Mastering International Distributor Success Seminar
About
Mastering International Distributor Success Seminar
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Time: 8:00am – 1:00pm ET
Cost: $40
Location: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Expand Your Global Reach. Empower Your Distributors. Grow with Confidence.
Join the U.S. Commercial Service and Connecticut District Export Council for a powerful half-day seminar designed to help U.S. manufacturers and exporters find, manage, and grow successful distributor partnerships around the globe. Whether you’re new to international markets or looking to improve existing relationships, this event delivers actionable strategies from global experts.
What You'll Learn:
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How to identify ideal distributors and evaluate them with smart due diligence
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How to onboard and train partners for peak performance
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Proven strategies for driving long-term sales success
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Real-world solutions to distributor challenges
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Cultural insights that can make—or break—international deals
Agenda Highlights:
Cultural Considerations When Doing Business Overseas
Featuring Francesco Pagano, Interpreter and Translators, Inc.
Finding the Right Distributor in the Right Market
With Zach Selch (Global Sales Mentor), Louise Kern (GloBIS), and the U.S. Commercial Service
Setting Your Distributor Up for Success
Onboarding and support insights from Zach Selch & Jacqueline Torcellini
Driving Long-Term Success with Your Distributors
Performance, accountability, and engagement strategies from Zach Selch
Lunch and Learn: Navigating Legal Essentials in Distributor Agreements & IP Protection
Attorneys John H. Mutchler Partner and Jeff White Partner Robinson + Cole, LLP
Space is limited!
Register now to gain tools, insights, and connections to elevate your export strategy.
LEARN ABOUT OUR EVENTS
Speakers
Francesco Pagano
Interpreters and Translators, Inc., President
Louise Kern
GloBIS – Global Business Information Services, Inc., President
Ms. Louise M. Kern, a Chicago native, began her career in the business information industry in 1996. She has lived in mainland China, Austria, Germany, and France, speaks fluent Mandarin and German, and is conversant in French. Louise holds a BA and MA in East Asian and Socialist/Post-Socialist Studies from the University of Chicago, and a Graduate Diploma in Chinese International Relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Nanjing University.
In 2003, Louise founded Global Business Information Services, Inc. (GloBIS), initially focused on China due diligence, which quickly expanded to a global scope. Today, GloBIS provides comprehensive credit reports and due diligence on companies of all sizes and industries worldwide.
GloBIS is a Strategic Partner of the International Trade Administration and has been a supplier of International Company Profile (ICP) reports to the US Commercial Service since 2004, covering nearly a dozen countries from Angola to Vietnam. GloBIS is also an SBA-certified small business, and the provider of Foreign Credit reports for the US Export-Import Bank (EXIM)’s Export Credit Insurance (ECI) office via a GSA contract.
John H. Mutchler
Partner, Robinson & Cole LLP
John H. Mutchler advises clients on their intellectual property rights with specific experience in patent, trademark and copyright prosecution, patent appeals before the USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and Intellectual Property litigation and licensing. His practice includes patent prosecution and reexamination proceedings, licensing, U.S. government and private company contracting, copyright and trademark consulting and litigation, portfolio management, and IP due diligence in bankruptcy proceedings, asset purchase and sales agreements, business formation, and mergers and acquisitions.
John has extensive industry and legal experience in fields including nuclear and fossil power generation, fuel cells, pulverizing equipment, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDS), rotating equipment including pumps and compressors, valve design, bearings, energy conservation and energy efficiency, manufacturing including extrusion and plastic forming devices, non-destructive testing, metallurgy, medical devices, aerospace and rail system components and Internet of Things. John has expertise in branding and trademark protection for food and beverages, mechanical component parts and for apparel including tee shirts and athletic clothing in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, China and European countries, John has expertise in copyright protection for manuscripts, poems, books, drawings, sketches and sculptures.
In his former capacities as an executive and senior manager at Northeast Utilities, John was responsible for energy-related technology and research and development and for managing a multi-million dollar public wires energy efficiency fund. He has more than 30 years of experience in energy generation, including nuclear power, fuel cells and fossil power; environmental issues and energy conservation; electro-mechanical devices; manufacturing, welding and metal fabrication; research and development; and due diligence and portfolio management.John is a Professional Engineer, registered to practice in Connecticut. He has been an adjunct professor of law at Western New England University School of Law, Rensselaer Polytechnic University and the University of Hartford, where he taught IP, IP Licensing and Entrepreneurship courses. He is a patent holder as co-inventor of two valve-related system products. John is also a respected and much sought-after presenter who has spoken about all aspects of global intellectual property law, including the protection and enforcement of global trademarks and inventions.
John is a member of the Robinson + Cole Diversity Equity, Inclusion + Belonging (DEIB) Committee and was the chair of the DEI committee at his previous firm.
Jeff White
Partner, Robinson & Cole LLP
Jeffrey J. White provides counseling and dispute resolution advice for manufacturers and distributors throughout the United States and globally. He leads our firm's Manufacturing Industry team, which has been described by media outlets as ”one of the top manufacturing law practices” in the United States, as well as the Aerospace Supply Chain team.
Jeff is a leader within the manufacturing community and has been invited to speak at The White House, U.S. Department of Commerce events, and manufacturing industry events across North America. He has been appointed to committees supporting U.S. commerce by both Republican and Democratic Presidential administrations. In 2022, Jeff was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative to serve on the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Aerospace Equipment. He has offered legal commentary for publications such as Politco, IndustryWeek, and Aviation Week, among others.
Jacqueline Torcellini
International Trade Specialist
Jacqueline Torcellini is an International Trade Specialist with the U.S. Commercial Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Her focus is to assist U.S. companies with strengthening business stability by growing and diversifying their client portfolio through expansion to appropriate international markets. She is excited to be able to support U.S. companies by helping them understand and navigate the resources available to them so they can make exporting a part of their business growth strategy.
She has been providing export business support for over a decade and has assisted scores of businesses to either start exporting or expand their existing international business. Jacqueline became involved in this area of business while completing her master’s degree in Political Science, International Relations at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU). She is pleased to combine her years of business experience to support Connecticut companies with international expansion.
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