Iowa Small Business Development Center for International Trade

Debbie Franklin
Debbie FranklinCenter Director

Ames: 515-509-5745
Des Moines: 515-657-SBDC (7232)

debbief@iastate.edu

2829 Westown Parkway, Suite 220 West Des Moines, IA 50266

Hosted by:

About the Center

The SBDC’s International Trade Center was established in 2011 and advises and trains small businesses in all 99 Iowa counties in the area of export development. The center’s director will collaborate with SBDC regional counselors all across the state to provide service, support, and trade-related information to export clients; identify potential small business export opportunities; assist small businesses with compliance; deliver needs-based training to targeted Iowa businesses, including seminars, workshops and webinars on exporting.

International Trade News and Articles

KFC's Explosive Growth in China - June 17, 2011
Governor Branstad to Lead Governors' Trade Mission to China - April 1, 2013
Ex-Im Bank Authorizes $190 Million to Israeli Airline - March 22, 2013
Canadian man to sell house for Bitcoin virtual currency - March 20, 2013
Ex-Im Bank Chairman Hochberg Concludes Successful Business Development Mission in Mexico City - March 18, 2013
Video & Article: Harvard Business School at the Kumbh Mela - March 7, 2013
Iowa Merchandise Exports Rise 10 Percent - Feb. 28, 2013
U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Now in Force! - May 15, 2012
International Trade Group Continues to Grow  -        Read Full Article Here
US-Colombia FTA Set to Take Effect Next Month - April 16, 2012

Workshop Calendar

TBA, Cedar Rapids, IA (map)

Workshop offered by the Eastern Chapter of the International Traders of Iowa. Time is not yet known. More details coming soon. 

To register, go to www.iowatraders.org/eastern/

Quad Cities, IA (map)
SAVE the dates!  More info to come!

See all center events.

Director's Corner

Is OUR state creating jobs and driving growth?


2013 SBA-Visa Export Contest

Calling Small Business Exporters- Tell Us Your Story for a Chance to Win Cash Prizes

If you have a success story to tell about the goods or services you sell around the world and have used a federal government program or assistance to get there, submit your story to the “2013 SBA-Visa Export Video Contest”. Visit http://exportvideo.challenge.gov/ for more information.


Importing Webinar Series

Free online Import Training! You can register at no cost to view any export training seminars of interest on this site.


Go Global Webinar Series

Are you looking to expand into the global marketplace? Are you considering exporting? Exporting is a great way to increase your sales and competitiveness, especially since 95 percent of your potential consumers live outside of the United States. If you want to learn more, register for the Go Global Webinar Series. The series provides you the resources necessary to expand into new markets and be a successful exporter. Register free at: http://go.usa.gov./T37AExporting


Webinars to view on your own schedule

Free online Export Training! You can register at no cost to view any export training seminars of interest on this site.

1.  Are You Ready?   

2.  Market Research

3.  More Research

4.  Costing

5.  Market Approach

6.  Incoterms

7.  Payment Terms

8.  SBA Financing

9.  Website Globalization


Export Training Podcasts

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has a number of podcasts available to assist small- and medium-sized companies. While their topics range from marketing and sales, human resources, and the technology that you employ to keep your business functioning smoothly, they also have a number of podcasts to assist you in exporting, including:


U.S. Department of State: Direct Line Upcoming Events    Go to any of the following links and register for a phone conference to learn more about doing business in other countries. You can also subscribe directly to updates by clicking here and registering.

Go to any of the following links and register for a phone conference to learn more about doing business in other countries. You can also subscribe directly to updates by  and registering.

Opportunities in the Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Environmental Market in the Philippines, May 20, 2013

Building Dubai's Dream: Infrastructure Opportunities for U.S. Companies, May 21, 2013

Visa Waiver in Taiwan: Promoting Travel & Tourism Opportunities in the United States, May 21, 2013

U.A.E. Infrastructure: Metro Project - Department of Transport, May 22, 2013

Burma: Easing Sanctions and Encouraging Investment, May 22, 2013

Exploring Trade and Investment Opportunities in Liberia, May 30, 2013

U.S. Food and Beverage Export Opportunities in the Philippines, June 4, 2013

Uruguay: Southern Cone IT Hub, June 6, 2013

Brazil's Rail Sector, June 11, 2013


RESOURCES FOR GOING GLOBAL

Below are upcoming U.S. Commercial Service initiatives designed to connect you to business opportunities around the world. Please scroll down to learn more about each opportunity.

Webinar: China’s E-Commerce Revolution! A Webinar to Understand Ecommerce Retail Fulfillment in China, May 28, 2013
Webinar: Mexico’s Infrastructure Opportunities 2013-2018, June 27, 2013
ITA Utilizes Free Trade Agreement to Keep US Company Competitive in China;   Reporting a Trade Barrier
Promote Your Products Worldwide, In Print and Online

If you have any questions about these initiatives, please contact your local U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist. To find the trade specialist nearest you please visit http://export.gov/usoffices/index.asp


U.S. Department of Commerce: Bureau of Industry and Security

Special Compliance Topics and Archived Webinars


CULTURAL TOUR OF CHINA 

October 13-21 2013

led by the Greater Des Moines Partnership


National Committee on United Relations with China

Understanding the Chinese Consumer: Tom Doctoroff


CE Marking:  What is it?

CCC - China Compulsory Certificate