February 21st, 2020: Develop an Import/Export Business 

ABOUT the Workshop

Small businesses looking to increase sales and profit, reduce dependence on the domestic market and stabilize seasonal fluctuations should consider importing and exporting.  With nearly 96 percent of consumers living outside the U.S. and two-thirds of the world’s purchasing power in foreign countries, opportunities await U.S. small business.

Go where the customers are. There is significant opportunity for small businesses to profit through importing and exporting operations.

Do you have what it takes to become a successful international business? Are you ready to make international sales? Importing / Exporting offers great opportunities but requires preparation and planning.

This is a two part series taught by international experts from the Georgia Small Business Development Center, a resource partner of the SBA.

Module I will aid you in assessing your readiness, understanding what you need to know and consider before pursuing an international strategy.
Module II will introduce you to those topics needed to develop and implement your strategy: international pricing and costing issues, proforma export quotations, payment terms, and risk assessment.

The workshops will help you gain the knowledge to develop and implement an international  plan. You will become acquainted with the key components of an effective import / export plan.  The instructors will raise questions you should answer to complete your plan and provide the resources to help you answer those questions.

    * organizational and product readiness,
    * market research,
    * guidance for developing your strategy and marketing plan,
    * promoting your products in target market, and
    * complying with US and foreign regulations.

Fee for Module  I is $50 per person and is taught 9:30am - 12:00pm
Fee for Module II is $50 per person and is taught 1:00pm -  4:00pm
Both modules can be attended as a full day event for a single Fee of $89 per person

ABOUT the Instructors
(one of the following instructors will lead the workshop)

Dimitris Kloussiadis

B.S. in Marketing, University of Southwestern Louisiana

M.B.A. in International Business, Georgia State University

International Trade Consultant

A native of Greece, Dimitris has over 30 years’ experience in international business, in both the public and private sectors and has travelled extensively overseas. While in the private sector, he established networks of international distributors and dealers in the Middle East and North African markets. He also marketed European and Asian products to US architectural, construction and design firms.   Earlier in his career he owned an import business which marketed European women's clothing to major high-end U.S. department stores.  Dimitris is certified as a Global Business Professional (CGBP).

 

Darrel C. Hulsey

B.B.A. in Marketing, North Georgia College

M.B.A, Brenau University

International Business Consultant, Trade Financing Specialist

Darrel previously worked for a large commercial bank serving in various lending and management positions. He also has experience as an independent financial consultant performing acquisition/merger, loan portfolio and credit system analysis for banks. After joining the SBDC in 1992, Mr. Hulsey has worked extensively in the following areas: international trade financing, trade risk mitigation, loan proposal preparation, financial analysis, business evaluations and alternative financing. He is also a Certified Global Business Professional. Mr. Hulsey has been recognized by the Georgia SBDC Network as Consultant of the Year in 2002. Additionally, Mr. Hulsey has been awarded the Georgia State Star award for consulting and awarded a Distinguished Service Award by the Association for Small Business Development Centers.

Mario Gonzalez

BS in Computer Engineering, Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia Y Tecnología

Master in Project Management, Universidad para la Cooperacíon International

International MBA, Universidad Europea de Madrid

International Trade Consultant

Prior to joining the University of Georgia SBDC International Trade Center, Mario was a directoroverseeing the international marketing efforts for two technology companies. In that capacity he builtmarket strategies, managed distribution channels and traveled throughout the Americas to supportbrand and channel initiatives. Earlier in his career, he sold/managed IT managed services,telecommunications, data networks, voice, contact center, mobility, unified communications,enterprise software, data center, IT security & consulting services/products projects for majorbanking/MNC & government key accounts in Latin America.