Minority and Immigrant Entrepreneurs Invited to Free Conference on Opportunities for Starting Small Businesses

Entrepreneurs from the Pittsburgh Region - particularly from underserved minority and immigrant communities - are invited to attend a free conference on Friday, March 30 titled "The Economics of Entrepreneurialism, Wealth and Globalization" featuring government and community development leaders from 8 a.m. to Noon at Hosanna House in Wilkinsburg. The program is being coordinated by Pittsburgh-based CEED.

Topics will include:
- How to Secure Bank Financing for Your Small Business
- CEED Skills to Wealth Small Business Assistance Information Session
- How to do Business with Allegheny County
- Key Priorities and Accessing Government Funding

Speakers include:
- Congressman Mike Doyle, 14th Congressional District of Pennsylvania
- Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County Chief Executive
- Willie C. Taylor, Regional Director, Economic Development Administration, US Department of Commerce
- Cedric Grant, Director, Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, US Department of Commerce
- Ruth Byrd-Smith, Director, M/W/DBE Department of Allegheny County
- Dr. Howard B. Slaughter, Jr., CEO, Christian Management Enterprises, LLC
- Rufus Idris, Executive Director, Christian Evangelistic Economic Development (CEED)
- John Thompson, Mayor of Wilkinsburg (Welcome)
- Bishop Loran E. Mann, Prelate, Vermont Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction - Church of God in Christ (Opening Prayer)

Hosanna House is located at 807 Wallace Avenue, Wilkinsburg, PA, 15221.

This event is free of charge and open to the general public. There will be light refreshments and an International Dance Performance.

Please register with CEED at info@usaceed.org or 412-450-8070.
READ FULL ARTICLE

GlobalPittsburgh Co-Hosting Free Global Immigration Update Seminar With Special Emphasis on Brazil March 27

GlobalPittsburgh is partnering with the law firm of Cohen & Grigsby to host a free Global Immigration Update Seminar with a special emphasis on Brazil on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at C&G's office at 625 Liberty Avenue, Downtown.

The seminar will cover various outbound immigration topics, including:
- Topics and Trends in Brazilian Immigration (with Brazilian guest speaker Isa Soter)
- Only Business is "Business" (and may require a visa)
- ...Except When it's "Work" (and may require work authorization)
- Effects of Foreign Immigration on Holders of U.S. Visas

For complete event details, CLICK HERE to view the invitation. Registrations are still being accepted. To register now for this free event, go to https://extranet.cohenlaw.com/​WebSite/Secure/globImmUpd/​registration.nsf/Registration?​OpenForm READ FULL ARTICLE

SBDC Certificate Program Helps Small/Mid-Sized Businesses Prepare For Exporting

Small and mid-sized companies in the Pittsburgh region are invited to learn how they can export their goods and services through a five-part Export Series Certificate Program offered by the Global Business Program at the Duquesne University Small Business Development Center in partnership with several state and federal agencies. 

The program will be held March 27, April, 3, 10, 17, 24, 2012. The cost is $175.

Working with the Duquesne SBDC to sponsor the program are Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, the U.S. Commercial Service, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development-Center for Trade Development, the Center for International Regulatory Assistance, and the Export-Import Bank.

This exclusive training program has been carefully designed to educate dynamic business leaders and small/mid size businesses who are committed to maximizing their companies’ exports.

The course is intended for companies showing the following 5 characteristics:
1) management commitment,
2) financial capacity,
3) product qualification (including sales history),
4) market potential,
5) production capacity.

This Export Certificate Program will prepare your company to:
• Discover new opportunities and customers through new markets
• Develop an Internal Export Plan
• Open Global distribution networks
• Comply with U.S. Export Regulations

March 27, 2012: Session 1 - Export Market Opportunities, Strategies and Plan. Identify if your product or service has export potential. Learn about exporting statistics and find out what your competition is doing in the global marketplace. Find out about resources available to penetrate your chosen market. It includes an international marketing workbook to assess your company's export readiness, business goals, and commitment.

