These stories outline each business and describe the services that the center provided to help expand each company’s reach into new global markets.

The companies highlighted this year are: Guillén International, an international consulting company with a newly formed plant nursery; GreenStar, a manufacturer of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting systems — currently a supplier of streetlights to the City of San Antonio; and USATEQ an international reseller of heavy equipment used in construction.

“Our consultant, Alberto Rodriguez-Baez, is very knowledgeable in international business and very helpful with his research team. The information provided about potential distributors abroad is invaluable. He went above and beyond of what we initially requested. He has kept in touch after our initial project and has provided us timely and useful information,” said Gabriel Senior, GreenStar’s CFO.

2012 marks 20 years of operation for the International Trade Center. It was founded in 1992, just as the North American Free Trade Agreement was coming to life. “We are pleased to commemorate our 20th anniversary by celebrating the successes that our clients have achieved. We measure our success by the success of our clients,” said Cliff Paredes, director of the International Trade Center.

The International Trade Center at UTSA is one of the largest and most successful trade assistance organizations in Texas. It helps companies become globally competitive through technical trade consulting, customized market research and innovative training programs. The center is a specialty SBDC program in the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network. Follow them on Twitter (@TexasTrade) and like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/texastrade). Additional economic impact data will be released in the International Trade Center’s forthcoming 2012 annual report, scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2013.

To learn more about the International Trade Center, visit https://texastrade.org.

For more information on the companies profiled for 2012 success stories visit:

Guillén International: https://texastrade.org/success-stories/330-guillen-international

GreenStar: https://texastrade.org/success-stories/306-greenstar-success-story

USATEQ: https://texastrade.org/success-stories/307-usateq-success-story

UTSA STAFF DELIVER TRAINING ON DEVELOPING US MODELED SBDCS IN PANAMA

San Antonio (December 03, 2012) – The International Trade Center at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Institute of Economic Development announced today that it will complete its four-part Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Counselor and Director Certificate Training in Panama City, Panama. The program will help Panama establish SBDCs throughout the country to support Panamanian business owners and entrepreneurs.

SBDCs, established throughout the US by the federal government in partnership with state governments and universities and colleges, assist entrepreneurs and business owners in establishing and growing their businesses through a free and confidential suite of advising services. Services include, but not limited to, feasibility studies, business strategy, financial planning, marketing, production and professional networking. The Centers support new and existing businesses.

Through the SBDC Counselor and Director Certificate Training participants have learned about the US SBDC model and methodology. Individual training modules focused on SBDC business advising best practices, the role of specialty SBDCs (like those focused on international trade), as well as real-world and practical development of an operational plan to guide future counselors and directors on how to manage an office, personnel and funding. This training is part of the International Trade Center and Institute for Economic Development’s International SBDC Expansion Initiative that, with the support of the US Department of State, has been helping countries develop U.S. modeled SBDC networks since 2003.

UTSA Associate Vice President of Economic Development Robert McKinley, and International Trade Center International Business Consultant Minerva Garcia will complete UTSA’s Counselor and Director Certificate Training. The last module runs Dec. 12–13.

“It has been an excellent opportunity to gain knowledge and skills for conducting long-term counseling that will benefit the micro and small enterprises in Panama. The SBDC program will strengthen the public/private/academic alliance in our country and region, and will enable us to reach thousands of business people to maximize economic impact for their companies,” said Armando Espino, Consultant for the AMPYME (Autoridad de la Micro, Pequeña y Mediana Empresa), the department of the Panamanian government responsible for development of micro, small and medium size businesses.

The International Trade Center at UTSA is one of the largest and most successful trade assistance organizations in Texas. It helps companies become globally competitive through technical trade consulting, customized market research and innovative training programs. The center is a specialty SBDC program in the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network. Follow them on Twitter (@TexasTrade) and like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/texastrade).

For more information on the project, visit http://www.sbdcglobal.com/index.php/us/international-sbdc.html.

UTSA STAFF DELIVER TRAINING ON DEVELOPING US MODELED SBDCS IN GUATEMALA
San Antonio (November 16, 2012) – The International Trade Center at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Institute of Economic Development announced today that it will complete its four-part Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Counselor and Director Certificate Training in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The program will help Guatemala establish SBDCs throughout the country to support Guatemalan business owners and entrepreneurs.

SBDCs, established throughout the US by the federal government in partnership with universities and colleges, assist entrepreneurs and business owners in establishing and growing their businesses through a free and confidential suite of advising services. Services include, but are not limited to, feasibility studies, business strategy, financial planning, marketing, production and professional networking. The Centers support new and existing businesses.

Through the SBDC Counselor and Director Certificate Training participants have learned about the US SBDC model and methodology. Individual training modules focused on SBDC business advising best practices, the role of specialty SBDCs (like those focused on international trade), as well as real-world and practical development of an operational plan to guide future counselors and directors on how to manage an office, personnel and funding. This training is part of the International Trade Center and Institute for Economic Development’s International SBDC Expansion Initiative that, with the support of the US Department of State, has been helping countries develop U.S. modeled SBDC networks since 2003.

International Trade Center Director Cliff Paredes and International Business Consultant Minerva Garcia will complete UTSA’s Counselor and Director Certificate Training. The last module begins Nov. 19-20.

When asked about the importance of businesses who will receive assistance from future SBDCs to the Guatemalan economy, training participant Walter Morales Ríos of the Guatemalan Business incubator Visioneer Group S.A. said: “Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) represent a dynamic sector of the Guatemalan economy that has long-term growth opportunities and high rate of job creation. They are essential to build a formal economy that contributes to better salaries, promote economic stability for Guatemalan families, and the development of our country. The training provided by the Ministry of the Economy of Guatemala and UTSA will help us assist local business so that they become financially viable and independent, which will create jobs and revitalize their communities.”

The International Trade Center at UTSA is one of the largest and most successful trade assistance organizations in Texas. It helps companies become globally competitive through technical trade consulting, customized market research and innovative training programs. The center is a specialty SBDC program in the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network. Follow them on Twitter (@TexasTrade) and like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/texastrade).

For more information on the project, visit http://www.sbdcglobal.com/index.php/us/international-sbdc.html.