Together, Let's Go, Go, Go Global! Final Call for Tickets!

Join us in person tomorrow, Friday, October 24th in Chicago at the 10th Annual Global Small Business Forum, "Playing to Win in the Global Marketplace," hosted at Foley & Lardner and sponsored by Associated Bank – from 8:00-11:30 AM CT.

Why just look at this lineup of amazing speakers!

1. Ellen Wheeler, Partner and Litigation Attorney, Foley & Lardner LLP
2. Sebastien Villon, Managing Partner, BBInc
3. Jamie Shah, President, Chem-Impex International
4. Marc Schulman, President, The Eli's Cheesecake Company
5. Angie Kappel, VP, FX, Associated Bank
6. Ken Wasylik, Managing Director, E.M. Wasylik Associates
7. Mikę Sankowski, VP, FX, Associated Bank (Moderator)
8. Dave Shogren, President and Co-Owner, US International Foods, LLC
9. Ashley S.H. Moy, President, Cast21
10. Chris R. Straw, Founder and President, Team Quality Services
11. Richard Paullin, Executive Director, International Trade Association of Greater Chicago
12. Nancy McHenry, COO, Wigeteer 

They are going to rock the house with their knowledge and grit on what it takes to go global.  To learn more and to purchase tickets, visit: https://globalsmallbusinessforum.com/

I'll [Laurel Delaney] will be there.  Hope to see you, too!

FINAL CALL: 9th Annual Global Small Business Forum 10/18/24 in Chicago!

©2024 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Ready.  Set.  Let's go global!  There is still time to sign up for the biggest and best 9th Annual Global Small Business Forum, "Global Success Within Reach – The Bigger Picture," held in Chicago on Friday, October 18th from 8:00-11:30 AM CT.  Hear from a cast of experienced speakers who know the ins and outs to global expansion.

Our cast of speakers – like an Academy Award lineup but for experts and business owners who drive results through global expansion – is as follows:

• Angie Kappel, VP Foreign Exchange, Capital Markets, Associated Bank
• Tami Lange, Founder and President, Save the Girls
• Ellen Wheeler, Partner and Litigation Attorney, Foley & Lardner LLP
• Marc Schulman, President, The Eli's Cheesecake Company
• Amy Mills, Owner and President, 17th Street Barbecue
• Donald J. Lloyd, Senior VP, Manager:  Capital Markets – Foreign Exchange, Rate Swaps and Commodity Derivatives, Associated Bank (Moderator)
• Kirk Samson, Global Business Leader, Co-Founder, Samson Worldwide LLC and Global Business Consultant
• Richard Paullin, Executive Director, International Trade Association of Greater Chicago
• Yvette Laugier, Chairman Emeritus, Housewares Association Board of Directors
• Diamond Young, AVP Foreign Exchange | Capital Markets, Associated Bank
• Rajiv Khatau, Managing Director, LODAAT Pharma
• Valarie King-Bailey, CEO, OnShore Technology Group, Inc. 

Forum is sponsored by Associated Bank and hosted by Foley & Lardner.  

To learn more and to register, visit: https://globalsmallbusinessforum.com/.  I [Laurel Delaney] hope to see you there!

#successwithinreach

8th Annual Global Small Business Forum 10/20/23

©2023 Global TradeSource, Ltd.  All rights reserved.

🌍 🌎 🌏 Let's take on the world 10/20/23! 🌍 🌎 🌏 

Registration is OPEN for our 8th Annual Global Small Business Forum (https://bit.ly/3PyjTv0) brought to you by lead sponsor Associated Bank and hosted by Foley Lardner.  Full disclosure:  I [Laurel Delaney] serve as the Director for the Forum.  We can't wait to see you Friday, October 20 from 8:00 AM CT – 11:30 AM CT.  Fans, supporters and global enthusiast have already signed up – because we are a sure thing – and 3 companies have secured vendor tables. Grab your ticket before we reach maximum capacity.