April 3, 2012: Session 2 -HTS Number, Letters of Credit, Export Financing, Payment Methods Learn how to classify your product (HTS number). Use the export financial services of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Export Import (EXIM) Bank and private sources. See how public programs help when commercial banks are unable to assist your firm. Become knowledgeable in letters of credit, documentary collections and use of open account terms.

April 10, 2012: Session 3 -U.S. Export Regulations, ITAR, CE Mark & Free Trade Agreements Learn about U.S. exports licensing and controls, various types of classifications and what you need to know about end use of your product to stay out of trouble. Comply with European Regulations such as the CE Mark which is legally mandatory. Comply with Environmental Regulations and Maximize the U.S. Free Trade Agreements with other countries.

April 17, 2012: Session 4 -International Logistics, Incoterms, Quotes, Shipping Insurance This session focuses on moving goods overseas, including packaging and labeling. Have you learned the role of a freight forwarder? This course will take you through a step-by-step process of filling out certificates of origin, bills of lading and other important documents for export. Learn about incoterms, and the services provided by freight forwarders.

April 24, 2012: Session 5 -Legal Issues: Contracts, Patents, Internet Webpage Global Marketing-Company Presentations Become familiar with the legalities of exports. Learn about agent and distributor agreements, and international contracts. How to locate agents, distributors and develop joint ventures? What is the legal system in the country you want to export? Do the same laws apply to the internet and online sales? Learn how to do global marketing and trade missions.

In order to receive the certificate attendees need to register and attend at least 4 of the 5 sessions.

Each workshop is $45 but if you pay for all five you get a discounted rate: $175

Register Online: $175.00 (or $45.00 for individual sessions) www.sbdc.duq.edu

Duquesne University-SBDC, Rockwell Hall-Room 108. 600 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15282. Time: All sessions are from 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

All executives who successfully complete this training course will receive a certificate of Export Training from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Duquesne University Small Business Development Center.

In addition, your company will be eligible to apply for a “Pennsylvania GAP Funding,” “Access the 20 countries Pennsylvania Overseas Business Offices” and “Use the Gold Key” service package to your export country of choice. This is an Export Technical Assistance Program (E-TAP) program from the SBA. Source: Export Planner, Breaking Into The Trade Game-SBA and NASBITE International-Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP).

Registration: 412-396-1633. Fax: 412-396-5884. Email: duqsbdc@duq.edu Info: Web: www.sbdc.duq.edu READ FULL ARTICLE

Locally-Produced ‘We Are All Immigrants’ Documentary to Premiere at Heinz History Center March 25

The Heinz History Center will host a preview showing of “We Are All Immigrants,” a locally produced documentary, at 2:00 p.m. on Sun., March 25. This event is free but requires advance registration.

The 30-minute documentary, which features generations of immigrants from 10 different countries, tells the compelling stories – the painful and the joyful – of immigrants who settled in Pittsburgh. Immigrants recount their challenges in coming to the city and also their contributions to the region.

The year-long project was undertaken by the PATH to Justice Committee of the Tri-Diocesan Sisters Leadership Conference with the professional expertise of Lynn Cullen, local radio broadcaster, and Dr. Dennis Woytek, an assistant professor in journalism and multimedia arts at Duquesne University. Ms. Cullen interviewed the immigrants, edited the script and provided the narration. Dr. Woytek was the videographer and film editor.

The PATH committee represents 12 congregations of Catholic women in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The committee set out to tell the stories of immigrants “in their own words” and in the context of a common humanity. Several sisters participated in the project as interpreters and transcribers.

Stay after the screening to enjoy light refreshments. Copies of the video will also be available.

Following the program, History Center staff will provide guided tours of the new Angels of Mercy exhibit on the fourth floor. This event is free but requires advance registration. Please register by contacting Robyn at rgallentine@osfprov.org or Sister Jeanette at 724-869-2151, ext. 6247. READ FULL ARTICLE

Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer to Speak in Pittsburgh March 21 on U.S.-Canada "Strategic Partnership"

Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer will be in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, March 21 for a luncheon and public policy discussion at the Duquesne Club hosted by the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh with support from the Consulate General of Canada.

Ambassador Gary Doer

The topic of Doer’s remarks is Canada and the United States: A Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century.

The luncheon will take place from Noon to 1:45 p.m. at the Duquesne Club, which is located at 325 Sixth Avenue, Downtown.

