The National Export Initiative: Silver Bullet or Pie in the Sky?

International Roundtable

August 19, 2010: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

In March 2010, President Obama launched an effort to rebuild the country’s long-term economic strength by doubling exports in five years. Called the National Export Initiative, the effort includes the creation of an Export Promotion Cabinet that would assign senior officials to enhance overseas sales.

Where

Gleacher Center
608
450 Cityfront Plaza
Chicago, Illinois

Driving Directions:www.gleachercenter.com

Event Details

Skeptics argue that the Initiative will make no difference unless three critical issues are resolved: (1) urgent need to harmonize and beef up the export financing services of Small Business Administration and the Export Import Bank; (2) rationalize, streamline and codify the increasingly harsh compliance environment for exporters (ITAR, etc.); and (3) address the increased manpower needs of the Commercial Service and Export Import Bank. Cindy Biggs, who has been doing business globally for 26 years, will tell us about the implementation details and the prognosis as the Initiative comes amid rising tensions as countries recovering from the global recession renew efforts to protect their share of global markets and grow jobs through exports.

Cost

No Charge

Registration

Register Online

Register By Email
Register By Phone: 847.310.0412

Deadline: 8/19/2010

Program

6:00 PM-6:30 PM: Networking

Speaker Profiles

Cindy Biggs (Speaker)
International Trade Specialist, US Commercial Service
http://www.export.gov

Cindy Biggs is currently serving in a three year domestic assignment at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Export Assistance Center in Chicago. Cindy arrived in Chicago in September 2008 after having served as the U.S. Embassy’s Senior Commercial Officer in Bucharest, Romania for three years. Cindy began working with the Foreign Commercial Service in Monterrey, Mexico when she was appointed the Vice-Consul for Commercial Affairs at the U.S. Consulate from 2002 to 2004. She leveraged more than 20 years of experience in Latin America there where she was responsible for promoting US exports in seven states located in Northeastern Mexico. Cindy initiated a career with the US Government when she was hired by the US Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela as a Senior Commercial Specialist, a position she held for five years before joining the Foreign Commercial Service. Cindy initially began working in television while attending Western Michigan University when she was hired by an ABC Television affiliate. Upon graduation, Cindy moved to Venezuela where the Kellogg’s Corporation employed her as a Marketing Manager. Subsequent moves took her to Queretaro, Mexico, Sao Paulo, Brazil and eventually back to Battle Creek, Michigan. Cindy returned to ABC as a journalist during her three-year stay in Michigan. In 1991 Cindy relocated to Caracas where ABC News of New York hired her. She collaborated on projects for ABC News, Good Morning America, 20/20, Prime Time Live and ABC Radio during her seven years reporting from Venezuela. Cindy attended Western Michigan University, graduating with a degree in Mass Communications and minors in Marketing and Journalism. Cindy was raised in Chicago and Michigan and has a son and a daughter. She is fluent in Spanish and Romanian.

Questions

Karl Buschmann 
Chairman
847.310.0412

Other Information

NOTE ON PARKING 300 East Illinois Street (AMC Theater-River East Self Park Garage) $6 after 3:00 pm on weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday for a 12-hour period Garage: Self Park Facility Payment: Automated; at pay-stations by cash or credit card or upon exit pay by credit card only. To receive discounted rate: There is a card validator at the first floor security desk of the Gleacher Center. You will only need to insert your parking card in the validator and the new price will be automatically applied. When you leave the lot you will be charged for the lower $6 fee. Detailed Directions: Garage is located next to PJ Clarks and below the AMC Theater. a) When traveling east on Illinois cross over Columbus and enter the Garage on the left (north) side of the street. b) If driving west on Grand (north of Theater), you can enter the garage ½ block before Columbus on the left (south) side of the street.