For Immediate Release
June 21, 2012
Ross Woodstock
Kolt Communications, Inc.
517-706-0001/517-410-7636
Ross@koltpr.com
Pure Michigan STEP Export Workshops to Help Business Professionals Develop International Business Strategies
(Lansing, Mich.) If your organization is planning to expand into international markets, the Pure
Michigan STEP Export Workshops will help you develop business plans to make that possible.
The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) and the Michigan Economic Development
Corporation (MEDC) have partnered with the Michigan State University (MSU) International Business
Center to present a two-part workshop for new-to-export companies. The workshop details are as
follows:
STEP Export Workshop 1:
How to Investigate & Select Overseas Markets
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
STEP Export Workshop 2:
Creating a Market Entry Strategy
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
LRCC Insurance Capital Board Room
500 E. Michigan Ave., Ste. 200
This program has been designed to be equally informative for new-to-export companies, as well as those interested in assessing their current strategies or entering new markets. Taken together, these workshops can form the basis for an international business plan.
“This is a great opportunity for professionals who are looking to explore global opportunities,” said Laura Deierlein, international trade development manager for the MEDC. “These seminars will make resources available that can aid international ventures and help business professionals plan strategies for their export needs.”
The first seminar introduces users to free and low-cost resources available for research, including globalEDGE—a knowledge web-portal that connects international business professionals worldwide to a wealth of information, insights, and learning resources on global business activities.
Participants will design their own market selection tools based on the company's product and individual needs.
Building off the first seminar, the second will discuss different modes of market entry, with separate considerations for short, medium, and long-term export strategies. The market selection tool created in the July 11th seminar will be utilized in this session. A laptop will be beneficial for the interactive portion of the workshop, although not required.
“We’re really excited to be able to offer these workshops to the mid-Michigan region,” said Jade Sims, outreach specialist for business and international trade for the International Business Center at MSU. “A lot of companies are open to the concept of expanding their size and reach by exporting to foreign markets, but they don’t know where to start. These workshops will help companies to find out where their products are in most demand and help them create plans to get there. Participants will leave the workshops with concrete agendas and their next steps in hand, ready to move forward.”
Sims and Thomas Hult, director of the MSU International Business Center, will be presenting during the seminars.
The cost for attending one workshop is $25, or $40 for both workshops. Attendance for both workshops is greatly encouraged. Visit www.lansingchamber.org for more information and to register.
