NOVEMBER EVENTS - 2008

November 6, 2008 @ 10:00 am CST: European Union REACH - Webinar

Do you sell to the European Union? Are you ready for REACH? REACH is the abbreviation for the Registration Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals, the new European regulation that seeks to establish responsible handling of chemical substances, ensured by preventive health and environment reviews. REACH concerns the registration of both new and old chemical substances. The REACH pre-registration deadline is December 1, 2008, so it is important to prepare now. REACH compliance will be key to avoid trade disruptions and to remain present and competitive in the EU market. REACH is a major overhaul of the European Union's chemical management regime and extends to products made with chemicals and having chemicals in their components as well as chemicals producers. Electronic and electrical equipment, automotive, aerospace, cosmetics, textiles, and paints are just few examples of sectors that will be impacted by REACH. To help you prepare and comply with this important regulation, join our relevant speakers in a European Union REACH Webinar to learn more. Mr. Val Houston is the Deputy Senior Commercial Officer for the U.S. Commercial Service at the U.S. Mission to the EU. Ms. Flavie Guerin is Commercial Specialist at the U.S. Commercial Service at the U.S. Mission to the EU. Dr. Spencer Williams is a Health Scientist and the principal officer in charge of REACH consulting with ChemRisk in Houston. This webinar will address important questions surrounding REACH including: deadlines & timelines; preregistration; the Candidate List; new developments in REACH; and appointing Only Representatives. To register or get more details, please click here: http://www.buyusa.gov/europe/team_events.html . This webinar is being offered by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Europe Team and the U.S. Mission to the European Union. As it is a web-based event, you may participate from your home or office computer.

November 9 - 13, 2008: Pack Expo 2008 - Chicago

Three Programs connect US sellers to International Buyers at PACK EXPO. PACK EXPO will focus on the latest developments in packaging technology. As a certified show under the US Department of Commerce Commercial Service's International Buyer Program (IBP), USDOC overseas colleagues have recruited international buyers from around the world. Currently, delegations from Argentina, Brazil, India, Mexico, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and Kenya, among others will attend. To meet foreign buyers and participate in a no-cost matching program, U.S. exhibitors can register at http://www.buyusa.gov/eme/pe2008advancepromo.html. In addition, opportunities to meet with U.S. Commercial Service Trade Specialists attending the show from Argentina, Brazil, Kenya, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Ukraine, etc., will be available. Exhibitors can register for this no-cost 'ShowTime' program at http://www.buyusa.gov/eme/packexpo2008.html . Further, the Commercial Service and U.S. Ex-Im Bank together with Northstar Trade Finance will also brief foreign buyers on how to obtain financing for their purchases from U.S. exporters, at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 11th in Room N-427. (http://www.exim.gov , see Product and Policy link's "Medium-Term Insurance") More on the Trade Finance Briefing for Buyers at http://www.buyusa.gov/midwest/232.html.  Questions? Please contact Jeff Graber at 312-353-7711 or Jeffrey.Graber@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov . For information on the Pack Expo Show itself, see http://pei2008.packexpo.com/index.html.

November 10-15, 2008: African Companies to Visit Chicago

The U.S. Embassy, Cameroon is sponsoring a trade mission of African executives to the U.S. The delegation will include companies with interest in several sectors, including: pre-fab housing; sewage treatment; road and home construction; information technology; oil industry services; freight services; packaging; hospitality industry supplies; cosmetics; wood; coffee; cocoa; insurance; and more. For further information, please see: http://makunainternational.com/chicagoforum_pressrelease.pdf or contact Eric M. Tande at Tel: 630 670 5551or eric_tande@N0SPAM.makunainternational.com .

November 12, 2008: Turkey: Political Economic Development For The Future - DeKalb

Turkey is a bridge between East and West; it is geographically in close proximity to 70% of the world’s proven energy resources; and Turkey is expected to achieve 50% of the European Union’s per capita income by 2014. This event is co-organized by the Central Asian Productivity Research Center (CAPRC) and the College of Business, Northern Illinois University. Speakers will include Dr. Denise Schoenbachler, Dean, College of Business, Northern Illinois University; Patrick Hope, Director of the U.S. Commercial Service-Rockford office, and Turkey’s Consul General U. Kenan Ipek ; and Dr. Harry Lepinske, Chairman, Central Asian Productivity Research Center. 9:30 a.m. at Northern Illinois University, Barsema Alumni and Visitor Center, 231 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb, Illinois. Reception, networking, and lunch starts at noon. Fee: $15, with lunch: $25. Mail checks to CAPRC, 5220 Ellington Ave., Western Springs, IL 60558. For information: 708-246-5556 or lepinske@N0SPAM.sbcglobal.net . 

