International Food and Beverage Trade Seminar

June 23, 2011

8:30 am: Registration and Coffee

9:00 - 10:30 am: Seminar

320 N. Damen

Chicago, Il 60612

Chicago-area companies produce some of the best food in the world, and smart companies know that people all over the world want to buy from them. The markets for many food products are growing, producing incredible opportunities to profitably sell snacks, frozen foods, specialty drinks and deserts, and organic food, among other items.

The Illinois International Trade Center at the Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago invites you to a free workshop on how to sell your food product outside the country. Learn about what foods sell best where, how to look for markets, and what special rules or regulations you may face as you go abroad. With 95% of the world's population and two-thirds of its purchasing power located outside the U.S., you can't afford to neglect foreign markets.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Trade and Investment has offices around the world to help Illinois companies find and access markets, and you'll hear from their staff how they're ready to help you. You'll also hear from the Illinois Department of Agriculture what they do to promote your products and ease global trade. And our own International Trade Center will be with you through the whole process -- at no cost -- to help you find and secure foreign orders and make exporting a profitable part of your sales strategy.

Featured Speakers

Kim Hamilton: As a 21-year employee of the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s International Marketing Section, Kim has aggressively worked with the Illinois food industry in helping companies access overseas markets. She has coordinated various food buyers’ missions from around the world for both the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Food Export Association of the Midwest. She has organized Illinois food companies’ participation in major trade shows around the world. Kim consults with Illinois food companies on export procedures and import requirements and is responsible for educational workshops that teach Illinois agribusinesses how to expand their export businesses. Kim has been the project manager for several USDA Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) projects that help Illinois firms gain access to federal marketing programs and has coordinated advertising campaigns in several international trade publications.

Enrico Doggett: Enrico is the Senior International Trade Specialist for Mexico and Latin America for the State of Illinois' Office of Trade and Investment. His responsibilities also include South America and the Caribbean region. Enrico is fluent in Italian, Japanese, and German, with a working knowledge of Spanish. Doggett assists Illinois businesses to begin or increase exporting, and he works closely with the State's foreign-based trade representatives.