Calendar of International Training and
Events
The
Massachusetts Export Center offers a wide variety of in-person and
online training for both the beginner and advanced exporter. All events
are held in Massachusetts unless otherwise noted. Please take a
moment to review our payment and cancellation
policies.
Click on the image to right to download our Early 2020 Partners for Trade training booklet.
Important Registration Information:
- Each training event has a separate registration page. Please register for all events first and then make one single credit card payment for the total amount due. The registration and payment systems are not integrated, so you will need to know the total amount due.
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- Login
details for LIVE webinars are sent from one of
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Special thanks to our corporate
sponsor
2020 Training Calendar |
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| SEPTEMBER | |
| 16 | STEP Grant Application Program (webinar) |
Program Descriptions
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OFAC’s Enforcement Cases of 2019
2019 was the most active enforcement year in more than a decade measured by aggregate penalties. Enforcement actions increased from 2018, and more non-financial companies found themselves in OFAC’s crosshairs than in the past. One particular focus area was sanctions enforcement involving M&A transactions, in particular sanctions violations committed by acquired foreign companies post-closing. Notably, in most cases, the U.S. acquirer conducted preinvestment due diligence sufficient to identify the target’s dealings with sanctioned countries, and took affirmative steps to try to terminate those dealings. Notwithstanding these efforts, OFAC imposed penalties because the acquired companies continued to violate U.S. sanctions. Following these enforcement actions, acquirers are firmly on notice that OFAC expects them to supplement robust preacquisition diligence with robust post-acquisition monitoring, to ensure that acquired companies comply with U.S. sanctions. Other 2019 enforcement actions involved, for example:
Speakers: Alexandra Lopez-Casero, partner at Nixon Peabody LLP, will be joined by her colleague, Robert Fisher, a former Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General who spent nearly a decade working for the United States Attorney’s Office in Boston with much of this time as a member of the Public Corruption and Special Investigations Unit, which included enforcement actions involving international trade violations. Date: Thursday, January 30, 2020 |
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CFIUS Update: Implementation of New Final Rules The Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) recently published final rules implementing sweeping changes to the Committee’s jurisdiction and review process. The regulations become effective on February 13, 2020. The new rules further expand the set of transactions subject to CFIUS review, including a range of non-controlling investments, and affect U.S. businesses of all sizes. CFIUS’ expanded jurisdiction focuses on “TID businesses,” meaning businesses involved with: Critical Technology, Critical Infrastructure and Sensitive Personal Data. Filings for some investments will be mandatory; for other investments, filings may be advisable but not mandatory; and for many transactions, CFIUS risk allocation language should be included, even if filings are not warranted. Join us for this timely webinar to learn about these imminent rules and major changes that will be of concern to any U.S. business considering accepting foreign funds through a minority investment, majority investment, joint venture or acquisition. Speakers:
Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2020 |
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CMMC Ready: Cybersecurity Strategies for Exporters
On January 31, the DoD released the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), which requires every prime and subcontractor to have their cybersecurity controls audited and certified in order to win new business. As a sort of enforcement mechanism for the DFARS 252.204-7012 clause — which will be modified this year to reflect the new rules — CMMC will force companies to fully implement cybersecurity controls to protect Controlled Unclassified Information on their networks. In this session, we will parse out what to expect from this evolving program and offer strategies on how to prepare for the changes. Exporters subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) must also note that, on March 25, an ITAR amendment will go into effect, creating a definition of "activities that are not exports, reexports, retransfers, or temporary imports." ITAR will receive a long-awaited encryption carve-out that, similar to EAR, deems that data protected by end-to-end encryption does not constitute an export, even if it travels across foreign communications infrastructure. Participants will learn: - What to expect from the new CMMC program and how to prepare; - How the DFARS 252.204-7012 rule will change to incorporate CMMC and a new cybersecurity confidence rating system; - What's changing this year in ITAR encryption controls and how it affects exporters. Speakers:
Date: Thursday, February 27, 2020
