Speaker Jay KennedyPOSTPONED: NEW DATE TBD Dr. Jay P. Kennedy is an Assistant Professor jointly appointed to the School of Criminal Justice and the Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection. In this role he is actively involved in research, education, and outreach efforts that focus on external partners including corporations, industry associations, and law enforcement agencies. Together with his team of researchers, Dr. Kennedy has developed a toolkit designed for small business owners to proactively address intellectual property (IP) concerns with limited budgets. His other current research explores managerial and organizational responses to employee theft within small and medium enterprises, the incarceration and post-incarceration experiences of white-collar offenders, the sale of counterfeit goods on the Internet, and the structure of occupational pharmaceutical counterfeiting schemes. Dr. Kennedy’s work has been published in a number of outlets, including American Behavioral Scientist, Criminal Justice Review, Journal of Crime and Justice, Journal of Financial Crime, Security Journal, and Victims and Offenders.The Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan focuses on global issues of interest to the mid-Michigan business community. The monthly GB Club luncheons provide outstanding speakers and relaxed networking opportunities. With extensive international experience, the speakers wrap personal insights around a practical and up-to-the-minute approach to conducting international trade.

Speaker . Estimating manufacturing costs as well as final costs to your customers are particularly difficult these days. Join us to hear about the current tariff situation, what's expected in the near-term, and how to best plan. John Stewart is a supply chain consultant at Supply Chain Solutions, based in West Michigan. Since 2004, he has helped client teams to design and implement supply chain process improvements in manufacturing, food, retail, publishing, distribution, agriculture, and third-party logistics. Prior to consulting, John spent 18 years as a practitioner, where he honed his skills as a line manager and project manager in both international and domestic supply chain. He managed trade and logistics in manufacturing and retail, and began his career as an import entry-writer for a customshouse broker in Chicago. Who should attend: Those involved in purchasing and sales, beginning and advanced exporters and importers, and anyone interested in the implications of the current tariff situation on the U.S. and global economy. The Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan focuses on global issues of interest to the mid-Michigan business community. The monthly GB Club luncheons provide outstanding speakers and relaxed networking opportunities. With extensive international experience, the speakers wrap personal insights around a practical and up-to-the-minute approach to conducting international trade.

Speaker Phumzile Mazibuko Ms. Phumzile Mazibuko was appointed Consul General at the South African Consulate General in Chicago in January of this year. As consul General, she works to promote trade and investments and enhance cooperation in the field of arts, culture, education, and effectively render consular services to South Africans in 14 states in the Midwest region of the United States. Prior to this post, she was Chief of Staff for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa. Ms. Mazibuko has been working though her professional career to further business relationships between South Africa and its trading partners. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Johannesburg. Joining Consul Mazibuko is South African Consul Political Mr. Thabo Seotlo. Consul Seotlo is also a career diplomat, spending the past decade serving South African interests around the world. Those interested in setting up a private meeting with M. Mazibuko should contact Jade Sims at sims@broad.msu.edu for a time. The Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan focuses on global issues of interest to the mid-Michigan business community. The monthly GB Club luncheons provide outstanding speakers and relaxed networking opportunities. With extensive international experience, the speakers wrap personal insights around a practical and up-to-the-minute approach to conducting international trade.

Speaker The Gluten Free Bar Our morning seminar will focus on the topic of Global Branding; we will explore methods for presenting a consistent brand while tailoring the message to best reach global audiences with unique preferences in the ways they are reached. Our luncheon keynote will be presented by brand owners of The Gluten Free Bar, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's (MDARD) first-ever recipient of the 2017 Michigan export Rising Star Award. The Rising Star Award was created to recognize a company that is new to exporting or is just starting to increase their exports into one or more countries. The Gluten Free Bar sets a great example for other small- and medium-sized companies as to the opportunities exports provide in generating more sales and growth for a company, said Jamie Clover Adams, MDARD Director. Exports are critical to the Michigan food and agriculture economy, and companies like The Gluten Free Bar are a vital part of the growth. Join us to find out how they're growing the company through exporting, network with growers and food processors, and learn the ins-and-outs of achieving global success! The Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan focuses on global issues of interest to the mid-Michigan business community. The monthly GB Club luncheons provide outstanding speakers and relaxed networking opportunities. With extensive international experience, the speakers wrap personal insights around a practical and up-to-the-minute approach to conducting international trade.

