An invitation to our clients and small businesses in Southern Illinois to participate in the third of our free Virtual Roundtable Series:
ISTEP & CARES Act Funds: Testimonials and Success Stories. A Virtual Conversation with Southern Illinois Businesses
Hosted by: Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at SIUE and the Southwestern Illinois Trade & Investment Council
December 10th, 2020. 10:30am – 12noon (via Zoom)
Did you know your business could be eligible to receive up to $27,000 (per year) to help start or increase your exports and reach new international buyers? The Illinois State Trade and Export Promotion Program (ISTEP) has been providing financial support to Illinois small businesses and ITC clients for over 10 years. Hear from successful exporters that used their ISTEP funds for a variety of business needs: participation in international trade shows and missions (in-person and virtual), website translation & globalization, product compliance, virtual matchmakings, global distributor/agent searches and a range of other activities.
In addition, thanks to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress on March 27, 2020, there is financial assistance available to you and your company along with additional support from your local Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at SIUE. Now is the ideal time for you to consider requesting immediate business support through CARES Act funds that could equip you to accomplish the following (and more) to successfully sell your products and services to international markets:
Increase your capacity and capability to produce products for exporting
Strategic connections with domestic and international trade and industry experts to help you secure end-users, distributors, agents and partners
Equip you to manage your logistics and reporting activities
Help you hone your exporting marketing strategy
Enable you to scale your business for global success
Fuel your ability to access relevant metrics from reliable data sources
Receive one-on-one actionable expertise from consultants and mentors with decades of exporting experience
CARES Act funds are now available to help you start or grow your international sales, as your business continues facing the very difficult challenges resulting from the pandemic. Exporters in our region are already enjoying initial successes and will be sharing their experiences at the roundtable. Join us to hear their testimonials and to share what your company’s most immediate needs are so these funds can also be made available to you.
Will you join us? There is no fee to attend but registration is required via this link. You will receive a confirmation message with a personal connection link.
Note: This program is especially designed to businesses located in the Southern Illinois region
Please see attached invitation from one of our hosts, Craig Eversmann, President of MSSC (Collinsville) and President of the Southwest Illinois Trade Council. Registration deadline is Tuesday, December 8th. Be part of the discussion, or feel free to listen and absorb. Questions? Feel free to contact us at International-Trade-Center@siue.edu The ITC stands ready to serve as a resource and looks forward to your participation!
Warm regards,
Silvia Torres Bowman, CGBP
Director
Illinois SBDC International Trade Center
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Campus Box 1107
Alumni Hall, Suite 2126
Edwardsville, Illinois 62026-1107
Phone: (618)650-2452
Fax: (618)650-2647