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Complying with the OFAC 50% Rule Compliance with the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) “50% Rule” is one of the biggest global trade compliance challenges facing businesses today. The Rule was first introduced in 2008 when OFAC issued guidance restricting U.S. persons from conducting business with entities that are owned 50% or more by a sanctioned party. The Rule was enhanced in 2014 to restrict entities that are owned by multiple sanctioned parties, directly or indirectly, with an aggregate interest of 50% or more. And in recent years, OFAC has begun to enforce compliance with the Rule, issuing financial penalties even in “non-egregious” cases involving voluntary self-disclosure. With the increased use of sanctions and enhancements to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List under the Trump Administration, combined with opacity in obtaining corporate ownership information in high-risk markets, such as Russia, many U.S. businesses engaged in global trade struggle to ensure that their operations are truly compliant with the 50% Rule. Join us to learn specifics about the 50% Rule, including affected sanctioned parties, ownership restrictions, and the implication of certain grey areas, such as entities that may be controlled, but not owned, by blocked parties. This webinar will also review best practices and tools for compliance, including risk assessment, screening and due diligence policies, use of end user statements, and other strategies for managing risk. Our speaker will be Joshua Shrager, senior vice president at Kharon. Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2020 |
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COVID-19 Global Trade Webinar Series: Financial Programs Under the CARES Act Join us for this webinar to learn about the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act's (CARES Act) provisions relating to economic relief programs for small and medium-sized businesses. The webinar will provide guidance on eligibility determination, use of proceeds, program specifications, and the application process for the loan programs established by the CARES Act, including the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses and the Mid-Sized Business Loan Program. The webinar will be presented by members of the Arent Fox Business Loan Task Force, and speakers will be:
Date: Thursday, April 9, 2020 |
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If you are an exporter, importer, international sales or logistics personnel, or anyone who works with international trade documentation and compliance, you should not miss this program. Our speakers will provide an overview of the new Incoterms®, discuss how to use them, and implement them to your advantage. Speakers include:
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2020 |
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COVID-19 Global Trade Webinar Series: Managing Business Risk During the COVID-19 Pandemic Join us for this timely webinar to address the challenges for businesses grappling with risk management issues and supply chain disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic. The session will address regulatory updates impacting supply chain and imports and exports; proactive and forward-looking risk management through contract negotiation and drafting; and risk mitigation strategies through use of force majeure clauses, legal doctrine, and dispute resolution. Our speakers will be:
Date: Friday, April 17, 2020 |
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COVID-19 Global Trade Webinar Series: Transportation, Customs & Supply Chain Update Join us for the third webinar in our series, where we will discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on trade, transportation, Customs and global supply chains. The webinar will provide an update on trends in different parts of the world, how cargo flows have been impacted by reduced schedules and staff at airlines, inbound and outbound Customs issues, and how all of these trends have impacted global supply chains. Our speaker will be Kristen Morneau, Senior Trade Advisor with Mohawk Global Trade Advisors. Date: Friday, May 1, 2020 |
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ATA Carnets: Facilitate Duty Free Temporary Exports While Saving Time and Money Exhibiting at a foreign trade show? Shipping demo equipment to your overseas sales agent? Traveling for work and carrying professional equipment? Save time and simplify Customs clearance while avoiding costly Temporary Import Bonds by using an ATA Carnet instead! An ATA Carnet is an internationally-accepted Customs document that allows for goods to travel between 85+ countries and territories without the need to pay import duties or taxes, resulting in significant cost savings. It is one of the most helpful tools that exporters can use for temporary shipments! Carnets offer many advantages, but it is important that they are processed correctly to avoid Customs claims and penalties due to no proof of re-exportation. Join us as we discuss the benefits of ATA Carnets, including their uses and management. This program will offer comprehensive guidance for the proper handling of Carnets, including use of Carnets for controlled goods. Tips for troubleshooting will be provided for challenging scenarios, such as goods remaining in-country permanently; goods not re-exported in a timely manner; or cases when the Carnet may be lost or stolen. The speaker will be Kiel Ursin, Carnet Specialist with Boomerang Carnets. Date: Friday, May 15, 2020 |
