Re-energize your Trade Show Experience & Strategy

10/07/2024 (11:00 AM)
10/22/2024 (12:00 PM)
(GMT-04:00) Eastern Time (US and Canada)

About

October 7,8,15, and 22 at 11am ET (October “Manufacturing Month”)  

 Re-energize your Trade Show Experience & Strategy 

Join the U.S. Commercial Service to learn how to unlock the full potential of trade shows with our comprehensive 4-part webinar series designed for professionals eager to maximize their event impact.


Monday, October 7, 2024 at 11am-12pm ET 
(**This reflects the rescheduled date for this session)
Registration Fee: $30
Part I: Trade Show Preparation Considerations (60-minutes)

The Value of Trade Shows: Understanding the benefits and opportunities they offer.

  • Participation Options: Explore various roles at trade shows—exhibit, sponsor, attend, speak, or host.
  • Selecting the Right Trade Show: Key factors to consider when choosing the best event for your company
  • Crafting a Trade Show Marketing Strategy: Develop a comprehensive plan, including setting goals and creating a promotional strategy.
  • Booth Design and Branding: Plan your booth layout, branding elements (like SWAG), activities, and logistics.
  • Pre-Show Research: Investigate potential targets and gather insights before the event.
  • Collaborating with Trade Show Organizers: Partner with organizers to enhance your exhibitor experience.
  • Funding and Shared Booths: Explore opportunities for trade show grants and shared booth arrangements.

Panelist: Michelle Bonina, Sales Director, Reed Exhibitions, Joe Raycraft, SBA, Regional Finance Manager, Grace Preston, International Sales Manager, Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc.

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Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 11am-11:45am ET
Registration Fee: $15
Part II: Other Trade Show Considerations  (45-minutes)

Export Compliance at Trade Shows

Ensure that all products and materials you display comply with export regulations. This includes understanding restrictions on certain items, adhering to licensing requirements, and keeping track of any necessary documentation. Proper compliance helps avoid legal issues and smooths your participation in international trade shows.

Intellectual Property Protection at Trade Shows

Safeguard your intellectual property by taking proactive measures at trade shows. This involves registering patents, trademarks, or copyrights before the event and monitoring for any potential infringement. Utilize non-disclosure agreements with partners and ensure that your displays and materials are protected.

ATA Carnets

An ATA Carnet is a customs document that allows for the temporary importation of goods without paying duties or taxes. Ensure you acquire an ATA Carnet if you’re bringing equipment or samples to an international trade show. This document simplifies customs procedures and helps avoid unnecessary costs and delays.


Panelist: Kevin Daly, Counsel, Robinson & Cole, John Mutchler, Partner, Robinson & ColeKiel Ursin, Carnet Specialist, Boomerang Carnets
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Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 11am-12:00pm ET 
Registration Fee: $30
Part III: During the Show (60-minutes)

  • Staffing Considerations: Best practices for staffing your booth and ensuring effective coverage.
  • Making a Strong First Impression: Techniques for engaging attendees and creating a memorable impact.
  • Lead Capture Strategies: Effective methods for collecting and managing leads.
  • Networking Tips: Approaches for building connections and maximizing opportunities at the event.
  • Exploring Speaking and Sponsorship Opportunities: How to take advantage of speaking slots and sponsorships for added visibility.

Panelist: Christine Kratz, International Sales Executive, Reed Exhibitions

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Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 11am-11:45am ET
Registration Fee: $15
Part IV: Post Show Follow-up (45-minutes)

  • Evaluating Your Results: Assessing the outcomes and effectiveness of your trade show participation.
  • Lead Follow-Up and Engagement: Strategies for reaching out to leads and maintaining connections.
  • Measuring ROI: Quantifying results and analyzing the return on investment.

Panelist:  Amy Bosco, Beekly Medical (Connecticut DEC Chair)
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For full description of each session, see "Agenda" below and select "Learn More"

Cost:

We invite you to customize the 4-part webinar series according to your training needs. You can join individual webinars or the entire series. See ticket options listed for pricing of individual webinars.


$90 for the entire webinar series (all 4 webinars)

***Webinar platform will be Microsoft Teams, please expect an invite with webinar details within 48 hours of payment. 


If this is your first time registering for an event with the U.S. Commercial Service, using our new event platform, InEvent, please follow the steps in the Registration Help Guide to create a new account, and then register.

Questions?

Please contact Anthony Sargis, Anthony.Sargis@trade.gov 

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

07
Part I: Trade Show Preparation Considerations
Part I: Trade Show Preparation Considerations

Part I: Trade Show Preparation Considerations (60-minutes)

  • The Value of Trade Shows: Understanding the benefits and opportunities they offer.
  • Participation Options: Explore various roles at trade shows—exhibit, sponsor, attend, speak, or host.
  • Selecting the Right Trade Show: Key factors to consider when choosing the best event for your company
  • Crafting a Trade Show Marketing Strategy: Develop a comprehensive plan, including setting goals and creating a promotional strategy.
  • Booth Design and Branding: Plan your booth layout, branding elements (like SWAG), activities, and logistics.
  • Pre-Show Research: Investigate potential targets and gather insights before the event.
  • Collaborating with Trade Show Organizers: Partner with organizers to enhance your exhibitor experience.
  • Funding and Shared Booths: Explore opportunities for trade show grants and shared booth arrangements.

