STEP Grant Application Process

Join us to learn about the Massachusetts State Trade Expansion Program ("STEP"), which is available to eligible Massachusetts small businesses for the purpose of increasing export sales of their goods and services. 

The Massachusetts STEP program is administered by the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Export Center, through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.  

This webinar will discuss the parameters of the Massachusetts STEP program and walk participants through the STEP application process. The webinar will provide guidance on completing the application and discuss specific elements that are critical for successful applicants. The webinar will also provide tips on assessing export readiness and planning international marketing activities in support of the STEP application. Those applicants who have demonstrated a strong commitment to exporting with a well-planned export strategy will have the best likelihood of success!

Special Note: Federal funding for the 2018-2019 Massachusetts STEP program has not yet been appropriated. Applicants must complete and submit their applications with the understanding that there is a risk that the program will not be funded. Applicants must also understand that grant awards are made on a competitive basis. For more information, visit www.mass.gov/export/step.

Tariff Wars: Strategies for Managing Change in a Volatile Global Trade Environment

This webinar can be viewed by clicking here. Compliance Alliance members, for access log into the members-only section.

2018 has been the most volatile year on record for U.S. and global tariff policy. The U.S. has imposed steep, additional tariffs on billions of dollars’ worth of imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. 

A wide range of U.S. imports is targeted under these tariffs, such as steel and aluminum imports under Section 232, and various imports from China under Section 301. Other countries have responded, in turn, with their own retaliatory tariffs against U.S. goods as well. 

Join us for this timely webinar that will review these recent tariff developments, including the scope of goods affected, applicable duty rates, and guidance on where to find information globally. The webinar will also provide information on best practices for developing tariff strategies to contend with the actions, managing changes and developing mitigation remedies. 

Finally, the program will also review the process for seeking exclusions from the tariffs. We will also provide the Asian perspective on these actions, how foreign companies are coping with these developments, and what this means for U.S. companies doing business in Asia.  

Our speakers will be:  

• Todd Liao, Partner – Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP (Shanghai, China)
• Kenneth Nunnenkamp, Partner – Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP (Washington, DC) 

Date: Thursday, October 4, 2018
Time: 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. EST
Location: Webinar
Cost: $50 / no charge for Compliance Alliance members

The New Export Control Reform Act and Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act: Implications for Trade and Investment

This webinar can be viewed by clicking here. Compliance Alliance members, for access log into the members-only section.

On August 13, 2018, President Trump signed into law the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (NDAA), which includes the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA) and the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA). This landmark legislation will have far-reaching impact for U.S. businesses, including exporters, developers of emerging technologies, and potential recipients of foreign investment. 

The ECRA provides a permanent statutory basis for export controls and antiboycott requirements, following the 2001 lapse of the Export Administration Act of 1979. The ECRA codifies many existing regulations, definitions, practices and rules, as well as the civil and criminal penalties for violations of these rules. Notably, the ECRA mandates an interagency review of controls on exports to countries subject to a U.S. or U.N. arms embargo. These reviews are expected to generate additional end-use and end-user-based controls on exports to China and other markets. 

Also of significance is the establishment of an interagency process to identify “emerging and foundational technologies,” and impose licensing requirements on exports of these technologies to D:5 countries, including China. While the ECRA does not enumerate specific emerging and foundational technologies, it is anticipated that industries such as robotics, artificial intelligence, aerospace, financial technology, and other sensitive or cutting-edge technologies will be targeted. Finally, the ECRA would also impact the Commerce Department’s licensing procedures under the EAR, enhancing the factors to be assessed when considering license approvals. 

The FIRRMA expands the jurisdiction and powers of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS). CFIUS is the inter-agency committee of the U.S. government authorized to review, investigate and block any transaction or investment that could result in the control of any U.S. business or asset by a foreign person that may raise national security concerns or involve critical infrastructure. FIRRMA modifies and adds to the factors that CFIUS may consider when conducting its national security analysis. FIRRMA also expands the scope of covered transactions under CFIUS jurisdiction to include certain real estate transactions and other investments in sensitive U.S. businesses. 

Join us for this important webinar that will review the ECRA and FIRRMA, their implications for companies engaged in global business, and strategies for managing changes ahead. 

Our esteemed special guest speaker will be:  

• Kevin Wolf, Partner – Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP
  Former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration  

Date: Friday, October 12, 2018
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. EST
Location: Webinar
Cost: $50 / no charge for Compliance Alliance members

Developing Your Export Compliance Program

This webinar can be viewed by clicking here. Compliance Alliance members, for access log into the members-only section.

Any company that is serious about exporting needs a formal export compliance program in place. Export compliance programs demonstrate a company’s commitment to compliance and outline specific policies and procedures to ensure compliance, taking into account the company’s entire global organization, specific products and technologies, international business activities and more. Developing and managing a truly functional and adaptable export compliance program can be an overwhelming and challenging task for many businesses, however.    

