April 26, 2012: Awards Banquet
The Stateline World Trade Association (SLWTA) will host its Annual Awards Banquet on Thursday April 26, 2012 at the Butterfly Club in Beloit, WI.
The SLWTA has been honoring stateline area businesses for 24 years! Each April, the SLWTA proudly recognizes area companies for their accomplishments in international trade and measurable success in the expansion of the importing and/or exporting side of their business. Two stateline area companies have been chosen to receive the 2012 SLWTA International Trade Award. The awards will be presented at the banquet to Fairbanks Morse Engine of Beloit, WI and Forest City Gear of Roscoe, IL.
March 22, 2012: Import Compliance
Please join us to learn more about the inspiring and informative histories and best practices of these award-winning companies! The evening's agenda will include networking opportunities, dinner, and presentations by the honorees about their business and their international activities.
The Stateline World Trade Association (SLWTA) will host a dinner meeting and program on importing compliance on Thursday March 22, 2012 at the Butterfly Club in Beloit, WI. The speaker for the evening will be Paula Hubbard of Western Overseas Corporation.
The program will cover Importer Security Filing, which is often referred to as "10+2". U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires an Importer Security Filing for all ocean import shipments where the first arrival of the freight is at a water port. This filing must be made prior to shipping from the country of export. Information will be presented on how to make the filing, who is responsible for filing, and the penalties and delays for non-compliance.
Information on compliance related to Country of Origin markings will also be presented. One of the top reasons for Customs and Border Protection to examine and hold freight is related to Country of Origin markings. These markings must clearly indicate where the product was made to the purchaser of the product. Attendees will learn where the markings are to be on the product, which products are not required to be marked, and markings on products that may be repackaged.
February 23, 2012: EB-5 Investor Visa Program
The Stateline World Trade Association (SLWTA) will host a dinner meeting and program on the EB-5 Investor Visa Program on Thursday February 23, 2012 at the Butterfly Club in Beloit, WI.
The EB-5 program was created by Congress in 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. The SLWTA hopes area companies will be eager to learn about this information program that could lead to significant business growth opportunities for employers in our region.
"The EB-5 program allows foreign investors to obtain permanent residency in the United States by investing and creating employment opportunities for U.S. workers in particular geographic areas. The potential for business creation and partnership opportunities in the Stateline area is great," said presenter, Penny Lechtenberg.
January 26, 2012: Day of Compliance
2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Compliance with Incoterms 2010
3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Compliance with the Bankers' Bible (UCPP600)
Del Brahm of Western Overseas Corp. will direct the afternoon workshops. Del is an International Freight Forwarder; Customhouse Broker; NVOCC, and Airfreight Agent.
5:30 p.m. Networking
6:15 p.m. Dinner and Program
Presenter Ulice Payne is Managing Member of Addison Clifton, LLC, an advisor regarding global trade compliance solutions. Payne previously served as the Managing Partner of the headquarter office of the Foley & Lardner LLP law firm and also served as Chair of the International Business Team at the firm where he represented global and domestic companies in cross-border transactions. This program will address compliance with Supply Chain procedures including a recap on 2011 supply chain and what's new and/or anticipated in future supply chain dealings.
November 17,2011: Milwaukee Foreign Trade Zone
Revitalized Milwaukee Foreign-Trade Zone Boosts Economic Development
On Thursday, November 17, 2011, the Stateline World Trade Association (SLWTA) will host a dinner meeting and speakers on Economic Development Opportunities and the Rejuvenation of the Port of Milwaukee Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) at the Butterfly Club in Beloit, WI.
Speakers are Eric Reinelt, Port Director, Port of Milwaukee, Mary Regal, Director of International Development, Bentley World Packaging, and Alderman Joe Davis, Sr., City of Milwaukee. Marge Burton Bevers, FTZ #176 Administrator at the Greater Rockford Airport Authority, will moderate the panel.
Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZs) were created in the United States to provide special customs procedures for U.S. importers. Duty-free treatment is accorded to items handled in FTZ-approved sites, with duty payment deferred on all items until they leave that location. Some duties are reduced and others, eliminated. Benefits also accrue as inventory control, cash flow and supply chain savings. FTZs help offset customs advantages available to overseas producers who compete with domestic industry. Growth of the program has been rapid in recent years, with over 18% of all U.S. imports moving through FTZ-approved locations in the 2009-10 fiscal year.
On August 3, 2011, the federal Foreign-Trade Zone Board approved the reissuance of a Grant of Authority fro FTZ #41 to the Port of Milwaukee for a service area to include Kenosha, Milwaukee and Racine Counties. The speakers will address how the FTZ can help leverage economic development opportunities in southeastern Wisconsin and the Stateline area. They will also address why the Port of Milwaukee and Bentley are invested in this public-private partnership.
October 19, 2011: International Export Seminar
Stateline World Trade Association
Co-Sponsors International Export Seminar
Expanding Markets for Small/Medium-Sized Businesses
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) will host a free seminar on Wednesday, October 19, from 1:00 – 4:30 PM at the Rotary River Center, Beloit, WI for Wisconsin and Illinois small and medium-sized businesses seeking to grow their exports or enter the export market with support from U.S. government programs.
Joining Baldwin and Manzullo are representatives from the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce and the Stateline World Trade Association. Presentations and discussions will be led by experts from the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC), Small Business Administration (SBA), and the Export-Import Bank of the U.S.
“To create jobs and grow our economy, we must take full advantage of the global marketplace,” said Congresswoman Baldwin. “I’m delighted to offer this help to local businesses wishing to enter the export market or expand their reach internationally. This seminar will raise awareness of the federal funds and services available to local businesses to help them reach their full potential,” Baldwin said.
“When times are tough, businesses need to look at every opportunity possible to sell their goods and services, and exporting offers our employers a tremendous way to grab new market share, strengthen their business, and create jobs,” said Congressman Manzullo. “This seminar will introduce our employers to all the federal resources available to help sell their products overseas, and I encourage anyone interested in exporting to attend this free event,” Manzullo said.
Randall Upton, President of the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce, said, "One of the principal ways to create and maintain new jobs is by increasing the export of American products and services. Exporting is a non-partisan issue, and the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce is honored to support the U.S. Government Export Seminar that is being hosted by Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin and Congressman Don Manzullo."
September 22,2011: Wisconsin International Trade Team
Note: the change of meeting location from last year!!
On Thursday, September 22, 2011 the Stateline World Trade Association (SLWTA) will host a dinner meeting and program on Tools for Export Success: Finding the funds, the customers and the answers to your export questions at the Butterfly Club in Beloit, WI. The program will be presented by the Wisconsin International Trade Team, a collaboration of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and the new Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).
“Wisconsin International Trade Team professionals have years of experience in international sales, banking, transportation, and marketing, as well as first-hand knowledge of business cultures and practices around the globe. Attendees will gain valuable information about export assistance services, funding sources and growing markets,” said SLWTA President, Brad Collins.
Stanley Pfrang, International Business Manager with WEDC and Jen Pino-Gallagher, economic development consultant for DATCP will share their expertise on “how to” do the following:
• Put together an export marketing plan
• Master the mechanics of exporting
• Identify distributors or customers
• Solve export emergencies such as customs holds
• Conduct market research to identify top prospects
• Double your marketing budget by accessing funds to cover up to 50% of your international marketing costs