China’s support of domestic companies can make for an uneven playing field for U.S. exporters. With ever-changing customs policies, business licensing rules, and, in the high-tech sector, unfamiliar standards and requirements, entering foreign territory can be an intimidating process. Obstacles aside, Chinese consumers are quickly developing a taste for all things American, especially professional and business services. U.S. exports to China set a record $65 billion in 2007. This workshop will provide step- by-step instruction how to navigate into a complex market that carries tremendous potential for U.S. companies.

Coming to America: Bringing your Business and Family to the U.S. (Chinese only)
From 2005-2007, over 76,000 Chinese nationals became legal permanent residents of the United States. China was the second leading country behind Mexico for immigrants achieving permanent legal status in 2006. This workshop is designed to provide practical information for business leaders interested in learning more about immigrating to the U.S. Hear from experts regarding bringing your business to the U.S. and how immigration laws affect you.

Keynote: “Building Bridges to Mutual Success”
In a slowing economy, U.S. companies are looking to foreign exchange to identify trade practices that will increase their bottom line in 2009 and beyond. China is quickly becoming the pinnacle of foreign investment opportunities, creating mutually beneficial business partnerships destined to influence the marketplace for global business. Join us as we analyze and discuss the economic trends of China and the U.S. over the past year, as well as the implications of trade between the two countries.

Expressway to Partnerships: SMEs and WBEs in the U.S. and China
Partnerships can provide tremendous growth opportunities for businesses. Sharing financial risk, easing organizational competencies in a foreign environment, investment of key resources, and organizing healthy growth strategies are only a few aspects of building mutual partnerships. How can you connect to other SMEs and WBEs in China or the U.S.? Learn how your business can enter the global economy, partner up and stay competitive.

Fast-track to Quality
Whether importing or exporting, businesses on both sides of the Pacific are concerned for quality and safety of products. Large gaps in standards between the U.S. and China and design flaws by U.S. manufacturers have created a necessity for dialogue between the two countries. In 2007, China launched a global campaign to solve product quality issues, stressing that both sides share responsibility. Learn how to protect your business against quality issues and ensure your product is safe to sell.

Luncheon Panel: How did I do it?
Globalizing is not for the faint of the heart. Venturing into foreign trade can be a daunting challenge, especially with vastly different business and cultural practices. Hear success stories from women who’ve come before you and found great success expanding their businesses between the U.S. – China.

Secrets of Success: Strategies for Good Fortune Doing Business in China
China remains a profoundly challenging place for foreign WBEs. Beyond regulatory trade practices lies unfamiliar territory, employer/employee relations, language barriers and cultural nuances can put American entrepreneurs at risk. Each speaker will talk about their five most important tips for achieving success in doing business in China. The panelists are premier leaders in the women’s business community who own multimillion dollar companies.

Technologies to Grow Your Business
Technology is one of the biggest keys to ensuring any business can operate with more efficiency using less resources in less time. By smartly using technology and leveraging it to grow your business, you will find that your customers are happier, business partners are strong and your overall work is improved. In this workshop, we’ll look at technologies that can help small businesses achieve their goals, whether it’s increasing productivity, improving customer satisfaction or reducing costs.

Opportunities in China for U.S. Service Businesses
The United States is the world’s premier producer and exporter of services. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. services exports have more than doubled over the past ten years, reaching $246 billion last year. The international market for services is growing at an exponential rate, offering unprecedented opportunities for U.S. businesses. Large services firms have met great success abroad, but for small- to medium-sized firms, expansion can be daunting. Join our expert panel as we address the five steps to getting your services firm on a solid course for expansion into China.

Multinational’s Women Supplier Programs: Expansion to China
Women own over ten million businesses in the U.S. Women supplier programs offer a unique female perspective and approach, bringing a greater diversity of options to assist in achieving improved business results. There are numerous reasons why a corporation benefits from doing business with a woman supplier. First, any corporation that wants to stay competitive must constantly seek new markets, new technologies, new products and new alliances. These alliances facilitate women suppliers to enter the global economic environment and assist them in being able to successfully compete in performance and price. With ever-increasing market shares in China, many multinational companies recognize the critical need to establish similar programs in China. This workshop will invite multinationals to introduce their programs in China.