Doing Business In...Workshop Series

Doing Business In... Workshops are offered annually at Governors State University, focused on doing business in specific regions. The workshop series is supported by a Department  The first workshops were focused on Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe with future workshops will be focused on other developing economies. Videos of the workshops and presentation slides are available below.

  • Doing Business in Eastern Europe 2018

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    Doing Business in Eastern Europe

    Friday, March 9, 2018
    Engbretson Hall

    8:30am – 3pm

    Program

    8:30-9:00 a.m.                Registration, Breakfast, and Networking

    9:00-9:15 a.m.                  Welcome Remarks

    Dr. Jun Zhao, Dean, College of Business, Governors State University

    9:15-10:35 a.m.                 Opportunities, Challenges, and Business Environment in Eastern Europe

                                                    Presenters:

    Honorable Piotr Janicki, Consul General, Consulate General of Poland, Chicago

    Ms. Teodora Boteva, Trade Commissioner, Consulate General of Bulgaria, Chicago

    Honorable Dejan Radulovic, Acting Consul General, Consulate General of Serbia, Chicago

    Moderator: Dr. Olumide Ijose, Division Chair, College of Business, Governors State University

    10:35-10:45 a.m.               Break

    10:45a.m.-12:00 p.m.            Managing Marketing and Financing Strategies in Eastern Europe

                                                    Presenters:

    Ms. Alison Mello, International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service- Chicago, U.S. Department of Commerce.

    Mr. Dennis Foldenauer, Regional Manager, International Trade Finance Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration

    Ms. Iwona Bochenska, Senior International Trade Specialist, Office of Trade and Investment, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity

    Moderator: Ms. Priscilla Cordero, Associate Director, Small Business Development Center

    12:00-1:00 p.m.                     Lunch and Keynote Presentation

                                                    Dr. Sheila Puffer, University Distinguished Professor of International Business, Northeastern University

    1:00-2:15 p.m.                  Best Practices and Lessons Learned from Doing Business in Eastern Europe

                                                    Panelists:

    Mr. Robert Faber, Founder, Welcome to Bulgaria
    Mr. Derek Begue, Vice President, Business Development, PRA Global
    Ms. Chen Lin, Program Manager, International Trade Center, College of DuPage 

    Moderator: Mr. Richard Paullin, Executive Director, International Trade Association of Greater Chicago

    2:15-2:20 p.m.                  Closing Remarks

    Dr. David Green, Division Chair, College of Business, Governors State University

    2:20-3:00pm                            Networking

     

                                        

  • Doing Business in Asia 2017

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    Doing Business in Asia

    Thursday, March 9, 2017

    Center for Performing Arts Stage • Governors State University

    DBI Asia 2017 Youtube Image

    (View Recorded Presentations on Youtube)

    8:30-9:00am              Registration, Breakfast, and Networking

    9:00-9:15am               Welcome Remarks
    Dr. Jun Zhao, Interim Dean, College of Business, Governors State University

    9:15 -10:35am            Opportunities, Challenges, and Business Environment in Asia

    • Mr. Winchell Cheung, Director, Midwest Region, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (Presentation Slides) 
    • Mr. Soo Deuk Sohn. Director-General,Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA)
    • Mrs. Eni Hartati, Consul for Economic Affairs, Indonesia Consulate General, Chicago
    • Mr. D.B. Bhati, Consul (Political, Commerce, and Visa), Consulate General of India, Chicago (Presentation Slides)

    Moderator: Dr. Olumide Ijose, Interim Division Chair, College of Business, Governors State University

    10:35-10:45am           Break

    10:45am-12:00pm      Managing Marketing and Financing Strategies in Asia

        
    • Mr. Dan Kim, International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commerical Service-Chicago, U.S. Department of Commerce.  (Presentation Slides)
    • Mr. Dennis Foldenauer, Regional Manager, International Trade Finance Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration  (Presentation Slides)
    • Mr. Zhigang Ren, Senior International Trade Specialist, Office of Trade and Investment, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Development 
    • Mr. Michael Howard, Managing Director, Central Region, U.S. Export-Import Bank  (Presentation Slides)
    Moderator: Mrs. Lauren Esolato Healy, Corporate Relations Officer, Office of Development and Institutional Advancement, Governors State University

    12:00-12:45pm           Lunch and Networking

    12:45-2:00pm             Best Practices and Lessons Learned from Doing Business in Asia


    •  Mr. Chacko Kiruian,President, JPN Associates, Inc.
    • Mr. Christopher Timmons, Senior Solutions Manager, CN  
    • Mr. James Waite, Managing Director, OPS-Asia

     Moderator: Mr. Richard Paullin, Executive Director, International Trade Association of Greater Chicago

    2:00-2:45pm   Keynote Presentation:

     Emerging Issues in Asian Market: Lessons Learned from Studies of Chinese and Indian Institutions
    Dr. Chang-Tai Hsieh,     Phyllis and Irwin Winkelried Professor of Economics, Booth School of Business, University of Chicago

     2:45-3:00pm   Closing Remarks - Dr. David Green, Division Chair, College of Business, Governors State University

     

     Sponsored by:

    Governors State University  College of Business

    Indiana University Center for International Business Education and Research

    Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

  • Doing Business in Africa 2016

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      March 11, 2016

    Doing Business in Africa 

    (Click links below to view Powerpoint Slides or [View Video])

     Click here to view video of the Doing Business in Africa event presentatiosn and panels.Click here to view a recording of the event [Youtube].

