Session #1 – Researching Global Markets

Expanding your sales and diversifying your market reach beyond Canada’s borders can enhance your company’s ability to be globally competitive. Learn how to research and identify new potential market opportunities that lie outside of your existing market. The resources and tips provided in this session will help you determine your ‘readiness’ to engage new markets and assist in developing an effective plan to penetrate new markets successfully.

Presented by: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada

Jordan Speakman

Jordan Speakman is a Trade Commissioner in the Edmonton Regional Office of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. His sectors of responsibility have included Consumer Products, Education, Environment, and Business & Professional Services, as well as program administration for the Community Investment Support Program (CISP).

Jordan graduated from the University of Lethbridge with his Bachelor of Management degree, with a concentration in Marketing and is currently completing his Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) accreditation through the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT). Having lived, worked, studied, and visited 17 countries to date, Jordan brings a wealth of global knowledge to his position.

Session #2 – Cultural Considerations in International Trade

Culture can significantly impact the ability of a company to successfully launch a new product in a foreign country.  An often over-looked aspect when companies go global, this session will provide insight as to how culture can influence every aspect of your market entry strategy, and sustainability once established in a new market. We will investigate practical examples from the America’s, Europe and the Middle East.

Presented by: Jason Baker, Business Development Executive, Rainmaker Global Business Development

Jason Baker’s professional background is in the Consumer packaged Goods industry. Before joining Rainmaker in Calgary, Jason spent 7 years working with the North American “Experiential Marketing” leader, Mosaic. Jason’s career portfolio includes many years of professional training, group facilitation, and extensive team management experience.

Session #3 – Operating an International Business – Know Before You Go

Whether it’s unsolicited orders or market potential you’ve identified on your own, it’s important to look before you leap. Learn how to assess your company resources, determine when external help is required, and other tips and strategies on how to prepare your company internally to expand into the global marketplace.

Presented by: Ray Joyce CMA, FICB, ACIB (UK), CITP
President, The Joyce Group, Ltd.
and
Alberta Regional Representative, Forum for International Trade Training

Ray Joyce worked in the banking industry for 30 years prior to starting his own business in 1992 specialising in providing consulting and training services in the areas of Finance, International Trade and Entrepreneurship. In addition to his consulting practice, Ray is the Alberta Regional Representative for the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT). He also teaches courses on International Trade at both the University of Calgary and the University of Cape Breton and has written manuals on international trade for the FITT. His consulting work has led to him doing projects in several countries including Uzbekistan, Jamaica and Indonesia. These projects were funded by various International Financial Institutions and through this work he became familiar with the way that they operated. He is currently working with an oil and gas service company based in Red Deer who have just signed their first contract to do work in Mexico, and are working on getting their first contract in Pennsylvania.

Session #4 – Financing Your Exports and Ensuring You Get Paid

There are a number of risks associated with conducting international business, probably the greatest of which are tied to your financial transactions and receiving payment from your buyer. Learn what financial assistance is available to exporters from negotiating the payment, to building and insuring your products and the strategies that exist to mitigate the financial risks of your export transactions.

Presented by: Export Development Canada