The theme this year is: Navigate Turbulence in the Global Marketplace (#navigateturbulenceintheglobalmarketplace).

Representation will be from all over the world due to the hybrid approach (option to attend in person #Chicago or remotely). We cherish diversity of thought and a rich exchange of information and that we guarantee you will experience. 

Associated Bank is our lead (Gold) sponsor. We thank them for their continued support.

Foley & Lardner LLP provides innovative legal services to businesses and is the host for the program – grateful to their support as well.

  

Now to the speakers, the people who will make our event rock! The following speakers have an amazing background in international trade, some are even #export-award winners:

• Bill McHenry, President, Widgeteer, Inc.
• Angie Kappel, VP Foreign Exchange, Capital Markets, Associated Bank
• Cathy Koch, Founder and CEO, K-Tec Systems
• Tom Dustman, International Sales Director, Sunnen Products Company
• Ellen Wheeler, Partner and Litigation Attorney, Foley & Lardner LLP
• Lori Novak, VP Foreign Exchange, Capital Markets, Associated Bank
• Ahmad Murrar, Litigation Associate, Foley & Lardner LLP (Moderator)
• Susan Walters-Flood, Chief Operating Officer, The Planting Hope Company
• Donald J. Lloyd, Senior VP, Manager: Capital Markets – Foreign Exchange, Rate Swaps and Commodity Derivatives, Associated Bank (Moderator)
• Lu Holter, Owner, Croix Valley Foods
• Richard Paullin, Executive Director, ITAGC
• Marc Schulman, President, Eli's Cheesecake Company

Topics covered:

–  How to get paid and avoid risks associated with foreign exchange fluctuations?

–  The value of EXIM bank financing.

–  What grants are available to businesses for international expansion?

–  The ins and outs to sourcing and importing.

–  Which overseas markets are right for you and how to figure it out?

–  Strategies for ingredient protection on food products.

–  Best practices in the area of post-pandemic recovery.

–  What does Made in U.S.A. mean to the world?

–  How to find customers and ship products worldwide.

–  What's involved to export foods products (e.g., labelling and regulatory issues)?

–  Strategies for working effectively across different cultures to form productive relationships with diverse clients.

Visit the website for more details and to register: https://bit.ly/3PyjTv0.

Our forum is known for attracting and featuring business owners who are #exporting or are about to #goglobal, incredible networking, and the exciting raffle of prizes at the end.  The prizes alone draw people to the event 😂!

Can't wait to connect with you in October 20th!  Together, let's take on the world!

Note to our readers:  Thanks to your readership, we have surpassed 150K views to our blog in September!

The One and Only How She Went Global® Podcast: Hosted by Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global®

Never heard of the How She Went Global® podcast?  Well now is your chance to learn more.  

Every month Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global® (wegg®) features a successful woman entrepreneur and business owner who shares her stories about going global, and offers new ways to take on the world, stay inspired and have fun!  This month is no different.  But let's talk first about empowerment before we get to the podcast.

Sisterhood.  Celebrating each other.  Pushing boundaries.  Owning your power.  Being confident.  Inclusive.  Kind.  Positive.  These are all the qualities that makeup the wegg presenters, interviewees and fan base.

Lisa Sun (left), CEO and founder, GRAVITAS, fits right in on the latest How She Went Global podcast, episode #30, "Catalyzing Confidence for Women Through Fashion," dropped yesterday, 8/15/23:

https://bit.ly/3YAhyWi.

In the interview, Lisa talks about:  

• What it means to be on a mission to catalyze confidence.
• How her clothes are made and sold.
• What percentage of her business is international, and ...
• Why she wrote the book "GRAVITAS: The 8 Strengths That Redefine Confidence."

Strong women like Lisa Sun have the power to shape the world (and she will!).  Tap into her confidence and experience taking a business global by listening to the podcast:  https://bit.ly/3YAhyWi.

Speaking of people and companies making a difference; wegg is grateful to its sponsors for generously supporting the How She Went Global podcast::  Bluedog Design and Associated Bank.