This webinar will provide practical guidance on developing an export compliance program, including: risk assessment; export compliance team building; integration of export compliance operations; and other critical elements for an effective export compliance program. 

The program will also touch upon assessing the effectiveness of export compliance operations and maintaining a dynamic compliance program that keeps pace with organizational and regulatory changes. 

Our speaker will be: 

• Mark Finnerty, Senior Consultant – DL Exports International

Date: Thursday, October 18, 2018
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. EST
Location: Webinar
Cost: $50 / no charge for Compliance Alliance members

Best Practices for Export Control Classification and Licensing

Accurate export control classification is essential to export regulatory compliance. But classification can be an arduous process for many companies. Evolving export control definitions, highly technical specifications and the complex structure of export control lists all make classification difficult. Equally as challenging can be the export licensing process itself, where even experienced export compliance practitioners can face an occasional RWA. 

This briefing will feature leading local trade compliance practitioners who will share their thoughts and best practices for export control classification and licensing, with an emphasis on effective preparation of submittals to federal export licensing authorities, including classification requests and license applications. 

The briefing will also provide insight on self-classification, export license determination, license exception usage, and working with federal authorities to manage the export authorization process. 

Speakers include:

• Alex Glowatz, Global Compliance & Ethics Counsel – Teradyne, Inc.
• Sarah Innes, Director, Export Compliance – QinetiQ North America
• Greg Kane, Manager, Global Logistics & Trade Compliance – Endeavor Robotics  

Date: Thursday, November 1, 2018
Time: Registration 9:30 a.m.; Program 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon
Location: Teradyne, Inc., 600 Riverpark Drive, North Reading
Cost: $50 / no charge for Compliance Alliance members

Establishing, Managing and Motivating International Distribution Channels

Most exporters depend on channel partners, such as distributors or sales reps, to generate sales in overseas markets. In fact, an exporter's success in an overseas market is often directly tied to the effectiveness of the company's channel partner in that market.

Effectively negotiating and structuring contracts with these partners is equally critical for achieving profits and growth while minimizing confusion, disputes and poor performance.  This seminar will provide tips for finding reliable overseas partners and providing the support and motivation they need in order to effectively generate sales. 

The seminar will also provide guidance for achieving a win-win agreement and relationship with overseas channel partners. Specific topics to be discussed include identifying, qualifying, managing, supporting and motivating overseas channel partners; effectively managing contract negotiations; sales and performance requirements; exclusivity; essential contract elements; dispute resolution alternatives and more. 

The program will also include real-world examples and best practices from a panel of exporting firms who will discuss strategies for success. This program will benefit top management, international sales and marketing staff, export operations staff, and in-house counsel. 

Speakers include:

• Maryanne Burke, Senior International Trade Specialist – U.S. Department of Commerce
• Brooke Fishback, Managing Director – Go & Grow Global LLC
• Miriam Isreb, Senior Marketing Associate – REXA Electraulic Actuation
• Neil Isreb, International Sales Manager – Rexa, Inc.
• David Long, Chief Operating Officer – V.H. Blackinton & Co., Inc.
• Nancy Lowd, Senior International Trade Advisor – Massachusetts Export Center

Date: Friday, November 2, 2018
Time: Registration 8:30 a.m.; Program 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon
Location: HarborOne U, Mansfield Campus, 131 Copeland Drive, Mansfield
Cost: $50 for all

Tariff Management: Rethinking Your Supply Chain for Today's International Trade Climate

With recent, dramatic escalations in U.S. and global tariffs, it has become increasingly important to manage supply chains via tariff management. Tariff management involves a systematic approach to taking advantage of all opportunities provided by the Customs regulations to reduce your total duty burden while remaining compliant with laws and regulations. An effective tariff management program allows your company to profit by reducing costs of doing business in a fiercely competitive global economy.

This seminar, which will focus on tariff management, is targeted at importers and exporters that are looking to reduce, eliminate or defer tariffs through mechanisms such as duty drawback and tariff engineering, and using free trade zones, temporary import bonds, and customs bonded warehouses.

This interactive program will feature well-known experts in the area of tariff management and will provide an opportunity for the participants to ask specific questions relevant to their global trade operations.   

Speakers include:

• Matthew Bock, Esq., LCB , Partner – Middleton & Shrull
• Lewis Frazer, Senior Vice President – Barrett Distribution Centers
• Robert Kenneally, President – New England Drawback Specialists, Inc.

Date: Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Time: Registration 8:30 a.m.; Program 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon
Location: Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Karl Weiss Center, 75 North Drive, Westborough
Cost: $50 / no charge for Compliance Alliance members  

Export Expo

Please visit our dedicated Expo page at www.mass.gov/export/expo for the most up-to-date information, including speakers, exhibitors and sponsors.

Join us for the state’s largest and most important export event of the year that brings together resources, training and information for the local exporting community!

The Massachusetts Export Center’s Export Expo provides a forum for exporters to connect with the wide range of export resources available in Massachusetts while learning about issues that impact their day-to-day export operations.

