Centers for International Trade Development Expand California’s Food & Ag Industry With High Demand Export Training at 2013 World Ag Expo

World-renowned speakers to cover export logistics, legal requirements, financing and getting paid.

CITD export training results boast annual sales increases by 30 to 50% for clients.

FRESNO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The California Centers for International Trade Development (CITD), a division of State Center Community College District (SCCCD), will hold its 22^nd Annual International Trade Symposium for World Ag Expo attendees on February 12, 2013 at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, California. The training is open to World Ag Expo attendees and is designed to meet the needs of experienced, as well as new-to-exporting, companies.

“I am proud of our ability to deliver such an impressive speaking lineup who can provide the highly demanded information necessary for food and agriculture producing companies to be successful in an international marketplace.”

The symposium is free with paid admission to the World Ag Expo and is made up of world-renowned speakers. It will consist of four seminars including:

1. Getting Paid (Payment Methods and Avoiding Risk for International Transaction) – 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

• Stephen L. Herrick, Senior Trade Manager VP, Bank of the West Commercial Banking
• Brent Stolpestad, Creative Manager, Derco Foods

2. Export Financing (Trade Credit Opportunities Available To You) – 11:30a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

• Robina Peanh, Regional Manager for International Insurance Services, Meridian Finance Group
• Gregory Morre, Senior Trade Manager, Export-Import Bank of the United States
• Kay H. Mardon, Lender Relations Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration

3. Export Logistics (Reducing Costs and Challenges of International Movements) – 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

• John A. Leitner, President & CEO, W.J. Byrnes & Co.

4. Legal Aspects of International Trade (Key Negotiation Points) – 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

• David J. Habib, Jr., Law Office of David J. Habib

“Our mission is to help guide California food and agriculture producers who are familiar with, or new, to the exporting industry by showing them what resources are available,” said Candy Hansen-Gage, Director, State Center Community College District, California Centers for International Trade Development. “I am proud of our ability to deliver such an impressive speaking lineup who can provide the highly demanded information necessary for food and agriculture producing companies to be successful in an international marketplace.” For more information on these seminars or the World Ag Expo, visit www.WorldAgExpo.com/seminars.

With 95% of the World’s consumers outside the United States’ borders, participating food and Ag businesses have an opportunity to potentially increase their annual sales by 30-50% through exporting according to export sales numbers tracked by CITD clients over a seven year period. Through their vast experience – in which they’ve developed more than $650 million in direct export sales, led more than 150 food and agricultural trade missions, and provided export training and assistance to over 5,000 companies – CITD works year-round to advance California’s international trade and competitiveness, assist exporters and importers, and advance economic and job growth through a number of programs.

Following their export training at the World Ag Expo, CITD, along with the California Department of Food (CDFA), is host to the CalAgX training program. Since the program was first offered in 2006, CalAgX has trained over 300 people representing 185 California commodities. This very specific training program is tailored to producers, growers, processors and marketers of California grown or processed Specialty Crops.

Past participants of the CalAgX program have reported great success in expanding into new global markets and over $16 million in export sales specifically attributed to the training program. This year, six sessions are being offered throughout California in Clovis, Sacramento and Corona to meet the learning needs of food and agriculture companies throughout the State. Sessions run March 5, 2013 through May 16, 2013. For additional details, including session dates and registration information, visit www.Fresnocitd.org/services/calagx.

In addition, CITD’s new partnership with the nation’s largest regional food show, the Fresno Food Expo, will bring 25 qualified international buyers to the 2013 Expo as part of an organized buying mission dedicated to expanding existing export activity for San Joaquin Valley-based Expo exhibitors. Companies participating in the Expo, taking place in Fresno, California, will have the one-on-one opportunity to meet with buyers while being supported by CITD’s team of foreign trade experts who can help strengthen these new opportunities. Exhibitor registration is still open. The 2013 Fresno Food Expo will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2013. For more information, please visit www.FresnoFoodExpo.com.

“Through these new relationships, programs and training, we hope to elevate the level of awareness of these export resources available to California food and agriculture producers,” said Hansen-Gage. “As California’s distinct food industry continues to grow, our goal is to provide the State’s wide range of food producers with the tools to be sustainable and develop productive relationships with international markets.”

About California Centers for International Trade (CITD):

The California Centers for International Trade’s (CITD) mission is to promote the State’s international trade and competitiveness, assist exporters and importers, and advance economic and job growth. The CITD specializes in food and agricultural export assistance and serves California through export training, one-on-one counseling, applied research and participating in CITD hosted buying missions. Since 2005, the CITD has maintained a Memorandum of Agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). Through the MOA, the CITD serves as the “ex officio” export division of CDFA and host all incoming buying mission to California. For more information, visit http://fresnocitd.org.

About State Center Community College District (SCCCD):

State Center Community College District (SCCCD) was formed in 1964 and currently serves approximately one million people and 18 unified and high school districts in more than 5,500 square miles of urban and rural territory, including most of Fresno and Madera Counties and portions of Kings and Tulare Counties. Total district enrollment averages over 40,000 students each semester. Its mission is to create lifelong learning and success for all students by providing accountable, accessible, innovative and quality educational and services that enable productive citizenship in a diverse, global society. For more information on SCCCD, go to www.scccd.edu.