Free Small Business International Trade Class – New to Exporting
February 27, 2012
KINGSPORT, Tenn. — The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at ETSU and the Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship (KOSBE) will host a free Small Business International Trade Class – New to Exporting on Tuesday, March 6 from 1 — 3 p.m. at the Kingsport Center for Higher Education, 300 W. Market Street, Room #332, downtown Kingsport.
The workshop is offered free of cost, but registration is required.
“About 30 percent of non-exporters say they would export if they had information on how to get started, such as best markets, potential buyers, and export procedures,” said Aundrea Wilcox, senior business counselor with the Tennessee Business Development Center at East Tennessee State University Kingsport Affiliate Office. “Exporting is another way to substantially increase revenue, profits and customer base. Foreign companies are already competing in your domestic market, so why limit your sales to local and national markets?”
Whether you sell widgets or services, exporting can be a viable option to help you gain access to new markets.
For instance, the top four exports for the State of Tennessee are Transportation Equipment, Chemicals, Computer and Electronic Products, and Miscellaneous Manufactured Commodities, but professional services, technology, engineering, law and architectural firms export services around the world every day also.
This course for beginners will address some of the primary challenges faced by those wishing to source and sell goods around the world. In addition, you will learn about assistance available at little or no cost through the U.S. Commercial Service, chambers of commerce, other government agencies and private partners.
This course will provide an overview of the TNTrade Market Access Program (MAP), a new statewide initiative created by the State of Tennessee Office of Economic and Community Development to help small- and mid-sized companies expand into new markets. Information will be distributed on how businesses can receive grant funds for expenses related to export sales and marketing activities.
You will benefit from the advice of industry leaders, who have expertise in international trade, market research resources, and finance.
Presenters include: Iliff McMahan, junior regional director northeastern region with State of Tennessee Economic and Community Development; SunTrust Bank; and Aundrea Wilcox, senior business counselor with the Tennessee Business Development Center at East Tennessee State University Kingsport Affiliate Office.
The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Advanced registration is required and must be received by March 5, 2012. Anyone interested can register online at kosbe.org or call (423) 392-8825 for more information.
It is the intent of KOSBE to be the go-to organization in the Tri-Cities for small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to start or grow their businesses, by creating and developing the right tools and resources and cultivating the right partnerships. In partnership with Tennessee Small Business Development Centers (TSBDC) at ETSU, KOSBE can more effectively serve the needs of entrepreneurs and small businesses. For a complete listing of services, tools and resources, visit kosbe.org.
The cooperative agreement between KOSBE and East Tennessee State University is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA’s funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions or services. SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Additional funding is provided by the Tennessee Board of Regents and the state of Tennessee.
To schedule your free confidential counseling appointment in a private setting by TSBDC-certified counselors in person, online by phone or e-mail call Marybeth McLain at (423) 392.8825 or e-mail, mmclain@kosbe.org.
For more information about the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at ETSU Kingsport Affiliate Office and your Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship (KOSBE), visit tsbdc.org and kosbe.org or call (423) 392.8825. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook, Kosbe – The Small Business Connection, Twitter, @KOSBEConnection, LinkedIn group, KOSBE — The Small Business Connection and our YouTube Channel, KOSBEConnection.
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