The National Export Initiative (NEI) was announced in 2010 and has become one of President Obama’s top priorities. The goal of the initiative is to renew and revitalize the United States’ efforts to promote American exports abroad.  Improving conditions that directly affect the private sector’s ability to export, working to remove trade barriers abroad, helping small businesses and farmers overcome hurdles to entering new markets, and assisting with export financing are all part of the initiative. Now more than at any time in our history, Americans are selling more U.S. goods and services to the 95 percent of consumers who live outside of our borders.  In 2012, U.S. exports hit an all-time record of $2.2 trillion and supported 9.8 million jobs.

By attending you will have a unique opportunity to meet, network, and ask questions of some of Houston’s key movers and shakers in the international trade arena. Current exporters will gain insight into how to expand into new markets and improve existing exporting efforts.  Business owners who are not exporting will discover what it takes and how to get started.  As an added bonus Colonel Len Waterworth, Executive Director of the Port of Houston, will provide an update on the Port and how the Panama Canal expansion will affect us all. 

Speakers:

Colonel Len Waterworth, Port of Houston Executive Director

Michael Barrueta III, UPS Worldwide Services, International Area Sales Manager

Steve Recobs, Director, U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce

Bill Prout, Senior Vice President, Commercial & International Banking, BANK of HOUSTON, Vice Chair, Houston District Export Council 

Sonia Maldonado, Lender Relations Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration

Jolie Cosman, Letter of Credit Collection.com

Joseph H. Ringer, Senior Export Finance Manager, Southwest Regional Office, Export-Import Bank

Agenda:

8:00-9:00 am	Networking, Registration, and Breakfast
9:00 am-Noon	Program
12:00-12:30 pm	Additional Networking

Please Note:

Satisfactory meeting room temperatures are difficult to maintain.  Always bring a sweater or jacket to ensure comfort.