Panelist: Michelle Bonina, Sales Director, Reed Exhibitions, Joe Raycraft, SBA, Regional Finance Manager 

Grace Preston
Joe Raycraft
Michelle Bonina
Start
11:00 AM
End
12:00 PM
Speakers
Grace Preston
Grace Preston
Joe Raycraft
Joe Raycraft
Michelle Bonina
Michelle Bonina
08
Part II: Other Trade Show Considerations
Part II: Other Trade Show Considerations

Part II: Other Trade Show Considerations  (45-minutes)

Export Compliance at Trade Shows

Ensure that all products and materials you display comply with export regulations. This includes understanding restrictions on certain items, adhering to licensing requirements, and keeping track of any necessary documentation. Proper compliance helps avoid legal issues and smooths your participation in international trade shows.

Intellectual Property Protection at Trade Shows

Safeguard your intellectual property by taking proactive measures at trade shows. This involves registering patents, trademarks, or copyrights before the event and monitoring for any potential infringement. Utilize non-disclosure agreements with partners and ensure that your displays and materials are protected.

ATA Carnets

An ATA Carnet is a customs document that allows for the temporary importation of goods without paying duties or taxes. Ensure you acquire an ATA Carnet if you’re bringing equipment or samples to an international trade show. This document simplifies customs procedures and helps avoid unnecessary costs and delays.


Panelist: Kevin Daly, Counsel, Robinson & Cole, John Mutchler, Partner, Robinson & ColeKiel Ursin, Carnet Specialist, Boomerang Carnets

John H. Mutchler
Kevin Daly
Kiel Ursin
Start
11:00 AM
End
11:45 AM
Speakers
John H. Mutchler
John H. Mutchler
Kevin Daly
Kevin Daly
Kiel Ursin
Kiel Ursin
15
Part III: During the Show
Part III: During the Show

Part III: During the Show (60-minutes)

  • Staffing Considerations: Best practices for staffing your booth and ensuring effective coverage.
  • Making a Strong First Impression: Techniques for engaging attendees and creating a memorable impact.
  • Lead Capture Strategies: Effective methods for collecting and managing leads.
  • Networking Tips: Approaches for building connections and maximizing opportunities at the event.
  • Exploring Speaking and Sponsorship Opportunities: How to take advantage of speaking slots and sponsorships for added visibility.

Panelist: Christine Kratz, Internaitonal Sales Executive, Reed Exhibitions


Christine Kratz
Start
11:00 AM
End
12:00 PM
Speakers
Christine Kratz
Christine Kratz
22
Part IV: Post Show Follow-up
Part IV: Post Show Follow-up

Part IV: Post Show Follow-up (45-minutes)

  • Evaluating Your Results: Assessing the outcomes and effectiveness of your trade show participation.
  • Lead Follow-Up and Engagement: Strategies for reaching out to leads and maintaining connections.
  • Measuring ROI: Quantifying results and analyzing the return on investment.

Panelist:  Amy Bosco, Beekly Medical (Connecticut DEC Chair)

Amy Bosco
Zach Selch
Start
11:00 AM
End
11:45 AM
Speakers
Amy Bosco
Amy Bosco
Zach Selch
Zach Selch

Speakers

Amy Bosco Speaker image

Amy Bosco

Director of Global Business Development, Beekley Medical

Amy Bosco is the Director of Global Business Development at Bristol, CT-based Beekley Medical, a manufacturing company that produces high quality class 1 medical products to improve patient care and safety for Women’s Health, MRI, CT, Radiation Oncology, and Aromatherapy. She is in charge of growing exports and currently works with seventy partners across the globe. Despite the global pandemic, she was able to grow exports from 2018 through 2021 at a record-breaking performance level.

Ms. Bosco earned several awards, including the President’s E Award in 2018 after demonstrating significant growth in exports, the Small Business Administration Exporter of the Year Award in 2019 for the State of Connecticut, and was appointed to the District Export Council in January 2020 from the Secretary of Commerce for a 4-year term. In addition, she was awarded the President’s E Star Award in July, 2022.

Ms. Bosco earned her Bachelor of Business degree at Albertus Magnus and was inducted into Tau Pi Phi. She earned her Masters in Business Management with a concentration in Healthcare Sales Management and was inducted into Sigma Beta Delta.