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Trade Compliance "Off-the-Record" Discussion Group
Join us to connect with fellow trade compliance practitioners for an off-the-record, informal discussion to compare notes and discuss compliance challenges across any number of areas: screening and compliance with ever-growing list-based sanctions; jurisdiction and licensing issues; tariffs and customs compliance issues; recent regulatory developments, including possible changes to de minimus allowances and the foreign direct product rule, new controls on emerging and foundational technologies, the information technology supply chain executive order, and much more. Bring your questions and concerns to share with the group. The discussion will be led by experienced trade compliance practitioners. Date: Friday, June 5, 2020 Cosponsored by Teradyne, Inc. |
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USMCA Is Coming: What You Need to Know to Prepare The new U.S. Canada Mexico Agreement (USMCA) will go into effect on July 1, 2020, with no transition period from NAFTA. This means that companies currently taking advantage of NAFTA should be preparing now to meet the new requirements under the USMCA so that they can continue to benefit from preferential duty treatment between the U.S., Canada and Mexico under the new agreement. Under the new agreement, companies will see changes to the Rules of Origin, meaning that some products may no longer be eligible for preferential duty treatment. Additionally, certifying origin will no longer require a specific form, though certain data elements must be included in the declaration. Other changes include increased De Minimis levels, IP protection measures, and the inclusion of provisions for e-commerce and digital trade. Join us to hear from experts discussing these and other differences between NAFTA and USMCA, and learn what exporters and importers need to do now to prepare for the imminent changes. Our speaker will be Paula Connelly, principal with Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. Date: Friday, June 12, 2020 |
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Expansion of Export Controls on China, Russia and Venezuela In the last few months, the United States has announced new rules that will significantly expand export restrictions on China, Russia and Venezuela. On April 28, the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published a highly-anticipated final rule that further tightens controls on exports, reexports and in-country transfers to military end users and end uses in China, Russia and Venezuela. It also issued a final rule withdrawing License Exception CIV for these countries. These final rules go into effect on June 29, 2020. On May 15, BIS issued an interim final rule, effective immediately, that significantly expands the foreign direct product rule to cover additional foreign-produced items destined to Huawei. And while these rules tighten restrictions on exports, reexports and in country transfers of certain controlled items and technology, there are also significant implications for companies that export EAR99 items and technology. Join us for this webinar to hear specifics on the new requirements under the rules and how they will impact your company. We will also discuss ways to mitigate compliance risk through licensing, export reporting, screening and KYC due diligence. Our speaker will be Ajay Kuntamukkala, partner with Hogan Lovells. Date: Thursday, June 18, 2020 |
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In our digital age, the Internet has given consumers unprecedented control of the purchasing process. 95% of the world’s markets lie outside the United States, but in order to seize that opportunity, your website must become your best sales rep! Your prospects, customers, and competitors are all online, but are your website and online presence the best they can be to showcase your brand and your business to the global marketplace? During this program, we will discuss best practices in website localization, online marketing, and e-commerce strategy that will help exporters build their brands and grow their businesses by creating the best user experience for their international customers. Join us to learn about the key success factors for an intelligent global digital marketing strategy that will help companies to get found, be understood, and improve customer experience. The speaker will be Jeff Ardis, Business Development Director at IBT Online. Date: Thursday, July 16, 2020 |
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China Global Trade and CFIUS Compliance Update
Proposed regulations to implement the May 2019 executive order on telecommunications supply chain security would establish a new regulatory process in which certain transactions would be subject to review, mitigation, and even the prohibition or unwinding of completed transactions, and would provide for significant penalties for failure to meet regulatory obligations. Rollbacks to allowances under the De Minimis and Foreign Direct Product Rules are expected to restrict claims that items and technology are not subject to U.S. export controls to largely target U.S. exports to China. There will soon be new restrictions on "emerging and foundational" technologies, which will be controlled for export to China as mandated under the Export Control Reform Act. The recently-implemented final rule on transactions subject to mandatory review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) will provide for heightened scrutiny of Chinese investment in U.S. businesses involved in critical technology, critical infrastructure and sensitive personal data. Join us to learn about these developments and more, and how to best manage the increasing compliance risks associated with doing business in or with China. The speakers will be:
