Director George Tastard of the Sacramento U.S. Export Assistance Center gives a presentation on the U.S. Commercial Service at the El Dorado County Economic Development Advisory Commission.
The El Dorado County Economic Development Advisory Commission took place on Friday, November 21st, 2008 at 1PM. The meeting was held at the Board of Supervisors conference room in Placerville, CA. There were 15 local business and community leaders in attendance to hear the presentations and participate in the discussion. The objective of the forum was to learn about federal government export assistance programs. The event was hosted by Mr. Sam Driggers, director for the Office of Economic Development, El Dorado County.
The
featured speakers took the floor at approximately 1:30PM. The
first to speak was Mr. Bill and Mrs. Dee Gunn, owners of El
Dorado Wine Storage and Ms. Christy Johnson of Lyon Real Estate.
They gave a presentation regarding regulatory reform, including
an agriculture support facility in the General Plan and Zoning
Ordinance. The next speaker was Mr. Jerry R. Avila, Regional
Manager-Northern California Export Solutions at the Office of
International Trade in the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Mr. Avila gave a presentation regarding the international
financial support the SBA can offer small to medium size firms
through loan guarantees and similar programs. Last to speak was
Mr. George Tastard, director of the U.S. Export Assistance Center
in Sacramento, CA. Tastard prognosticates 2009 global sales
opportunities for local businesses in the face of a declining
demostic GDP. Tastard followed with export programs
available thru the U.S. Commercial Service to local businesses.
Some of the programs highlighted by Mr. Tastard were the
Gold Key Service, Trade Missions, CeBIT trade show, and Catalogue
Exhibition Shows. He also highlighted Free Trade Agreements and
what they mean to local business owners. In closing, Mr. Tastard
spoke briefly on wine export potential. The floor was then
opened up to questions and answers directed at the presenters for
the next 10 minutes. 
The Sacramento USEAC is happy to report due to this workshop we are now working with one new client and the rural partnership with El Dorado County Economic Development department was also rekindled.