The event will include an exhibit area featuring government, non-profit and private sector service providers serving the export community. Coinciding with the exhibition, the Export Center will convene workshops and roundtable discussions throughout the day on a variety of export-related topics.

This year’s Export Expo will focus on the rapidly-changing global trade environment, including recent and anticipated shifts in U.S. trade policy. Hot-button issues such as China and tariff policy, tightening foreign investment policy, NAFTA and free trade policy, export controls, sanctions, enforcement and more will be addressed, with a focus on helping companies to navigate a dynamic and increasingly complex global trade environment.
	KEYNOTE SPEAKER Richard Ashooh, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration [bio] Assistant Secretary Ashooh will provide an update on the latest export regulatory developments and the outlook for export control policy.  Specifically, he will address BIS’ implementation of the directives set forth under the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA), including the review of end-use and end-user controls for exports to China and other U.S. and U.N. arms embargo markets.  He will also discuss how BIS is working with other agencies to identify “emerging and foundational technologies” as described under the ECRA, and how this may impact development of new export controls for industries such as robotics, artificial intelligence, financial technologies, and others for which Massachusetts is a hub.
	SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER   Clay Lowery, Managing Director - Rock Creek Global Advisors and former Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, U.S. Treasury Department and Chair, Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) [bio]   Mr. Lowery will discuss tightening foreign investment policy in the U.S. and the expanded jurisdiction of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) under the new Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA). Specifically, Mr. Lowery will discuss the CFIUS pilot program, effective November 10, 2018, that will require mandatory CFIUS filings for both controlling and non-controlling foreign investments in U.S. businesses that develop critical technologies associated with several key Massachusetts sectors, including aircraft and aerospace, computers, defense technology, photonics, nanotechnology, biotechnology, marine technology, semiconductor devices and machinery, telecommunications, and others. Mr. Lowery will also discuss trends for CFIUS screening and scrutiny, penalties and enforcement, and guidelines for compliance.
	OPENING SPEAKER Erin Ennis, Senior Vice President U.S. China Business Council [bio] Ms. Ennis will address the state of the U.S.-China trade relationship, including Section 301 tariffs, as well as trends in other areas, such as intellectual property protection, anticipated tightening of U.S. export controls to China and increased scrutiny of Chinese investment in the U.S.  She will also address the response on China’s end, including their own retaliatory tariffs, implementation of their new export control regime and other developments.  She will provide an outlook for the future of the U.S.-China trade relationship and guidance for businesses as they navigate the rapidly-changing trade environment with China and contemplate mitigation strategies for managing these changes.

>> Click here to see what Governor Baker says about the Export Expo!

The Export Expo will feature influential guest speakers, opportunities to connect with experts to answer your specific export questions, networking and fun! This event regularly sells out. Space is limited, so register early!

Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities are available! For additional information, click here or contact Paula Murphy at 617-973-6610 or paula.murphy@massexport.org.

Date: Friday, December 7, 2018
Time: Registration & Exhibits Open at 8:30 a.m.; Program 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: State Transportation Building, 2nd Floor Conference Center, 10 Park Plaza, Boston
Cost: $45 / no charge for Compliance Alliance members (includes workshops, exhibits, breakfast, and lunch)

Partners for Trade Policies (updated March 2018)

Registration: Preregistration is required for all seminars. Registration for in-person events typically closes at 12 noon on the business day prior to the event. Unless an event is full, walk-ins are allowed (see walk-in section below).

Payment: We require payment at the time of registration via credit card. Do not send credit card information via email. Please note that we do NOT accept credit card payments at the door! Also, we do not accept checks, cash or purchase orders, nor do we invoice participants for training. To qualify for series pricing, all sessions must be paid prior to the first class; otherwise, the higher individual prices prevail.

Walk-Ins: If the program description on our website or registration form indicates that the seminar is full, walk-ins are not allowed. Otherwise, you may complete a walk-in registration and bring the completed form to seminar. If the seminar has a fee, you must make the credit card payment in advance as we do not accept credit cards at the door. Please bring a copy of your payment receipt, along with the completed registration form.

Cancellations: If you cancel your registration at least 48 hours prior to the event, you will be entitled to a refund minus a $10 processing fee. No refund will be given on notifications received after that time or in any no-show situation. All cancellation and refund requests must be made to info@msbdc.umass.edu or 413-545-6309. The Export Center reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a seminar due to insufficient enrollment or other circumstances. In the case of cancellation, registration fees will be refunded.

No Shows: Due to the costs we incur as a result of people who register for seminars and do not attend or cancel, we will bill unpaid registrants for the full cost of the seminar unless cancelled at least 48 hours prior to the event. For free seminars, no shows will be charged a fee to cover food and materials costs.

Seminars are offered a at nominal fee; therefore we do not offer any discount pricing. Seminar materials are for attendees only.

If you have questions or need clarification on these policies, please call 413-545-6309.