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.

 

 

Hear from keynote speakers Bill Linton, CEO & Chairman of Promega, discussing the history of Biotech in Wisconsin and his thoughts on the future; as well as Samuel P. Wertheimer, Ph.D., Former Equity Partner in OrbiMed Advisors, LLC and Chief Investment Officer of Poliwogg; an online crowd-financing marketplace that matches young healthcare companies with sophisticated investors.Participate in a host of sessions across all the diverse bioscience sectors in Wisconsin; and connect with all of the attendees at our closing reception. This is your opportunity to experience Growth by Association.

Learn more and register.

Over $2.5 billion is available annually in federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Technology Transfer Research (STTR) programs to fund commercialization of high risk, innovative research. Learn how to access federal funding opportunities through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which has the second largest amount of SBIR/STTR funding.

• You will have a rare opportunity to hear and meet with NIH Program Director, Dr. Patricia Weber, presenting essential information about how to succeed at obtaining NIH SBIR/STTR funding to commercialize your research.
• You will also learn how to access the Center for Technology and Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Network commercialization assistance packages including hands on assistance and micro-grant funding supporting you in preparing your proposal.
• Successful awardees will share best practices.
• And, you can sign up for a one-on-one meeting with Dr. Weber later that afternoon. Please contact Program Manager Idella Yamben at Idella.yamben@uwex.edu to sign up for a one-on-one meeting

Who Should Attend?

• Life science entrepreneurs and small companies seeking funding for innovative R&D with an interest in submitting an NIH SBIR/STTR proposal
• Faculty members, graduate students and post docs who are interested in learning about this transitional funding mode to advance your research towards commercialization.  

Space is limited; register online today.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) will showcase the state’s unique business assets with one-on-one meetings with Asia business representatives seeking cutting-edge solutions to their business and economic development challenges. The business-to-business trade meetings will take place October 7-11, 2013.

WEDC is seeking Wisconsin companies to meet with qualified Asia customers in order to increase their export sales through new business agreements.

“Wisconsin continues to demonstrate global leadership in new technology development. WEDC will connect Wisconsin businesses with potential Asia buyers to showcase their innovations,” said Reed Hall secretary and CEO of WEDC.

“Wisconsin’s diversified manufacturing expertise is creating products for biotech and medical research, water and energy, and advanced equipment that are needed in Asia to grow the economy and address environmental issues they are facing,” said Lora Klenke, vice president of international business development for WEDC.

WEDC will prequalify Asia company and government representatives to ensure that they have capabilities in importing, and that their business needs align with Wisconsin’s demonstrated strengths. Those Asia businesses will represent the advanced manufacturing, environment/water technology and clean technology sectors.

WEDC will select the Wisconsin companies that provide products or services in the targeted sectors to meet with the qualified Asia buyers. WEDC will schedule the business-to-business meetings, which may also include site visits.

For more information about the inbound trade venture, contact WEDC Market Development Director Beng Yeap or call 608.210-6888.

Learn more and register by September 16, 2013.