MML First Fridays Presents…
Export Markets and Capital: How to find new customers and get paid!
Friday May 1st, 2015 7:15 am – 9:00 am
This event will touch on the things that matter to manufacturers – growing the top line by finding new customers overseas and how to mitigate the risk of not getting paid. In our short time together, we will highlight the services available to companies looking to expand their customer base outside the US borders and present the tools available to not only mitigate receivable risk, but also the working capital programs available to finance export activity.We are currently witnessing the greatest economic shift in history – global economic balance shift to the East and South with unprecedented speed and scale where the growing consuming class is emerging beyond US borders in the emerging world. In the 1990’s, approximately 1 in 5 global citizens had discretionary income beyond their daily need – much of which was in the US, Western Europe and Japan. This number has doubled in our current time and is expected to double again in the next 20 years – an estimated $30 trillion dollars of additional consumer and business investment spend. With 3 of the 5 top countries with the most billionaires being from emerging countries (China, Russia and India), this is only indicative of the rising consuming class from the entire emerging world which is why it is often stated that over 90% of US company’s customers are outside of the U.S. borders.
Come join the discussion and network with others who are focused on this strategic initiative.
The Speakers:
Larry Dill – Director, Missouri SBTDC – International Trade Center
As State Director of the Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Centers (MO SBTDC) International Trade Program at the University of Missouri, Larry Dill provides statewide leadership to the international trade programming efforts of the MO SBTDC.
Larry has been involved in international trade (private & public sector) since the mid-90’s. He currently assists small businesses owners across the state to advise and train them to identify potential export markets, and develop strategy that will aid in successful foreign market entry. He also works to develop relationships with partner agencies across the state and nationally in an attempt to help strengthen the international trade resources and assistance available to Missouri businesses.
Larry graduated from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale with a degree in Accounting. He is a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP), a Certified CGBP Trainer, and a member of the NASBITE International Board of Governors.
Al Li – VP, Global Trade Finance at Regions Financial Corporation
Al Li is VP of Global Trade Finance at Regions Bank for the Midwest area that includes Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. With almost 20 years of corporate finance and banking experience that includes time at Monsanto and Bank of America, Al works with importers and exporters of all sizes to help them with foreign credit risk mitigation solutions and working capital solutions which includes various insurance products and guarantee programs involving the Export-Import Bank of the United States (ExIm), SBA, and Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).
Native to the St. Louis area, Al holds a BA of Communications and MA of Economics from the University of Missouri and an Executive MBA from Washington University. In addition to his responsibilities at the bank, he is also a Board Member of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis that supports Asian professionals and Asian-owned businesses as well as develops commerce between Asian countries and local businesses throughout the St. Louis Metro Area. He is also a passionate supporter of the Mosaic Project and has recently joined the Board of the International Institute’s Community Development Corporation that provides micro-lending services to the immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs residing in the St. Louis area.
Friday May 1st, 2015
7:15 – 8:00 am – Breakfast & Networking
8:00 – 8:45 am – Presentation
8:45 – 9:00 am – Question & AnswerEvent Location
The Lodge Des Peres
1050 Des Peres Rd.
St Louis, MO 63131
