Latest Global News & Updates
DECEMBER 2023
GlobalTarget kicks off 2023-2024 Cohort
On November 3, the Global Business Center hosted the kickoff session for our next installment of our award-winning GlobalTarget program. This year we welcomed five companies who are eager to expand their international sales: Air Technical Industries, Duraflow Industries, General Sleep Corporation, Halliday Technologies, and Tilmor LLC. These companies have been paired with one or two mentors and a trade support team who are helping them devise a strategic growth plan through the end of spring 2024 and supporting their staff stay on top of best practices in conducting trade.
Get to know our newest Trade Advisor
Chris Lees brings a wide array of professional experience to his new Trade Advisor position at the Ohio SBDC Export Assistance Network. He graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical-Polymer Engineering and also completed a two-year Foundation Arts program at the Cleveland Institute of Art. He has over two decades of experience working in manufacturing environments.
He is very familiar with the SBDC and utilized their resources to open an Art & Design Studio called Horrible Adorables with his partner & wife, Jordan. As a client with the SBDC EAN, they grew a successful international clientele base in multiple countries while utilizing many of the state's export programs.
He looks forward to bringing his experience of building a business from the ground-up to the team and helping other small businesses in the region grow their international sales.
When he’s not working, Chris loves spending time with his wife and their pets – which have ranged over the years from a couple wonderful rescue cats, two retired (and lazy) greyhounds, and 50,000 honeybees in their backyard hive.
Grow your Business with an Intern
The Ohio Export Internship Program is seeking area companies looking to host an intern for 12 weeks during the summer of 2024 (May-Aug). The program matches high performing, vetted, and trained college students to Ohio companies looking to grow their international business.
Learn why this program has earned its reputation as a premier growth primer and talent pipeline.
Explore Business Opportunities in Europe & Eurasia!
TRADEWINDS Europe/Eurasia Trade Mission
May 13-15, 2024 Istanbul, Turkey
Join us in Istanbul, Türkiye for the largest U.S. government-led trade mission and business development forum. Organized by the U.S. Commercial Service, Trade Winds will feature meetings with U.S. commercial diplomats from over 20 countries in Europe and Eurasia, exciting conference programming, and plenty of networking!
Qualified U.S. businesses may customize their experience with optional business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking meetings with pre-screened buyers, agents, distributors, or joint-venture partners in Türkiye, Denmark, Italy, Kazakhstan, Poland, and Romania.
Spin offs are held prior and following the forum in Turkey including:
Italy or Romania (May 9-10)
Denmark, Kazakhstan, or Poland (May 16-17)
NASBITE International, the association behind the Certified Global Business Professional certification, is hosting its Annual Conference at the Sahara Las Vegas from April 9-11, 2024. Registrants not only share and learn from the many sessions offered on all aspects of global business, but also have the opportunity to network with peers, hear about best practices in trade education and trade assistance, and discover new skills and approaches in export development and marketing. Opportunities for students to participate in a Student Case Competition. Conference is open to students, educators, private industry, and government trade promotion professionals.
Contact Our Trade Advisors
Email Us
CHRIS LEES: c.lees@csuohio.edu
DAVID DELGADO: d.delgado85@csuohio.edu
NATE WARD: n.t.ward54@csuohio.edu