Tickets are $45 for World Affairs Council members, $60 for non-members, and $360 for a table of eight. Register at www.worldpittsburgh.org or by calling 412-281-7970.

Ambassador Doer assumed his responsibilities as Canada’s 23rd representative to the United States in October 2009. Prior to taking up his current position, Doer served as Premier of Manitoba for 10 years. During that time, he worked extensively with U.S. Governors to enhance Canada-U.S. cooperation on trade, agriculture, water protection, climate change, and renewable energy.

Doer won three consecutive elections as Premier of Manitoba and in 2005 was named by Business Week magazine as one of the top 20 international leaders on climate change. His government introduced balanced budgets during each of his ten years in office while reducing many taxes, including a plan to eliminate small business tax. As Premier, he led strategic investments in health care, education, and training and infrastructure. READ FULL ARTICLE

GlobalPittsburgh First Thursdays - April 5 at Khalil's II - Great Networking Opportunities - FREE!

The GlobalPittsburgh First Thursdays event for April will be held at Khalil's II restaurant at 4757 Baum Boulevard in North Oakland from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

GlobalPittsburgh First Thursdays is a regular monthly night of networking and socializing with different themes, different activities and different locations - but always with an international flavor - on the first Thursday of every month.

March's event will be held at Khalil's II on Thursday, April 5 from 5:30PM to 8:00PM. Join us for an evening of friends, interesting conversation and good spirits with an international flair.

Meet GlobalPittsburgh members, friends & visitors from many countries, and network with globally-minded people from Pittsburgh and all over. There will be free appetizers, bar specials, raffles, and more. 

There will be membership information at the event, but you may also join GlobalPittsburgh now at http://www.globalpittsburgh.org/membership

Admission is FREE. Bring your friends! If you have questions, please call Tim at 412-392-4513 or by email at tallen@globalpittsburgh.org.

CLICK HERE for a printable poster/invitation.

Thanks to support from Welcoming America!

Photos from past First Thursdays and a few other GlobalPittsburgh events, activities, and programs can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/

See you there!

The GlobalPittsburgh Team

READ FULL ARTICLE

GlobalPittsburgh Hosting Delegation of Environmental Policymakers from Kazakhstan in March

GlobalPittsburgh is hosting a delegation of environmental policymakers from the Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan March 2-11 as they study environmental programs and projects in the Pittsburgh region.

The group is coming to Pittsburgh through the Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress, which enables emerging Eurasian political and civic leaders to work with their U.S. counterparts and experience American-style democracy at the local level.

While in Pittsburgh, the delegates will meet with their professional counterparts working on a variety of environmental issues in the region, learn about U.S. federal, regional, and local government initiatives that undertake environmental cleanup and promote environmentally friendly best practices, and learned about cooperative efforts involving nonprofit organizations, the private sector, and the general public.

Through the Open World program, the delegates and their U.S. Counterparts are able to learn new ways to protect the environment while benefiting the local and national economies.

The program is expected to lead to new collaborations between Pittsburgh organizations and organizations in Kazakhstan to help protect people’s health and the environment, and help better the economy of the United States and Kazakhstan.

Participants in the program are:
- Ms. Saltanat Kuatbekovna Baymurzanova
Executive Director, Foundation, "EcoIDEA" - Agency for Green Initiatives", NGO
- Ms. Yuliya Nikolayevna Dushkina
Standardization Specialist, Center for Kazakhstan's Sustainable Development, LLC
- Ms. Irina Olegovna Ignatovich
Deputy Director; SPARE (School Project on Application of Resources and Energy)
Program Coordinator, EcoObraz – Non-Government Association Center of Coordination and Information on Ecological Education
- Mr. Yevgeniy Vladimirovich Klimov
President, Foundation of Integration of Ecological Culture
- Ms. Mariya Leonidovna Kurnikova
Manager of the Aarhus Center in Pavlodar, “ECOM”
NGO Member of Coordination Council, Youth Ecological Network of Kazakhstan
Accompanied by:
 Ms. Nadezhda Mikhailovna Polchenko
Facilitator READ FULL ARTICLE