One other detail.  You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify or Podomatic.  That way, you won't ever miss one.

Only 3 Days Left to Register for the Biggest and Best Global Small Business Forum on the Planet

©2022 Global TradeSource, Ltd.  All rights reserved.

Don't miss the biggest and best 7th Annual Global Small Business Forum on the planet held virtually this Friday, October 21st from 8:00AM-11:30AM CT.  The theme is:  #rebootyourbusinessforglboalgrowth.  Register NOW!

Lead (Gold) sponsor is Associated Bank with support from Foley & Lardner.

Below is a listing of the speakers.  If you look at the graphic above with the circle, follow top left clockwise.  

• Steve Greenspon (top left), Chief Executive Officer, Honey-Can-Do International
• Michael Jones, Michael A. Jones, II., International Sales Division Leader, Avlon Industries, Inc. 
• Shital Daftari, Founder and CEO, Saris and Things & SNT Biotech 
• Tom Britz (lower right), President and CEO, Glacier Hops Ranch 

Additional speakers who are also award-winning exporters (look at graphic in the lower area):

• David Kniepkamp (bottom left), President and CEO, Smart Controls LLC (lower left)
• Amy Bosco, Director of Global Business Development, Beekley Medical (lower right)

Speakers will discuss how they are leveraging the lessons from the global pandemic, the war in Ukraine, high inflation, global supply chain challenges, and a rise in interest rates – all while still growing and focusing on the future of global business.  During panel discussions you will learn their best-kept secrets to driving results for a business.

Special guests include, but are not limited to:  Marc Schulman, President of The Eli's Cheesecake Company and Richard Paullin, Executive Director, International Trade Association of Greater Chicago.  We've also invited Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot.

Full lineup of speakers can be found here.

Added to our list of specialness, is e-vendor, Boomerang Carnets.  They've supported us before and we look forward to working with them again this year during our breakout rooms.  

We also have Il SBDC International Trade Center, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as a supporting organization this year.

Tickets run from $10 (student ticket), to $20 (general ticket), to $200 (ticket and one e-vendor table). 

Visit the website for more details and to register: https://globalsmallbusinessforum.com.  Network like crazy, learn what it takes to thrive in the global marketplace, and walk away with new insights to bring your business to new heights.

Note: The forum is also known for its fun raffle prizes at the end. Who knew by attending that you could potentially win a world famous Eli's Cheesecake, Tiffany's article or cool houseware item?  You must be present to win!  See you there.    

Only 9 Days Left to Register for the Biggest and Best Global Small Business Forum on the Planet

©2022 Global TradeSource, Ltd.  All rights reserved.

You won't want to miss the biggest and best 7th Annual Global Small Business Forum on the planet held virtually on Friday, October 21st from 8:00AM-11:30AM CT.  The theme is:  #rebootyourbusinessforglboalgrowth.

Lead sponsor is Associated Bank with support from Foley & Lardner.

Below is a listing of the speakers.  If you look at the graphic above with the circle, follow top left clockwise.  

• Steve Greenspon (top left), Chief Executive Officer, Honey-Can-Do International
• Michael Jones, Michael A. Jones, II., International Sales Division Leader, Avlon Industries, Inc. 
• Shital Daftari, Founder and CEO, Saris and Things & SNT Biotech 
• Tom Britz (lower right), President and CEO, Glacier Hops Ranch (winner of 2022 Small Business Exporter of the Year Award!)

Additional speakers who are also award-winning exporters:

• David Kniepkamp (bottom left), President and CEO, Smart Controls LLC
• Amy Bosco, Director of Global Business Development, Beekley Medical (recent winner of The President's "E" Award!)

Speakers will discuss how they are leveraging the lessons from the global pandemic, the war in Ukraine, high inflation, global supply chain challenges, and a rise in interest rates – all while still growing and focusing on the future of global business.  During panel discussions you will learn their best-kept secrets to driving results for a business.

Special guests include, but are not limited to:  Marc Schulman, President of The Eli's Cheesecake Company and Richard Paullin, Executive Director, International Trade Association of Greater Chicago.  We've also invited Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot.

