Export experts share tips at event

Grow Global program helps companies expand

Spending a day with local exporting experts might help give globallymindedbusinesses the boost they’ve been seeking.

American Express Grow Global, a program presented regionally to help U.S. small and mid-sized companies scale up their businesses through exporting, is scheduled forWednesday at the JWMarriott in downtown Miami.

The event draws business people from throughout South Florida, including the 2017 SBA Small Business Exporter of the Year, David Rosen, CEO, of Kira Labs, the Pompano Beach-based cosmetics manufacturer and exporter, as well as Michael Lassner, president, Allied Steel Buildings in Fort Lauderdale. They are scheduled to be panel presenters who will share their tips about how they are growing their international markets.

Rosen willmake twopresentations, with the underlying message being “have confidence,” he said. The idea of exporting can be very intimidating, fromhow to conduct business to getting paid. It’s very important to be strategic inwhoyouwork with and to stay laser focused.”

Additionally, Rosen will emphasize how a digitalmarketplace essentially allowsyou to “hang your shingle everywhere.”

Lassner will tell participants that don’t have to go it alone.

“I come from an entrepreneurial background and always went the lone road,” Lassner said. He will review some of the programs that helped him grow his company, such as trade missions and Gold Key programs that introduce owners to foreign markets or help existing businesses scale up.

“Sharing this information and mentoring others is important to me, because I don’twant to see others make the mistakes I did by not reaching out earlier,” Lassner said. “As a business, we have grown so much in so many ways, because of our engagement with other countries.”

Other local panelists include: Manuel Gonzalez, chief of Miami-Dade County Economic Development & International Trade Office; Holly Vineyard, deputy assistant secretary for Global Markets, U.S. Department of Commerce; Nataly Kelly, vice president, international operations and strategy, Hubspot, and Sharyn Koenig, managing director, eastern region, U.S. Export-Import Bank.

Amorning keynote from Andrew Davis, author, speaker and founder ofMonumental Shift, will launch the free daylong conference. they