The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Chicago Community Affairs Program invites you to a Community Development Forum — CDFI Sectors and Investment Opportunites in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) now number more than 22 and represent a variety of banks, credit unions, loan funds, and community based organizations providing credit and financial services to underserved markets and consumers.

You will have the opportunity to connect with banking, real estate, finance, government, and non-profit professionals to learn about important investment trends and strategies used to bring together projects and successfully capitalize growing CDFIs.

The day will open with Rose Oswald-Poels, President and CEO, Wisconsin Bankers Assocation (WBA) describing the CDFI sectors in Wisconsin’s market, and close with a practitioner led discusson on sector based trends in Wisconsin.

On hand to discuss the strategies, products, and the type of financial assistance their teams bring to the marketplace will be practitioners and investors working with CDFIs serving:

• Community facility projects
• Housing loan funds
• Microbusiness loan funds
• Consumer finance solutions
• Small business sectors

Register by emailing your name, organization, and phone number to chicommunityaffairs@fdic.gov. For more information, contact Carol Maria at 262.879.0831 x4311 or Danyale Lucado at 312.382.6949.

Governor’s Conference on Minority Business Development

This statewide conference is in its 32nd year and provides minority owned, women owned, and disabled veteran businesses the opportunity to meet government and corporate buyers, network with potential teaming partners, attend business seminars, and find valuable business resources to help grow their businesses.

Who should attend?

• Minority-owned businesses
• Women-owned businesses
• Disabled veteran businesses
• Business resource agencies
• Agencies and corporations
• Business lenders

Benefits

• Meet with potential buyers
• Network with business owners
• Learn to leverage certifications
• Locate business resources
• Explore new opportunities

Learn more and register online.

 

The purpose of the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin grants are to reduce the marketing, distribution, and processing hurdles in the state’s local food system. Pre-proposals will be accepted from individuals, groups, businesses, and organizations involved in Wisconsin agriculture; food processing, distribution and warehousing; agricultural tourism sites; or retail food establishments.

There is $200,000 in Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin grant funds available. The maximum award per project is $50,000. Grant applicants provide cash or in-kind match equal to or greater than 50% of the total project cost.

Pre-prosposals need to include a cover page, budget template, and three-page project description. Pre-proposals will be reviewed and qualified projects will be invited to complete a full application and participate in an interview later this year. Selected projects will be announced in early 2014.

Learn more and download the grant manual. Email DATCP’s Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Program Manager Teresa Engel or call 608.224.5101 for more information.

Of the world’s customers, 95 percent are outside of the United States. So how can you increase sales and profits selling to them?
 
Whether you are a new or experienced exporter or just interested in learning more about how to expand your customer base in foreign markets, you will benefit from attending “Going Global,” a new collaborative program series of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce and Madison International Trade Association (MITA).
 
The program, moderated by Chamber President Zach Brandon, will include an opening presentation from Ken Wasylik, Managing Partner of E.M. Wasylik Associates LLP, followed by a panel discussion with Paul Treinen, Vice President of International Operations at CUNA Mutual, and Mark Schmitz, Founder and Creative Director of Zebradog.
 
Time will be available for networking and your questions. This program is the first in an ongoing series to help small and medium-sized businesses understand the opportunities and resources available to do business internationally.

Register online, and contact the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce for more information.

The Brazil Business Summit will feature a range of experts – including state trade officials and UW-Madison scholars knowledgeable about this important region – to address key issues regarding the Brazilian business environment, including Mercosur/Mercosul, legal and cultural aspects of doing business in Brazil and Wisconsin’s strategy for increasing business in Brazil.

Why Brazil?

Brazil – the world’s sixth largest economy, home to more than 190 million people and vast mineral wealth – has become an essential market for companies with global ambitions. Familiarity with business culture, regulations, and market dynamics is essential for success in South America’s largest country. Companies seeking to enter this dynamic market must be aware of and prepared to cope with a variety of cultural and structural barriers.

Participant will have opportunities to gather practical information in roundtable discussions with companies already doing business in Brazil and one-on-one meetings with the expert speakers.

Learn more and register online. For more information, contact Katia Bymers, International Trade Consultant at Brazilian Business Outreach.