How to Keep Smith Global – No Passport Required

The pandemic brought international travel to a standstill, but Smith’s Center for Global Business was determined not to slow down.

“We got to work, thinking about what our community needed and new ways to keep connected with the world,” says Rebecca Bellinger, CGB’s executive director. “And we found there was so much we could do.”

Here are three things the center took on:

Maryland Business Adapts 20/21: The initiative set out to recognize Maryland-based export companies for outstanding pandemic-era global strategic adjustments, while providing insights to them on minimizing business risk or preparing for sudden changes.

On June 3, the center will host a roundtable with the five companies: Miltec UV (Stevensville), Get Real Health (Rockville), RIFE International (Rockville), United Source One (Belcamp) and Rovner Products (Timonium).

“These firms will offer valuable situational insights to other companies that participate in the roundtable and separately to Maryland Smith students and business students nationwide through open-source case studies starting in fall 2021,” Bellinger says.

International Business Agility Labs: In innovative virtual case competitions, undergrads are learning from global business leaders, collaborating with international peers, and focusing on business resilience to solve real global business issues. Smith students gain exposure to an international firm, work with students around the world, and gain critical hands-on case experience. Each IB agility lab focuses on one functional area of business and includes an optional virtual cultural activity.

“The labs offer so much opportunity that we really could replicate only through study abroad  – exposure to international partners the students wouldn't otherwise work with, a one-of-a-kind format with mixed teams, and internationally sourced live clients,” Bellinger says.

MAPIT Alliance: In a webinar series as part of the MAPIT Alliance, CGB is helping explore big issues in global businesses. Topics have included finding global reach, digital marketing best practices, pandemic shipping and logistics, online market research, and virtual trade shows. MAPIT brings together four key partners – CGB, the Maryland-D.C. District Export Council, the Maryland Department of Commerce (Office of International Investment and Trade), and the U.S. Export Assistance Center in Baltimore.

“While all four partners exist as separate entities, we all come together in this alliance to share information, collaborate for the benefit of companies in Maryland and connect people across our vast network to support international trade at the local, state and federal level,” says Bellinger.