INTERNATIONAL TRADE DIVISION ANNOUNCES DATES, LOCATIONS FOR ROAD SHOW
Traveling Show Helps NC Businesses Expand Their Presence in the Global Marketplace

RALEIGH – The North Carolina Department of Commerce’s International Trade Division will take its expertise on the road March 31-April 4 to offer support and help inform North Carolina businesses interested in increasing their exports and expanding their presence in the international marketplace.

“The International Trade Division’s Road Show is a great example of the Department of Commerce going directly to the communities it serves to best meet their needs,” said Commerce Secretary Jim Fain. “More importantly, the Road Show offers an excellent opportunity for North Carolina businesses to learn how to become -- and then remain -- competitive in the global marketplace.” 

Business leaders that attend the Road Show will learn about market opportunities for their companies through seminars and individualized consultations with one of North Carolina’s six foreign trade representatives, based in Canada, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Mexico and Germany. In addition, participants may meet with one of Commerce’s six international trade managers, headquartered in North Carolina, who specialize in targeted industries such as biotechnology, information technology, telecommunications, plastics, chemicals, automotive and furniture.

To meet with the international trade representatives, companies must be pre-qualified as export-ready and must register with the Department of Commerce. To register for the conference or for more information, contact Katie Newcombe at 919-715-1855 or knewcombe@nccommerce.com. 

This year’s Road Show has been expanded to include more locations so North Carolina companies will find it easier to attend a meeting closer to home. A daily lunch and learn seminar will be held from noon to 2 p.m. in cooperation with the N.C. Community College System to provide information from successful exporters and international trade experts for companies wishing to learn more about how to grow their business through exporting.

Road Shows Lunch and Learn schedule:

• Monday, March 31: Charlotte – Central Piedmont Community College – focus: Doing Business in China
• Tuesday, April 1 – Asheville – Asheville-Buncombe Technical College Enka campus – focus: Doing Business in Canada
• Wednesday, April 2:  High Point – High Point Chamber of Commerce – focus: Doing Business in Germany
• Thursday, April 3: Raleigh – Wake Technical Community College – focus: Doing Business in Japan
• Friday, April 4 – Kinston – Lenoir Community College – focus: Doing Business in Mexico

In 2007, North Carolina companies exported more than $23 billion worth of goods around the world, an increase of more than 10 percent over the previous year.  Commerce’s International Trade Division assists these companies in taking advantage of worldwide opportunities by providing more than 100 years of combined experience in foreign markets.

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