Events

Join World Trade Center Savannah for a webinar to learn how the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) helps minority and women-owned businesses grow internationally. EXIM is an independent federal agency that fills gaps in private export finance to bolster U.S. job growth at no cost to American taxpayers. EXIM has a dedicated group of specialists that supports minority and women-owned businesses with hand-on guidance on how to qualify and offers advice on trade finance that levels the playing field with foreign competition. EXIM Minority and Women-Owned Business Division Business Development Specialist Edens Duphresne and Export Finance Manager Aerek Stephens will share how they do it and how you can work with them.

Are you an importer? Do you pay customs duty? Would you like to defer, reduce or eliminate that duty? If so, join us to learn the benefits of the FTZ program, how it can help your business and how you can get started – everything you need to know to grow your business through a Foreign-Trade Zone. The FTZ program is available to United States-based companies and can be established at your warehouse/distribution center or manufacturing facility. Participants will get an introduction to the U.S. FTZ program as well as learn about: - Inverted tariff savings for manufacturers - MPF savings for distributors - Demonstrating the value of your FTZ - Case studies in distribution and manufacturing - Program costs - Supply chain impact - The application process Participants receive 2.5 National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA) Educational Institute (NEI) credits. This program is free of charge, but registration is required. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Antwone Smoak (asmoak@wtcsavannah.org) for more information.

World Trade Center Savannah’s annual Prosperity Through Trade Luncheon will take place on Wednesday, October 20, at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa, 1 Resort Dr. Financial journalist and bestselling author Ron Insana will be the keynote speaker. World Trade Center Savannah will also present the World Trade Center Savannah International Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Georgia Southern University, to a regional company demonstrating excellence in international trade. This award is presented to encourage and recognize exemplary corporate leadership for international business or trade that advances relations between the U.S. and other nations as well as creates quality jobs in the region. This event will serve to highlight global economic development in the region and to showcase the activities of WTCSav and the successes of our 16 economic development authority partners in the Southeast Georgia region. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Interested organizations can visit https://www.wtcsavannah.org/nomination2021/. Thank you to our Platinum Sponsor, the Georgia Ports Authority!

This webinar will review the opportunities, challenges and processes companies need to have a robust export operation in 2021. Blue Tiger International CEO and Managing Director Thomas Cook will lead this virtual program. Topics to include: - Areas for U.S. export- Export supply chain, logistics and trade compliance- Growth areas for export by region and country- Case study- Resource development- Government programs- Utilizing technology Participants receive one National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of American, Inc. (NCBFAA) Educational Institute (NEI) credits. World Trade Center Savannah partners receive a 25 percent discount. The webinar costs $25 to attend. Please contact Antwone Smoak for the discount code and/or registration questions. About the Presenter:Thomas Cook is CEO and Managing Director of Blue Tiger International, (BTI) a premier international business and management consulting/training company on leadership, general management, supply chain, freight operations, port and terminal services, risk management, trade compliance, purchasing/sourcing, global trade, E-Commerce, logistics and business development/sales. In May of 2019, Blue Tiger International won the President’s “E” Award for Export Service, the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. Blue Tiger International is the parent company of National Institute of World Trade (NIWT), a nonprofit, 30+ year corporate training school on global trade and supply chain management based on Long Island. Tom serves as the director of NIWT. Tom was former CEO of American River International in New York and Apex Global Logistics Supply Chain Operation in Los Angeles. He has over 30 years’ experience in assisting companies all over the world to manage their business models, supply chain risk and spend and import/export operations. Tom has authored over 19 books on business management, global trade and business development. He has written an eight-book series, “The Global Warrior; Advancing on the Necessary Skill Sets to Compete Effectively in Global Trade.” Tom is also a veteran advisor, developer and instructor at AMA, American Management Association. Tom is a frequent lecturer and keynote speaker at various management, leadership, transportation, supply chain, insurance and business development conferences and symposiums in the United States and abroad. He is also a professor, teacher and course developer at State University of New York at Stony Brook on Long Island, Baruch College and the Fashion Institute of Technology both in New York City.