     

       Doing Business in Africa 

    Friday, March 11, 2016 8:30am-3:00pm Engbretson Hall Governors State University

    Program

    8:30-9:00am Registration and networking

    9:00-9:15am Welcome Remarks Dr. Ellen Foster Curtis, Dean, College of Business, Governors State University

    9:15-10:00am Keynote Presentation: President Obama’s Power Africa InitiativeMr. Brandon Megorden, Country Manager, Sub-Sahara Division, U.S. Trade and Development Agency

    10:00 – 11:00am Opportunities, Challenges, and Business Environment in Africa

    Presenters:

    Ms. Shakira Motan, EconomicConsul, South Africa Consulate Chicago 

    Mr. Jean AbiNader, Executive Director, Moroccan American Trade and Investment Center 

     Dr. Olumide Ijose, AssociateProfessor, Governors State University (to speak on Nigeria)

    11:00-11:15am Break

    11:15am-12:30pm Managing Marketing and Financing Strategies in Africa

    Presenters:

    Mr. Benjamin S. Todd,Business Development for Africa, Global Business Development Division, U.S.Export-Import Bank

    Mr. Rich Carpenter,International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commerical Service – Chicago, U.S.Department of Commerce.

     Mr. Dennis Foldenauer,Regional Manager, International Trade Finance Specialist, U.S. Small BusinessAdministration  

     Ms.Margo Markopoulos, Director, Office of Trade and Investment, IllinoisDepartment of Commerce & Economic Opportunity

    Moderator: Ms. Mary Ma, Illinois SBDC International Trade Center, Governors State University

    12:30-1:30pm Lunch

    1:30-2:45pm Best Practices and Lessons Learned from Doing Business in Africa

    Panelists:

    Mr. Eugene Bostoe, President, Ability Engineering Technology Inc.

    Ms. Cheryle Jackson, VP, Government Affairs & Corporate Development, AAR CORP Ms. Sophia Leaguedi, President, Ameroc Export Inc. Mr. Kevin Sofen, Business Development Manager, W.S. Darley & Co. Moderator: Richard Paullin, Executive Director, International Trade Association of Greater Chicago

     

    2:45-3:00pm Closing Remarks Dr. Jun Zhao, Chair, College of Business, Governors State University

  • Doing Business in Latin America 2015

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    March 27, 2015

    Doing Business in Latin America

    The Doing Business in Latin America workshop series brought government and business leaders in trade and investment to Governors State University. The workshop provided practical knowledge to businesses in the Chicago area that aspire to do business in and with emerging markets in the Latin American Region.

    The workshop focused on Brazil, Colombia, and Panama. The presentations and panel discussions were designed to help participants understand the opportunities and challenges in these markets as well as some emerging trends in specific industries and business sectors. Workshop focus:   Entry and marketing strategies in Latin America.  How to finance their trade and investment activities in the region.  Best practices from Illinois businesses that have been successful in these markets.

    Doing Business in Latin America Flyer  

    Agenda

    Friday, March 27, 2015 
    9am-3:00pm 
    Engbretson Hall  
    Governors State University  

    Agenda

    9-9:15am Registration and networking

    9:15-9:30am Welcome Remarks, Dr. Ellen Foster Curtis, Dean, CBPA

    9:30-10:30am Opportunities, Challenges, and Business Environment in Latin American Markets

     Investing in Brazil Trade and Promotion Department. Consulate General of Brazil in Chicago  -Ms. Marianne Martins Guimaraes, Deputy Consul, Brazilian Consulate Chicago [View Video]

     Investment Environment and Business Opportunities in Colombia -Mr. Alejandro Tribin, Economic Development Representative for PROCOLOMBIA [View Video]

     General Overview on Panama’s Economy and Investment Climate -Mr. Juan Heilbron, Economic Attache, Embassy of Panama [View Video]

    Moderator: Dr. Olumide Ijose, Associate Professor of Management, College of Business and Public Administration, GSU

    10:30-10:45am   Break

    10:45am-12:15pm Managing Marketing and Financing Strategies in Latin America Presenters:

     SBA Trade Programs -Mr. Steven Konkle, Economic Development Specialist, Small Business Administration, Illinois District Office [View Video]

     U.S. Commercial Service - Resources for U.S. Exporters -Ms. Monica Toporkiewicz, Trade Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce [View Video]

     Trade Financing Solutions: Increasing Your Export Sales -Mr. Michael Howard, Managing Director, Central Region, The Export- Import Bank of the U.S. [View Video]

     Illinois State Trade and Export Promotion (ISTEP) Program -Ms. Margo Markopoulos, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Trade and Investment, State of Illinois [View Video]

    Moderator: Ms. Mary Ma, Director, International Trade Center, GSU

    12:15-1:15pm  Lunch (Center for Performing Arts Lobby)

    Keynote Presentation: Understanding and Managing Latin American Culture

    Speaker: Dr. Roberto Garcia, Director, Indiana University Center for International Business Education and Research [View Video]

     Using GlobeSmart Online Global Business Tool

    1:15-1:30pm  Break

    1:30-2:45pm Best Practices and Lessons Learned from Doing Business in Latin America [View Video]

    Mr. Chris Timmons, Senior Solutions Manager, CN, Sales & Marketing; Mr. Carter Sterling, CEO, Sterling Lumber; Ms. Vicki Linko, CEO, Funk Linko; Mr. Tom Beube, Senior VP and Director of International Services, Wintrust Financial Corporation

    Moderator: Ms. Priscilla Cordero, Director, Small Business Development Center, GSU

    2:45-3:00pm Closing Remarks

    Dr. Jun Zhao, Professor of Management, Division Chair College of Business and Public Administration, GSU

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