Discover Global Markets: The Americas (Austin, TX)

10/08/2024
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
(GMT-05:00) Central Time (US and Canada)
9001 N IH 35, Ste 110E

About

Discover Global Markets business development forum is the U.S. Department of Commerce's annual flagship event series for U.S. exporters! 

  • Join us for the day in Austin, where you will have the opportunity to:
  • Gain market insights from U.S. commercial diplomats and industry experts based at U.S. Embassies in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico.
  • Paticipate in one-on-one meetings with U.S. government trade experts and other exporters.
  • Hear from private sector thought leaders about emerging sectors, and regional strategies. 
  • Learn about updates to polices and regulations in the region relevant to your market growth.
  • Network, network, network!

Compelling reasons to do business in the region:


  • Close Proximity - The Western Hemisphere region is a natural commercial partner of the United States, tied closely together by geography, history, and culture.
  • Largest Regional Market for U.S. Exports – The United States trades more with the Americas than any other region of the world. In 2023, over $867 billion of U.S. merchandise exports went to the Western Hemisphere and trade with the region supports more than 3.2 million U.S. jobs (2021). Forty three percent of all U.S. merchandise exports flow to the Western Hemisphere.
  • Free Trade Agreements - Twelve of our twenty free trade agreement partners are in the Western Hemisphere. In addition to tariff reduction, free trade agreements also liberalize the services sectors and strengthen protections for U.S. investments, patents, trademarks, and trade secrets.
  • Affinity for U.S. Goods and Services – Countries in the region generally demonstrate a preference for U.S. goods and services so long as they are cost-competitive.
  • Nearshoring Trends Open New Opportunities – Recent nearshoring trends to the region are driving new opportunities for U.S. firms to sell into regional supply chains in key best prosect sectors including: aerospace & defense, energy, mining equipment, environmental/clean technologies, design & construction, information & communication technologies, healthcare and safety & security.

Registration Fee: $75

* This event is intended for exporters of U.S. goods and services. Priority for one-on-one meetings will be given to U.S. companies who are export-ready and follow the 51% U.S. content policy.   

Learn About Our Events

We invite you to explore the wide variety of events that we offer to help U.S. companies expand their global sales.


Agenda

08
Registration and Networking
Registration and Networking
Start
9:00 AM
End
9:30 AM
Welcome Remarks
Welcome Remarks
Start
9:30 AM
End
10:00 AM
Market Insights and Business Opportunities: Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Southern Cone (Argentina, Chile, Uruguay)
Market Insights and Business Opportunities: Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Southern Cone (Argentina, Chile, Uruguay)
Start
10:00 AM
End
11:30 AM
Up Your Game: Company Executives Share How They Increased Their Global Sales - Hear from Successful Exporters to the Region
Up Your Game: Company Executives Share How They Increased Their Global Sales - Hear from Successful Exporters to the Region
Start
11:30 AM
End
12:00 PM
Networking Lunch
Networking Lunch
Start
12:00 PM
End
1:00 PM
Concurrent One-on-One Meetings with U.S. Commercial Officers/Specialists
Concurrent One-on-One Meetings with U.S. Commercial Officers/Specialists
Start
1:00 PM
End
4:00 PM
Roundtable Discussion: Protecting Disruptive and Critical Emerging Technology in the Americas
Roundtable Discussion: Protecting Disruptive and Critical Emerging Technology in the Americas
Start
1:00 PM
End
2:00 PM
Roundtable Discussion: Finance your Exports to the Americas
Roundtable Discussion: Finance your Exports to the Americas
Start
2:00 PM
End
3:00 PM
Roundtable Discussion: Texas Camino Real District Export Council - Next Level Exporters Opportunities
Roundtable Discussion: Texas Camino Real District Export Council - Next Level Exporters Opportunities
Start
3:00 PM
End
4:00 PM

Speakers

Jason Brown Speaker image

Jason Brown

Executive Chair @ Texas Camino Real District Export Council

Adriana Carrillo Speaker image

Adriana Carrillo

Commercial Specialist @ U.S. Commercial Service Mexico

Adriana Carrillo joined the U.S. Commercial Service in Mexico City as Commercial Specialist in June 2020. She is responsible for the telecommunications, internet technologies, digital economy and creative industries portfolios. She previously worked for the U.S. Department of State as Cultural Affairs Assistant at the Public Affairs Section in the U.S. Embassy in Mexico (November 2017 - June 2019). Prior to joining the U.S. Embassy, she worked at the Consulate General of Canada in Monterrey as International Business Development Assistant, where she was in charge of leading the education and cultural efforts of the Consulate. She was also in charge of supporting other priority sectors including healthcare and creative industries.