Date: Friday, July 24, 2020 |
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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. Please note that there are important changes to the scope of the program this year. 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! Speakers:
Time: 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. EST Location: Webinar Cost: No charge Contact: Massachusetts Export Center at 617-973-6610 |
| Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 Upcoming Events |
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The Changing Global Trade Landscape: Making Sense of Recent Trade Developments
Over the past several years the US trade policy has been in a flux, with new developments impacting importers, exporters, policy and decision makers, as well as consumers. Recent changes have impacted all of the US major trading partners, including Canada, Mexico, China, Japan and the countries of the European Union. Please join us for this dynamic panel of experts and practitioners who will discuss these changes, including the new US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) that replaced NAFTA, trade agreements with China and Japan, tariff actions and their impact. This program is an opportunity for established and prospective exporters, importers and economic development practitioners to understand the implications of recent developments in trade for supply chain management, international sales growth, competitive landscape, national security and regional economic stability. This event is suitable for both experienced traders and those who are just thinking about starting out internationally, as well as those who are interested in learning more about trade. The panel will include a discussion of recent trade policy actions, government services available to exporters, and a case study by an established exporter. Speakers:
Date: TBA |
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Complying with U.S. Export Controls
The program will cover the information exporters need to know to comply with U.S. export control requirements under these regulations. We will focus on what items and activities are subject to the EAR; steps to take to determine the export licensing requirements for your item; how to determine your export control classification number (ECCN); when you can export or reexport without applying for a license; Automated Export System (AES) procedures and requirements; sanctions programs; Export Compliance Program (ECP) concepts; and real life examples in applying this information. Presenters will conduct a number of "hands-on" exercises that will prepare you to apply the regulations to your own company's export activities. This one-of-a-kind program is well suited for those who need a comprehensive understanding of their obligations under the EAR. The instructors are experienced export policy specialists, and enforcement personnel from BIS's field offices. This seminar will also include guest speakers from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control. The instructors will be available during the seminar to answer your questions. **Please read the important information regarding cancellation and refund policy, parking details and hotel reservations below the registration button. Exhibitor Opportunities Available - Click here to learn more! Dates: TBA -
Spring 2021 |
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How to Build an Export Compliance Program
Agenda topics include guidance on how to establish an Export Compliance Program, strategies to enhance your company’s compliance program, how to avoid common compliance errors, and how to build a solid framework for your company’s compliance program. This program includes small group discussion, hands-on exercises, compliance peer networking, and provides a written example of an export compliance program as well as the Office of Exporter Services January, 2018 revised Export Compliance Guidelines to assist in developing your compliance program. Note: The information presented in this program is not a legal requirement of the Export Administration Regulations. It is intended to give informational advice and guidance based on industry best practices in the field of compliance. Recommended prerequisite: Complying with U.S. Export Controls or equivalent experience. The instructors are experienced export policy specialists, engineers, and enforcement personnel from BIS's Washington, D.C. headquarters and field offices, as well as representatives from other U.S. government agencies as appropriate. The instructors will be available throughout the seminar to answer your questions on how the export regulations affect the export activities of your organization or client. **Please read the important information regarding cancellation and refund policy, parking details and hotel reservations below the registration button. Exhibitor Opportunities Available - Click here to learn more! Date: TBA - Spring 2021 |