Christine Kratz Speaker image

Christine Kratz

International Sales Executive, Reed Exhibitions

As an International Sales Executive with RX Global, Christine has been supporting US and Canadian companies to expand their global business through international trade show participation for nearly 4 years. Her focus on a consultative approach to sales has allowed her to understand her client’s goals on a deeper level, educate them on unique marketing opportunities in their industry, and provide them with the tools they need to be successful on a global scale. Prior to joining RX Global, Christine spent over 10 years in the event industry with roles as a special event planner, event production & catering manager, and venue sales manager. This experience has given her the unique ability to see both the big picture and smallest of details when it comes to organizing and executing events, and provides essential insight into the attendee experience, whether the event is an intimate wedding or international trade show. When she’s not traveling the world attending events, you can find Christine running the trails or enjoying time on the beach in Southern California, where she lives with her fiancé and orange cat, Gus.

Grace Preston Speaker image

Grace Preston

International Sales Manager, Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc.

Grace is an international sales and business development professional whose career has spanned the globe working with a variety of technology and manufacturing companies.  An expert in assessing market potential, best sales strategies and understanding the nuances of various cultures.  Grace has twice provided testimony to the United States Senate on the importance of export sales for US small businesses.  In 2019, she was awarded New England Exporter of the Year by the SBA for her contributions while working with a New England manufacturer and most recently named the 2023 Global Businesswoman of the Year by the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire.  Currently the International Sales Manager at Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc (GSSI) in Nashua NH, Grace has traveled to more than 75 countries and all 7 continents on both a professional and personal basis.  Grace holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Connecticut.  She resides in Bedford NH with her 2 cats, Mara & Shackleton and continues to travel the globe in her spare time as an amateur wildlife photographer.

Joe Raycraft Speaker image

Joe Raycraft

Export Finance Manager, SBA

John H. Mutchler Speaker image

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.

Kevin Daly Speaker image

Kevin Daly

Counsel, Robinson & Cole LLP

Kevin P. Daly focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation and trade compliance issues. He is a member of Robinson+Cole's Business Litigation Group and Manufacturing Industry Team.

undefinedLitigation
Kevin represents a variety of clients, including manufacturers, insurance companies, and other businesses, in complex litigation. He has represented clients in class actions (including insurance class actions, consumer class actions, and class actions related to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act), and product liability actions. He represents businesses in a range of commercial disputes, such as claims for breach of contract and unfair trade practices. Kevin has achieved successes for his clients, including successfully defending a manufacturer in an attachment action which sought to seize property of a third party which had been in the client’s possession.

Trade Compliance / Regulation
Kevin represents clients in connection with a diverse array of trade compliance matters.  He advises clients on a variety of trade regulations, including Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and U.S. import regulations.  He also assists clients in developing facility and technology control plans to ensure that access to controlled technical data is managed consistent with applicable trade regulations. Additionally, he advises clients regarding Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) compliance and risk assessment and the development of anti-corruption policies and training. Kevin also has experience defending False Claims Act litigation on behalf of companies with financial relationships with the U.S. government. He has experience conducting internal compliance reviews to identify and remedy potential trade compliance violations and strengthen compliance policies and procedures.

Pro Bono
Throughout his career, Kevin has maintained a robust pro bono practice focusing on criminal defense, criminal post-conviction, and civil and human rights matters. He also helped coordinate a pro bono legal clinic on behalf of homeless clients in Massachusetts.
Prior to joining Robinson+Cole, Kevin worked for a large global law firm. He represented clients in the pharmaceutical sector in matters alleging violations of the False Claims Act, unfair trade practices, consumer protection statutes, and common law. In addition, he represented financial services clients in the arbitration and litigation of complex commercial disputes.


While in law school, Kevin was a clinical student for the Southern Center for Human Rights and an intern for the ACLU of North Carolina. After graduating from law school, he served as a law clerk for Justice Judith A. Cowin of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

Kiel Ursin Speaker image

Kiel Ursin

Carnet Specialist, ATA Carnet

Kiel Ursin is a Carnet Specialist, Customer Service and Sales Representative. Kiel was born in Lake Zurich, IL, and has been with the company for over three years. His favorite part of the job is, “The variety of clientele we work with, and the fast pace. Also, the satisfaction of knowing you helped someone who was panicked about time frame, etc., as a large majority of first-time carnet users are!”

In his time away from work, you may find Kiel painting, drawing, or creating mixed-media art.  He also enjoys fumbling around with a guitar or banjo. He chose “Thank You” by Led Zeppelin as his first dance wedding song. Walking, and otherwise spoiling his dog, take up the remainder of his spare time. Green is his color choice and lamb chops, or rack of lamb are among his favorite foods. The title at the top of his book recommendations is A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers.

Michelle Bonina Speaker image

Michelle Bonina

Sales Director, International Sales Group, Reed Exhibitions

Zach Selch Speaker image

Zach Selch

International Sales Coach, Global Sales Mentor