Full lineup of speakers can be found here.

Added to our list of specialness, is e-vendor, Boomerang Carnets.  They've supported us before and we look forward to working with them again this year during our breakout rooms.  

We also have Il SBDC International Trade Center, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as a supporting organization this year.

Tickets run from $10 (student ticket), to $20 (general ticket), to $200 (ticket and one e-vendor table). 

Visit the website for more details and to register: https://globalsmallbusinessforum.com.  Network like crazy, learn what it takes to thrive in the global marketplace, and walk away with new insights to bring your business to new heights.

Note: The forum is also known for its fun raffle prizes at the end. Who knew by attending that you could potentially win a world famous Eli's Cheesecake, Tiffany's article or cool houseware item?  You must be present to win!  See you there.    

How She Went Global® Podcast Ranked #2 in Entrepreneurship

©2022 Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global®.  All rights reserved.

Never heard of the How She Went Global® (HSWG) podcast? Well exit your cave and listen up.  HSWG podcast is where successful women entrepreneurs and business owners share stories about going global, and offer new ways to take on the world, stay inspired and have fun.  Produced by nonprofit Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global® – achieving #2 in Category Rank Entrepreneurship!

Tune in to episode #11, "For Latina Women Entrepreneurs, The Best Is Yet To Come," with Valeria Aloe, native of Argentina, founder of Abundancia Consciente, and author of Uncolonized Latinas.  She discusses why she started her global business, how the right mindset fuels opportunities for Latina women entrepreneurs and what can be done to fuel more Latina women entrepreneurs to start and run global businesses. And if you enjoy her episode, feel free to tune in to all the rest of the episodes.  While you are at it, don't forget to subscribe.

Here's what Valeria said about being interviewed:

"Thank you so much dear Laurel [Delaney] for having me, and for the opportunity to share insights and research relevant to Latinas, other women of color, and allies seeking to support and partner with them. I appreciate your mission of supporting women to scale up and expand beyond borders. Grateful!"

Tune in at your convenience for easy, educational and fun listening:  https://bit.ly/3tA52p7

HSWG podcast is powered by: Bluedog Design and Associated Bank.  These organizations rock!

Episode #9: How She Went Global® Podcast from Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global®

©2021 Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global®.  All rights reserved.

Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global® released Episode #9 of its How She Went Global® (HSWG) podcast featuring Angie Yu, founder and president, Twin Rivers Fisheries.  This month's theme:  Exporting Is Just a Fishnet Away. 

©2021 Angie Yu.

Angie discusses her business of catching, selling and distributing carp globally; how she used SBA and Exim Bank to fuel her business growth; and where she sees the future of carp as an industry.

HSWG podcast is powered by Bluedog with support from Associated Bank.

About HSWG

Successful women entrepreneurs and business owners share stories about going global, and offer new ways to take on the world, stay inspired and have fun! 

You can find HSWG on Apple Podcast, Spotify and Podomatic. Tune in and subscribe.  

5th Annual Global Small Business Forum Hosted Virtually on 10/16/20

@2020 Global TradeSource, Ltd.  All rights reserved.

Please join us for the world's biggest Global Small Business Forum – #BeAGlobalUnicorn – hosted virtually on Friday, October 16th from 7:30AM – 11:30AM Central Time.  Hear from 4 CEOs (refer to graphic above and link below) on how they are successfully navigating their global businesses through the global pandemic, trade wars, trade tariffs and just about every other imaginable challenge in 2020. They will prove to you that if they can steer their businesses effectively during turbulent times, you can too! 

You will also hear from special guests Marc Schulman, President, Eli's Cheesecake and Richard Paullin, Executive Director, ITAGC. 

To learn more and to register, please visit:  http://globalsmallbusinessforum.com.  

Associated Bank (lead Gold sponsor), Multilingual Connections (Bronze sponsor) and Foley & Lardner (Host sponsor) are the proud sponsors of this event.