Export University Returns to Maui July 25

Export University 2011 Cost-Share recipients at APEC Export U Recognition Event. Pictured from left to right: Under Secretary for the International Trade Administration, Francisco Sanchez; Derek Lanter of Wailua Estates; Jim Jacobsen of Functional Nutriments; Duane Okamoto of Hawaii Flora; Randy Kuba of Aloha Excellence; and Lieutenant Governor, Brian Shatz. Photo courtesy of EU.

By Sonia Isotov

Various federal, state and local economic development agencies have banded together to bring the Export University back to Maui July 25 to July 27 at the UH Maui College campus.

Since participating in last year’s program, 68 entrepreneurs have generated a total of almost $700,000.

Through funding from the US Small Business Administration and the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, an Export University 101 class will be offered along with Export University 201, a one-day course on how to best utilize international social media and e-commerce.

Lesley Harvey, the project director for Export University, is encouraging all businesses to attend Export University, from those that already have successfully exported to those that have no international business experience.

“We created the program materials based on industry standards but really focused in on the Hawaii markets. Hawaii is very unique, geographically and the issues that it faces, the close neighbors it has to Asia, and we wanted to highlight some of those factors. The material is fresh, relevant, and most importantly it is customized for each attendee,” said Harvey.

“Export University is a phenomenal program with a track record of success. Companies that have taken advantage of the training have had the opportunity to increase sales by utilizing the resources and knowledge that goes hand-in-hand with the training.”

Leslie Harvey, the project director for Export University is also the project director  at the Hawaii Pacific Export Council and the Hawaii Export Assistance Center, two agencies that work closely with the US Department of Commerce.

Jim Jacobsen was an Export U 2011 Maui graduate and his exceptional International Business Plan earned him $2,500 to travel to his target market to facilitate export sales. This year Export University is offering many more companies the opportunity to travel with a $2,000 cost-share program funded by a grant from the Small Business Administration in partnership with The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and The Hawaii Department of Agriculture.

The cost for Export University 101 is $100 for the 2-day course (Aug 25 and Aug 26, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Export 201 is $25 for the 1-day course (August 27, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.). For companies that attend both 101 and 201, participants can attend for $110, a $15 savings.  Space is limited.

For more information on the Export University training sessions, go to: http://tinyurl.com/2012MauiFlyer. For questions, please contact Lesley Harvey at (808) 457-7100 or email her at [email protected].