Africa is home to six of the fastest-growing economies in the world with a rapidly growing middle class. The continent holds great opportunities for U.S. innovative products and proven solutions. Join the U.S. Commercial Service’s South Georgia U.S. Export Assistance Center Director Todd Gerken for a free webinar to learn why Georgia exporters should look to Africa for their next market opportunity and strategies for doing business on the continent. This program is free, but registration is required. For questions, please contact Antwone Smoak at asmoak@wtcsavannah.org

What are the most important factors to consider when expanding your company, product or service abroad? What resources do you need to export successfully? Join World Trade Center Savannah for a virtual roundtable featuring Expeditors International to learn best practices and build a network of companies that have entered the foreign market successfully. Gain valuable insight on factors including: - Market entry strategies- Export compliance- Tariff rates- Risk mitigation- Destination requirements Featured speakers include Expeditors International Export Manager Air and Ocean Johnny Garcia and District Trade Compliance Manager Sue Upchurch. This program is free, but registration is required. For questions, please contact Antwone Smoak at asmoak@wtcsavannah.org.

This webinar will review the opportunities, challenges and processes companies need to have a robust export operation in 2021. Blue Tiger International CEO and Managing Director Thomas Cook will lead this virtual program. Topics to include: - Areas for U.S. export- Export supply chain, logistics and trade compliance- Growth areas for export by region and country- Case study- Resource development- Government programs- Utilizing technology Participants receive one National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of American, Inc. (NCBFAA) Educational Institute (NEI) credits. World Trade Center Savannah partners receive a 25 percent discount. The webinar costs $25 to attend. Please contact Antwone Smoak for the discount code and/or registration questions. About the Presenter:Thomas Cook is CEO and Managing Director of Blue Tiger International, (BTI) a premier international business and management consulting/training company on leadership, general management, supply chain, freight operations, port and terminal services, risk management, trade compliance, purchasing/sourcing, global trade, E-Commerce, logistics and business development/sales. In May of 2019, Blue Tiger International won the President’s “E” Award for Export Service, the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. Blue Tiger International is the parent company of National Institute of World Trade (NIWT), a nonprofit, 30+ year corporate training school on global trade and supply chain management based on Long Island. Tom serves as the director of NIWT. Tom was former CEO of American River International in New York and Apex Global Logistics Supply Chain Operation in Los Angeles. He has over 30 years’ experience in assisting companies all over the world to manage their business models, supply chain risk and spend and import/export operations. Tom has authored over 19 books on business management, global trade and business development. He has written an eight-book series, “The Global Warrior; Advancing on the Necessary Skill Sets to Compete Effectively in Global Trade.” Tom is also a veteran advisor, developer and instructor at AMA, American Management Association. Tom is a frequent lecturer and keynote speaker at various management, leadership, transportation, supply chain, insurance and business development conferences and symposiums in the United States and abroad. He is also a professor, teacher and course developer at State University of New York at Stony Brook on Long Island, Baruch College and the Fashion Institute of Technology both in New York City.

Join World Trade Center Savannah (WTCSav) for a webinar to learn about working with the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and the emerging market business opportunities it creates for American firms in the energy, transportation, healthcare, agribusiness and information and communications technology sectors. U.S. exporters, consulting companies, overseas project developers and anyone interested in how USTDA creates U.S. jobs through exports should attend. USTDA boasts an astonishing return of $112 in exports resulting from every $1 invested in their programming. Learn how they do it and how you can work with them. For questions regarding this program or sponsorship inquiries, please contact Antwone Smoak at asmoak@wtcsavannah.org

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we approach export sales; however, there are still numerous opportunities that can be managed successfully. This webinar will review the opportunities, challenges and processes to have a robust export operation in 2021. Blue Tiger International CEO and Managing Director Thomas Cook will lead this program. Specific topics will include:- Areas for USA export- Export supply chain, logistics and trade compliance- Growth areas for export by region and country- Case study- Resource development- Government programs- Utilizing technology Registration will be set up through Blue Tiger International. Participants receive 1 NEI credit for attending this webinar. WTCSav partners receive a 25% discount. Please contact Antwone Smoak for the discount code or registration questions.

Join World Trade Center Savannah and Regions Bank Vice President of the Global Trade Finance Group Thomas Matthias for a webinar on trade finance tools for U.S. importers and exporters. Topics will include:- Accessing working capital- Letters of credit- Mitigating repayment risks- Documentary collections- Supply chain financing Additional speakers include the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Export Finance Manager David Leonard, Regions Bank SBA Product Specialist Edie Carroll and U.S. Export-Import Bank Regional Director Susan Kintanar. This program is sponsored by Regions Bank.

The election is over, so now what? Georgia Southern University Assistant Professor and Faculty Senator in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences Dr. Christopher Brown will discuss the possible impacts of the recent election on global trade and what Georgia companies need to know. Join us for this virtual program and contact LeAndrea Mikell with any questions.

WTCSav will host a quarterly roundtable for companies located in the Coastal Georgia region who are currently exporting and/or have a strong interest in exporting. Learn best practices and build a network of companies that are currently exporting successfully.