In the private sector, Adriana worked as: Business Analyst at a business accelerator and incubator; Project Manager for the Mexican branch of a Texas-based digital strategy firm; leading online marketing and fundraising campaigns for American non-profit organizations; and Director of Public Relations at an english learning franchise. She holds a Master´s degree in Management and Marketing from Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP) including a research experience at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, a Bachelor´s degree in International Business Administration from Universidad Veracruzana, and several Diplomas including Advocacy and Lobbying from the University of Richmond, and Governance and Public Administration from UDLAP- Jenkins Graduate School

Annie M. Hudspeth Speaker image

Annie M. Hudspeth

@ U.S. Small Business Administration

Rafael Jimenez Speaker image

Rafael Jimenez

Commercial Specialist @ U.S. Commercial Service Colombia

Rafael serves as a commercial specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Bogata, Colombia and covers the Healthcare, Telecommunications, and Information Technologies sectors. In this role, he is responsible for identifying business opportunities, reducing trade barriers, and fostering trade between the United States and Colombia by working closely with U.S. companies and Colombia’s stakeholders.

Rafael over ten years of experience in business development, government affairs, international trade, and sales. Before joining the Commercial Service, Rafael served as an investment consultant at Porvenir S.A. (Grupo Aval Pension Fund), procurement manager at Locatel S.A. (Healthcare sector), and trend market chief at Coca-Cola FEMSA.

Rafael holds a degree in Industrial Engineering, a specialization in Business Management, and a master’s degree in finance from Tecnológico de Monterrey.

 

Lafe T Larson Speaker image

Lafe T Larson

CEO & Founder @ Lafe’s

Eric Miller Speaker image

Eric Miller

Regional Director @ Export-Import Bank of the United States

Eric Miller is the Houston Regional Director for EXIM Bank. He is a Texas native and experienced international trader. Prior to joining the Bank, Eric spent over a decade in the private sector exporting capital equipment to buyers in 33 countries covering the continents of Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe. As a prior customer of EXIM, he experienced firsthand how the Government Agency can be leveraged as a strategic tool to increase sales. He is passionate about international business and excited to be an advocate for EXIM. Ericr attended the University of Houston’s Bauer School of Business where he earned a B.B.A. in Operations Management and continued MBA studies with a major in Finance. Eric is Certified in Global Business by the Harvard Business School and as a Global Business Professional by NASBITE International.

Liliana Paz Speaker image

Liliana Paz

Senior Commerical Specialist @ U.S. Commercial Service - Argentina

Liliana Paz is the Senior Commercial Specialist at U.S. Commercial Service Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Liliana started working at the U.S. Embassy in Argentina in 1992, at the Economic and Political Sections. In 1997, she joined the U.S. Commercial Service.

Liliana covers the healthcare and life sciences portfolio, as well as the food processing and packaging industries under the agribusiness portfolio, among other advanced manufacturing industries. She has experience in the services sectors and has been the office lead for intellectual property right issues for several years.

Previously, she worked in the private sector, in her family business in the hospitality and catering industry.

Liliana has a Bachelor's Degree from Universidad del Salvador, Argentina and Master's Degree in International Business from L’Ecole de Ponts et Chausees, France, and Universidad de Belgrano, Argentina.  

Arafat Siyez Speaker image

Arafat Siyez

Chief Business Development Officer @ Better Emissions

Nathan Traurig Speaker image

Nathan Traurig

Commerical Officer @ U.S. Commercial Service Brazil

Nathan Traurig is a Commercial Officer with nearly ten years of experience in foreign service, trade policy, and international development. Currently assigned to São Paulo, Brazil, Nathan is responsible for the aviation, travel and tourism, franchise, and services sectors. His previous experience includes Mexico as well as the Republic of Georgia.

The Foreign Commercial Service is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration. Its 225 Foreign Service officers lead a worldwide network of 675 trade and investment professionals located in 90% of U.S. export markets. Nathan is focused on supporting and creating American jobs by leveling the international playing field for U.S. businesses and workers.

 

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