The Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC), in collaboration with Louisiana Economic Development (LED), is hosting a statewide Step Up to Exporting Summit to connect small businesses with resources and expertise that can help them enter new markets and increase revenues from exports. During this event, participants will learn the basics of doing business in international marketing and find answers to commonly asked exporting questions all in one place.
“Our goal is to increase the number of small business exporters,” said LSBDC State Director Mary Lynn Wilkerson. “There is strong recognition and demand for Louisiana products abroad. It’s important for our small businesses to take advantage of the opportunities presented in the global market place.”
The Summit, intended for new-to-export businesses, will take place in eight cities across the state. Officials from federal, state, and local agencies will discuss the basics of exporting including marketing, financing and shipping. Louisiana Economic Development will also introduce the latest export incentive programs including the State Trade and Export Promotion Program (STEP). STEP is designed to help increase the number of small businesses that are exporting and to raise the value of exports for those small businesses that are currently exporting. On-site registration for the STEP program will be available for businesses ready to expand into new markets.
Local business owners, who have successfully utilized state and federal resources to expand into new markets, will share their stories of how exporting has helped grow their business.
Attendees will have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with representatives from Louisiana Economic Development, U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Export-Import Bank, Southern United States Trade Association and Louisiana Small Business Development Center. An international trade attorney and freight forwarder will also be available for individual assistance.
Event Dates:
Mar 16 Baton Rouge
Southern University, T.T. Allian Hall – Global Conference Room
9:00 am – 12:00 noon
Mar 21 Thibodaux
Nicholls State University, Student Union Auditorium
8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Mar 22 Hammond
Southeastern Louisiana University, Southeast Louisiana Business Center
8:00 am – 12:00 noon
Mar 27 Lafayette
South Regional Public Library
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
April 2 Monroe
University of Louisiana at Monroe, Alumni Center
8:30 am – 12:30 pm
April 3 Shreveport
LSU Shreveport, Library Conference Room
8:00 am – 12:00 noon
April 4 Lake Charles
Lake Charles Civic Center
8:00 am – 12:00 noon
Mary 31 Marksville
Paragon Casino Resort
8:00 am – 12:00 noon
This event is open to all small businesses. To register or for more information, visit www.lsbdc.org. Sign-in starts 30 minutes prior to the event. Light refreshments will be served.
Through no-cost confidential counseling, the LSBDC can help new-to-export businesses become “export ready.” Services are also available for experienced exporters interested in pursuing new opportunities. LSBDC International Trade assistance includes assessing export readiness, developing an export strategy, financial planning, identifying available programs and resources, and international risk management planning.
In 2011, the LSBDC served 12,000 small businesses – creating 1,238 new jobs, 186 new businesses, $127 million in capital, and $48 million in new sales.
About Louisiana Small Business Development Center
The LSBDC is Louisiana’s largest and most accessible source of assistance for entrepreneurs and the only statewide nationally accredited program that provides business consulting to entrepreneurs at no cost. Through a network of 10 centers, the LSBDC provides high quality one-on-one counseling, training and information resources to help small businesses start, grow and succeed.
