UMD’s Smith School to Offer Export Workshops

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (DEC. 6, 2016) — Business leaders with global aspirations can learn cross-border trade strategies in a five-part workshop series from the Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business.

The Industry Professional Workshop Series in Export Management, supported by the Maryland Department of Commerce, will start Jan. 12, 2017, at the University of Maryland BioPark in Baltimore, Md.

“The biggest challenge for companies going global is knowing exactly how to do it, and this workshop series will arm business leaders and entrepreneurs alike with the tools they need to bring their goods and services to new markets abroad,” said Rebecca Bellinger, director of the Office of Global Initiatives that houses the school’s CIBER program.

Bellinger said the mission of the U.S. Department of Education grant that partially funds the school’s CIBER program is to increase the capacity of U.S. businesses to compete in a global marketplace. “When a U.S. company knows how to export through the proper channels, in the right markets and under the best terms, that can bring not only benefit to the company's bottom line but also create jobs and contribute to economic growth in the country,” she said.

Andrew Kreinik, regional manager of India, Australia and South East Asia at the Office of International Investment & Trade within the Maryland Department of Commerce, said the workshops will target those who are either new to export or want to improve their expertise. “It is rare to find this range of classes available to business owners and professionals,” he said. “They will be of tremendous value in helping to develop successful international business strategies.”    

Participants will gain concrete tools focused on market analysis and evaluation frameworks, strategies for international distribution, terms of sale, financial risk, logistics, IP protection, export compliance, trade barriers and free trade zones.

The workshop series will be taught by Gary Cohen, the Smith School associate dean for the Office of Executive Programs and clinical professor of logistics, business and public policy. Participants may attend individual sessions or register for the entire series at a discounted rate. Scholarships are also available.

Workshop modules include:

Jan. 12 — Resources for market analysis and evaluation

Feb. 2 — Strategies for international distribution and international sales channels

Mar. 2 — Terms of sale and incoterms

Apr. 6 — Terms of payment, trade barriers and free-trade zones

May 18 — Logistics and how to get product to international markets

For more information, visit: go.umd.edu/export.