A Road Show with a Mission. Under the banner “Your passport to global sales starts with export knowledge from the experts,” the Go Global Road Show brought together a wealth of expertise directly to North Carolina businesses. The highlight of the event was the one-on-one consultations offered by EDPNC’s International Trade Managers and Foreign Office Directors. These sessions provided tailored advice to export-ready companies, helping them to navigate the complexities of international trade and to identify specific opportunities in markets such as Canada, Mexico, Europe, and the Middle East. Over 110 appointments took place over four days in Kannapolis, Winston-Salem, Cary and Kinston! Additional impromptu meetings occurred during the networking lunches.
Country-Specific Presentations. Attendees benefited from in-depth presentations focused on targeted foreign markets. These sessions offered invaluable insights into market trends, regulatory environments, and strategic entry points, empowering businesses to make informed decisions about their international ventures.
Networking Opportunities. The Road Show facilitated meaningful connections between North Carolina companies and key stakeholders. Representatives from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC), and the US Commercial Service were present to provide additional support and resources. This collaborative environment fostered a rich exchange of ideas and opportunities for future partnerships.
Special guest speaker. Another highlight of the event was the opportunity to listen to Christopher Leslie, a Foreign Service Officer based in Jordan. His insights into the Middle Eastern markets and his extensive experience in international trade provided attendees with a deeper understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges in the region.
Results. The success of the EDPNC Go Global Road Show 2024 underscores the importance of such initiatives in driving the international growth of North Carolina businesses. By bringing export knowledge and global market opportunities directly to local companies, EDPNC continues to play a pivotal role in fostering economic development and ensuring the state’s businesses thrive on the global stage.
International trade represents a bright spot in the state’s economy. Last year North Carolina companies exported $42.2 billion worth of goods and services around the world, an increase of more than 5 percent over the previous year.
For companies looking to expand their international footprint, the Go Global Road Show stands as a testament to the power of strategic support and expert guidance in unlocking new avenues for growth and profitability.
Spotlight: Optera Bees
One of the most interesting meetings of the week: Optera – At our stop in Kannapolis, Kaira Wagoner, CEO and Co-founder of Optera, met with Susann Gruenewald from the EDPNC’s European. After more than a decade of research and development, Optera has developed a highly effective system to measure honeybee pest and disease resistance. The company’s pheromone-based test provides useful information to beekeepers, informing hive management and facilitating breeding of stronger, healthier honeybees. Gruenewald had done some research into Optera in preparation for the meeting, and she immediately recognized the market potential in Europe. Following this meeting, Gruenewald will provide Wagoner with resources, including study on regulatory requirements and necessary certifications for the European market, which is an in-depth market study to determine the best point of entry into Europe and identifying partners in the target market, and relevant beekeeping associations and organizations.
Thoughts from Existing Industry
On Thursday, Sarah Bernart, Existing Industry Expansions Manager for the Northeast Region, attended the Go Global Road Show stop in Kinston. She sat in on two meetings with Mary Claire Whitaker of the Mexico office and two companies, one each from Tracy Dellinger’s and Jennifer Holcomb’s regions. Dellinger and Holcomb are the Existing Industry Expansion managers for the Piedmont Triad and South Central regions, respectively. Both companies the team met with have expansions planned.
“I was impressed by the wide range of textile products offered by Zimmermann Dynayarn,” said Bernart. “The fact that they make sustainable, biodegradable yarns for vehicle upholstery is amazing to me! I wish them luck as they pursue opportunities in the medical and automotive industries in Mexico.”
Thoughts from Business Recruitment
On Wednesday, Business Recruitment Manager Kimley Blanks attended the Go Global Road Show stop in Cary, where over 75 people attended the lunchtime presentations and networking. Blanks said, “The ITD team is amazing! It was impressive to say the least, and I enjoyed hearing about all the support and opportunities offered by the division. I believe there are ways for our teams to support each other and by doing so support the businesses in North Carolina.”
RTI International
The EDPNC’s International Trade team and Foreign Office Representatives visited the Research Triangle Institute, the anchor organization for the Research Triangle Park. The nonprofit research organization was founded in 1958 by universities, government, and business leaders to retain local talent. Today RTI International has a global reach of nearly 6,000 employees with expertise in multiple industries. RTI International’s mission aims to improve the human condition by turning knowledge into practice.
RTI’s presenters—James Hunter (Vice President, Government Relations), Dave Dausch (Vice President, Technology Advancement & Commercialization), Michael Hogan (Economic Development Analyst), and Jennifer Kovolski (Senior Director, Water and Urban Resilience)—highlighted some of RTI’s focus areas, such as Health Solutions, Engineering Innovations, Energy Research and Development, Clean Energy, Economic Development, and International Development.
Our organizations identified some potential for synergies. For example, RTI’s International Development team, which focuses on agriculture and environment (including water and sanitation), governance, global health, international education, energy, and climate, partners with small and medium-sized company sub-contractors for international projects. RTI is in a position to relay subcontractor needs to the EDPNC’s International Trade team so that local companies can partner on the international projects. This is a win-win for both entities as RTI is always looking for new small and medium-sized business partners.