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U.S. - U.K. Small and Medium Enterprise Dialogue
The 5th United States-United Kingdom Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Dialogue, under the auspices of the U.S.- UK Trade and Investment Working Group, will take place on Wednesday, April 8, 2020, in Boston. The SME Dialogue is convened by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Small Business Administration with the UK Department for International Trade, and the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Launched in 2018 in Washington, D.C. and London, and convening subsequently in New York City and Bristol, the SME Dialogue is an ongoing exchange bringing small and medium businesses and stakeholders on both sides of the Atlantic together with government officials to identify ways to deepen U.S.-UK trade and investment ties and strengthen cooperation on issues of mutual interest to SMEs. Trade between the two countries is about $230 billion per year, and together there is around $1 trillion invested in each other’s economies. Topics for discussion include:
Attendees will be able to engage in discussion with experts and learn about tools and resources to grow their business internationally. Date: TBA Cosponsored by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, U.S. Commercial Service in Boston, U.S. Small Business Administration, Massachusetts Export Center, British Embassy, and the British Consulate in Boston |
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Powering Your Exports: A Program for Manufacturing and Tech Companies
If you are a manufacturing or technology company in Massachusetts, you should be connected to the global market. Many successful exporters derive more revenue from outside the US than from within it. How do they do it? What steps can you take to do the same? And how can you build export operations that are both effective and compliant? This program is about taking your sales and operations to the next level — we’ll discuss the steps to take for international expansion, implementation of export operations, and some of the potential pitfalls to be avoided. We’ll also review the many government resources, including grants and other supports, that are available to help supercharge your exports! Speakers include:
Date: TBA Cosponsored by Harvard Ed Portal |
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Partners for Trade Training Policies (updated
February 2020)
Payment:
We require payment at
the time of registration via credit card. Do not email any credit card information.
We do NOT accept credit card payments at the
door.
We also do not accept checks, cash or purchase orders,
nor do we invoice participants for training.
Cancellations/Refunds (does not apply to
the 2020 BIS training...see ** below):
If you cancel your registration at least 48 hours prior
to the event (see exception below for BIS training), 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 submitted via
email to
pft@msbdc.umass.edu. 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.
**BIS 2020 Training Cancellation/Refund Policy:
The registration fee is non-refundable after June 8,
2020 at 5pm. With a 48-hour advance notice, you may send
a substitute. All cancellation, refund requests and
substitutions must be submitted via email to
pft@msbdc.umass.edu. 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.
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 who don't cancel 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. |
Join
us as we discuss the key OFAC enforcement actions of 2019,
along with implications and enforcement trends. 
For companies doing business with the U.S. Department
of Defense (DoD), this year brings major changes in
cybersecurity requirements, signaling a sea change for
every company on a DoD supply chain.
Incoterms®
provide internationally-accepted definitions and rules
of interpretation for the most common commercial terms
used in contracts for the global sale and transfer of
goods. The terms help traders to avoid costly
misunderstandings by clarifying the tasks, costs and
risks involved in the delivery of goods from sellers to
buyers worldwide. The new Incoterms® 2020 rules came
into force on January 1, 2020, and the revision
incorporates changes in both substance and presentation
of the Incoterms®.
The
current global trade compliance environment is the most
challenging and complex in recent memory. 
The U.S. government has been expanding national
security-based restrictions in connection with
technical, business and academic activities involving
China, which is having far-reaching implications for a
wide range of industry sectors as well as academia,
startups and investors. There has been a proliferation
of Chinese parties subject to list-based sanctions,
perhaps best exemplified by the addition of Huawei and
others to the U.S. Entity List. 
Sorry,
this event has been postponed unitl the fall. 
This two-day program is led by BIS's professional
counseling staff and provides an in-depth examination
of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The
seminar will also feature guest speakers from the BIS
Office of Export Enforcement; the U.S. Census Bureau;
and the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign
Assets Control. 
This
event has been postponed until the fall.
This
event has been postponed.