This section provides information on various training classes, workshops, and networking sessions sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and others dedicated to creating jobs through exporting and expanding Oklahoma's international presence.

Training & Networking Opportunities

• Exporting 101--the Fundamentals of Exporting
• Export Shipping and Documentation Workshop
• The Oklahoma World Trade Conference

Exporting 101--the Fundamentals of Exporting
Next Class: TBD (Tulsa)

This workshop sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma District Export Council and the U.S. Export Assistance Centers is conducted annually, usually in February or early March. Classes alternate locations, one year held in Oklahoma City, the next in Tulsa. 

The full-day workshop is designed for Oklahoma companies currently constructing an export strategy or those who have taken the plunge and want to build on those initial steps into the global market. Experts provide detailed information on a broad range of topics, including export assistance organizations, basic export market research, choosing an export strategy, organizing an export operation, pricing, establishing overseas markets, communications, and methods of payment and financing. 

Presenters include international bankers, attorneys, and business practitioners and Oklahoma U.S. Export Assistance Center and Oklahoma Department of Commerce personnel.

Export Shipping and Documentation Workshop Top
Next Class:  TBD (Oklahoma City)

This all day workshop is sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma District Export Council and the U.S. Export Assistance Centers and is typically offered once a year in the late fall.  The location alternates between Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

The workshop covers appropriately filing all of the documentation necessary for exporting products and services overseas; selecting the best methods of export; using a freight forwarder; proper packaging and labeling; shipping methods and the different requirements of each; letters of credit and other international financial instruments of foreign trade; insurance needs; and much more.

Presenters include international freight forwarders, international bankers, attorneys, and business practitioners, and representatives from the U.S. Export Assistance Centers and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

The Oklahoma World Trade Conference Top
Next Class: April 14, 2010 (Tulsa)

An annual event in Oklahoma, this conference is sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma District Export Council, and the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Oklahoma World Trade Conference brings a number of private and public entities together to address current international and export-related topics and to enrich and expand the exporting efforts of Oklahoma's companies--large and small. The conference is held alternately between Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

Past sessions covered the following topics: leveling the playing field in the world marketplace for Oklahoma's manufacturers; sorting through the myriad of customs regulations and laws governing the export process; tips for managing the payment process; etc.

Panelists included experts from the Export-Import Bank, the Oklahoma Alliance for Manufacturing Excellence, the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration, and attorneys, bankers, insurers, and freight forwarders specializing in overseas trade.

Upcoming Foreign Trade Missions:

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service is organizing an Executive led Trade Mission to Panama City Panama, Cartagena and Bogota Colombia, to take place September 20-24, 2010. The mission will focus on helping your company and other U.S. companies launch or increase their export business in these key markets. Participation in the Mission will also help your firm gain market information, make business and industry contacts, and solidify business strategies, towards the goal of increasing U.S. exports to these important FTA Candidate partners.

The mission will include business-to-business matchmaking appointments with local companies, as well as market briefings and networking events. The delegation will be comprised of U.S. firms representing a cross section of U.S. industries with growing potential in the target markets, including, but not limited to the following sectors:  Building products; computers, components and peripherals; construction equipment, electrical power systems; food processing and packaging; franchising; medical equipment; safety and security equipment; seaport and ports equipment; telecommunications equipment; and travel and tourism services.

The Participation Deadline is July 23, 2010.

For additional information on the Mission, you can go to the mission Website at: www.export.gov/colombiapanamamission or contact Louis Quay at 202-482-3973 or Louis.quay@trade.gov