The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is now accepting nominations for the 2014 Governor’s Export Acheivement Awards.

The Export Achievement Awards are intended to highlight firms that have achieved significant growth or implemented innovative strategies and can serve as examples to other state firms. Any agricultural, forestry, industrial, high technology, or service enterprise successfully engaging in or assisting in the export of Wisconsin-origin products or services can apply. Applications can be made by either an employee of the firm or organization, or by an outside person familiar with the firm or organization. Self nominations are encouraged.

Learn more and download information on the nomination process. For more information, contact Stanley Pfrang at 608.210.6777.

The Manufacturing Matters! Conference focuses on delivering unmatched opportunities for learning, networking, and collaboration. For 17 years, the conference has raised public awareness of the vitality, strength and contributions of the manufacturing sector, and promoted the well-being of manufacturing as essential for a healthy, vibrant economy.

This year, attendeees have the opportunity to learn about Additive Manufacturing at the Manufacturing Matters! Conference. In addition to a fantastic session led by MSOE’s Sheku Kamara and Raj Veeramani of the UW E-business Consortium, SME is offering an “Additive Manufacturing Certificate Course” at MSOE on February 26, followed by a Certificate Test on February 28 (the day after Manufacturing Matters!) at the Hyatt. 

Manufacturers who sign up for both the Certificate Course and Manufacturing Matters will receive a total of $100 off registration fees.

• Register now for the Additive Manufacturing Certificate Course
• Register now for Manufacturing Matters!

 

In July 2013 the United States and the European Union launched negotiations on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP). If approved, the trade treaty will be the largest trade agreement in the world. What are the challenges and opportunities for Wisconsin companies – both importers and exporters? Find out at the February 12th lunch-time event.

Ambassador (ret) J.D. Bindenagel, currently Senior Advisor to Strategy XXI Partners, will call upon his years of diplomatic experience and share his analysis of trade and investment policy and priorities on both sides of the Atlantic, the potential for mutual recognition of standards, and more. Topics he will touch on include current points of contention and agreement within negotiations, mutual recognition of standards and how these can reduce the non-tariff barriers currently hindering trade, opportunities for increased trade in financial services and investments as a result of the T-TIP as well as benefits to Wisconsin companies.

Our second speaker, Shawna Morris, Vice President of Trade Policy for the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), will speak on the E.U.’s position in T-TIP regarding geographical indications which have been used in the past to restrict the use of what the United States considers to be common cheese names. Ms. Morris will focus on the challenges that this could present to the Wisconsin dairy industry and touch on how the T-TIP could impact trade globally.

Learn more and register online.

As the world’s sixth largest economy, with a population of over 200 million, a booming consumer market, and vast mineral wealth, Brazil is a strategically important market for companies with global ambitions. Familiarity with Brazilian business culture, regulations, and market dynamics is essential for doing business in Brazil. The Brazil Business Summit will explore these issues, providing invaluable guidance for companies working in, or wishing to enter, this complex market.

In recent months, media reports about political, economic, and social trends in Brazil have been mixed. Speakers at this event will offer companies practical advice for taking advantage of the opportunities Brazil has to offer while minimizing their risk. Sessions will address key issues that affect business relations in Brazil, including market entry, banking and credit, legal considerations, regulatory concerns, and Brazilian culture as it relates to marketing, human resources, and business interactions. Representatives from companies that have successfully entered the Brazilian market will share their experiences, and the summit will connect organizations with resources to help them navigate this market.

View the agenda, and register online.

Wisconsin YES! (Youth Entrepreneurs in Science) is a statewide youth business plan contest modeled after the successful Governor’s Business Plan Contest. The mission of the contest is to help young people learn how science and technology innovations can be developed into solid business plans.

Building a more entrepreneurial and tech-savvy workforce is a challenge not only for Wisconsin, but the United States as a whole as the nation struggles to produce a globally competitive pool of workers.  One example is the emerging gap between jobs in the IT sector and the number of anticipated graduates in that field. By 2021, according to the Be Bold 2 report, there will be a deficit of nearly 12,000 unfilled IT jobs in Wisconsin.

This contest will help middle- and/or high-school students to better envision careers in science and technology, and especially where those disciplines intersect with the creation and growth of businesses.

Public, private and home-schooled students across Wisconsin are eligible to turn their science- and tech-related ideas into business plans and compete for cash and prizes. The contest begins with a 250-word summary submitted through the website. Entries that advance to Phase 2 of the competition will expand their idea into a 1,000-word executive summary.

The contest is produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council, with major sponsorship from IBM and WEA Trust.

Learn more and email our team at info@wisconsinyes.com with questions.