November 12, 2008 @ 12:00 noon CST: Mexico – Passport to Opportunity: Strategies for U.S. Companies New to Export - Webinar

The U.S. Commercial Service is collaborating with Comerica Bank and FedEx to bring you an informational webinar on exporting to Mexico. You will learn how to find buyers, get paid, and ship your goods. For new-to-export companies, learn to mitigate risks and challenges in structuring your financial interactions in Mexico. Topics will include an overview of the Mexican market and business opportunities; an introduction to export finance and insurance payments; and transportation and logistics according to NAFTA regulations. For more information contact Stephanie.Smedile@mail.doc.gov. Cost: $45. Learn more/register: http://www.buyusa.gov/pacificsouth/mexicowebinar.html.

November 14, 2008: Macedonia – New Economic Miracle in Europe - Chicago

Presentation on recent development and opportunities for U.S. firms by Nikola Gruevski, President of the Government of Macedonia, Zoran Stavreski, Vice President of the Government of Macedonia, Philip Reeker, US Ambassador to Macedonia, Simeon Djankov, Chief Economist, The World Bank and Mike Zafirovski, President & CEO of Nortel. Best prospect sectors for U.S. firms include ICT, energy, transportation, construction and building materials, hotels/tourism, and agribusiness. Venue: Park Hyatt Chicago, 800 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611. Time: 10:00 a.m - 2:00 p.m. To register, email usoffice@N0SPAM.macedonianembassy.org   to the attention of "MK Business Forum - Chicago".

November 17, 2008: Developing an Effective International Student Recruitment Strategy - Elmhurst

The Study Illinois International Education Consortium will present a seminar entitled "Armchair Recruiting and Beyond: Developing an Effective International Recruitment Strategy," in conjunction with its annual business meeting. Members and non-members alike are encouraged to attend both the workshop and the meeting. Workshop 10:00am - 12:00, Lunch 12:00-1:00pm, Annual Meeting & Elections 1:00-2:30. Elmhurst College, Blume Board Room, Frick Center, 190 Prospect Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. Registration deadline: November 10. $20 for members, $20 for non-members. Contact: Alice Niziolek at alicen@N0SPAM.elmhurst.edu  or 630-617-3296.

DECEMBER EVENTS - 2008

December. 3, 2008 @ 12:00 noon CST: Recruiting Students from Chile - Webinar

There is great opportunity to recruit students from Chile given the Chilean government’s recent launch of a new scholarship program which provides new opportunities for students to study abroad. This interactive webinar will present strategies for recruiting students from Chile, the educational system and economic overview of this market, Chilean student flow trends and projections to the U.S., the latest visa procedures and guidance, the latest scholarship opportunities, and assistance from the U.S. Departments of Commerce in Chile. Speakers include the U.S. Department of Commerce in Chile, a Visa Officer, Education Advisor, BiNational Center and organizer of Education USA in Chile, the Chilean National Commission of Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT), and International Doorway for Education and Athletics (IDEA). Participant Fee: $35.00.

Registration link: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=9Q13  For those unable to participate live, you can now purchase a recorded version with PowerPoint for $35 and receive them within a week after the event. Please take the same registration and payment steps as if you were joining the live webinar with note of "recording only" in the company description on the registration page. Our system will still automatically send you the log-in and dial-in information, but we will know you won't join the live webinar. For questions, please contact: Gabriela Zelaya at Gabriela.Zelaya@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov  or (408) 535-2757, ext. 107 or Debra.Rogers@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov  or 312-353-6988.

December 8, 2008 @ 7:00pm CST: Tapping into Northeast China's Under-tapped Education Market – Webinar

The U.S. remains the top destination for Chinese students pursuing overseas education. This interactive webinar will present strategies for recruiting students from northeast China, an economic overview of this market, Chinese student flow trends and projections, the latest visa procedures and guidance, and assistance from the U.S. Departments of Commerce and State in northeast China. Speakers include: the U.S. Consulate in Shenyang - Commercial Section, to brief on regional economic and educational sector overview; and, the Consular Section, to brief on student visas. Liaoning University Professor and Director of International Exchange, Ms. Cao Lihua, will discuss higher education trends and what students from this region are seeking in a U.S. university. Participant Fee: $35.00.

Registration link: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=9Q1M  Upon receipt of registration, participants will be sent the log-in and dial-in information needed to access the webinar. For those unable to participate live, you can purchase a recorded version with PowerPoint for $35 now, and receive them within a week after the event. Please take the same registration and payment steps as if you were joining the live webinar with note of "recording only" in the company description on the registration page. Our system will still automatically send you the log-in and dial-in information, but we will know you won't join the live webinar. For questions, contact Debra.Rogers@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov  or Gabriela.Zelaya@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov .

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Visit our partners' event calendars for additional international trade and policy-related events:

Alliance for Illinois Manufacturing - NORBIC Calendar

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs - Council Programs

Illinois Global Partnership - http://illinoisglobal.org/

The International Trade Association of Greater Chicago - ITA/GC Calendar

International Trade Club of Chicago - http://www.itcc.org

World Trade Center Illinois - WTCIL Calendar

For a complete listing of upcoming Domestic and International Trade Events supported by the U.S. Commercial Service, visit the Trade Events Calendar.