Speaker Kendra Kuo, Director, US Export Assistance Center, Grand Rapids This event will cover the basic concepts in exporting--from doing research to select your target market, how to best take advantage of international trade shows, and method of entry to the logistics and legalities of shipping your product overseas and getting paid. This session will offer a wealth of information to those considering or new to exporting, as well as some tips and ideas for those already in the export game. A portion of the morning will include group discussion, as well as time for questions and answers. Jade Sims, Trade Specialist at the MSU International Business Center, will lead the morning program. Our luncheon keynote will be provided by Kendra Kuo, Director of the US Export Assistance Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She has spent most of her career helping Michigan companies grow their sales by connecting them to booming international markets. The Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan focuses on global issues of interest to the mid-Michigan business community. The monthly GB Club luncheons provide outstanding speakers and relaxed networking opportunities. With extensive international experience, the speakers wrap personal insights around a practical and up-to-the-minute approach to conducting international trade.

Speaker Neil Sheridan, President, SVPI You have just seconds to get someone's attention, and perhaps minutes to win them over to your way of thinking. Whether you are attempting to get an investor's attention or convince a potential customer or overseas partner to give you a second look, your business pitch is everything. This half-day workshop will get you there. Our keynote speaker and facilitator Neil Sheridan is a researcher, adviser and speaker on organizational and business growth, and regularly conducts extensive trainings for businesses and entrepreneurs to prepare them for pitch competitions. Neil is President of SVPI, LLC, a Michigan advisory and management corporation active internationally. SVPI assists clients with strategy, valuation, performance, and innovation initiatives. Neil speaks internationally on strategy and innovation leadership as a keynoter, moderator or panelist. The Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan focuses on global issues of interest to the mid-Michigan business community. The monthly GB Club luncheons provide outstanding speakers and relaxed networking opportunities. With extensive international experience, the speakers wrap personal insights around a practical and up-to-the-minute approach to conducting international trade.

Speaker Karen di Benedetto, Senior Export Compliance Specialist, Bureau of Industry and Security Export regulations have changed, and will continue to change. Are you up to date? Do you know what your company needs to do to be compliant? Does your product require an export license? How do you know? Where can you check? The regulations have changed, do you know which government agencies oversee export controls? Karen will discuss US Export Administration Regulations and how to find out if your product or technology requires a license for export. She will address the new 600 series and how Export Control Reform can affect your company. Whether or not your product or technology requires an export license, restricted party screening is something every company needs to do. Do you conduct OFAC screening? We will discuss compliance visits from the government, and export enforcement including compliance best practices in light of changing regulations. Do you know what your company should be doing to steer clear of violations? Dan Klutch, Special Agent-in-Charge, Office of Export Enforcement (BIS) will discuss what happens when regulations are violated. Jean Schtokal, international trade attorney with Foster Swift will discuss OFAC regulations and screening. Time will be allotted for questions. From the President and CEO to the shipping clerk, everyone is responsible for compliance with regulations. This workshop is ideal for current exporters, as well as new exporters. We will highlight the top 6 things companies should be doing right now in light of the new and changing regulatory environment. The Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan focuses on global issues of interest to the mid-Michigan business community. The monthly GB Club luncheons provide outstanding speakers and relaxed networking opportunities. With extensive international experience, the speakers wrap personal insights around a practical and up-to-the-minute approach to conducting international trade.

Speaker Dr. Titus Awokuse, Professor and Chairperson Hear from experts in the field and experienced exporters about how to perform background checks and verify potential customer fit. We will discuss due diligence in choosing a partner as well as ways of insuring shipments for all types of potential risk. Prof. Awokuse of the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics is our luncheon keynote speaker, he will address where to look for the best opportunities for Michigan agricultural exports. $35 registration fee includes lunch. The Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan focuses on global issues of interest to the mid-Michigan business community. The monthly GB Club luncheons provide outstanding speakers and relaxed networking opportunities. With extensive international experience, the speakers wrap personal insights around a practical and up-to-the-minute approach to conducting international trade.

This event features film and book promotion by the author(s) of Second Shift: The Inside Story of the Keep GM Movement book. The Lansing Works! Keep GM! movement was a victory of people over bureaucracy, of a can-do attitude over cynicism―a story rarely told in todays complex, technological, and often dehumanizing world of large business and out-of-control government. And the best part was that, in the end, both sides came away winners. Its proof positive that when the public and private sectors work together as equal partners, amazing things can happen.

Speaker Elena Stegemann, Director of International Business, NuStepThis event will cover the basic concepts in exporting--from doing research to select your target market, how to best take advantage of international trade shows, and method of entry to the logistics and legalities of shipping your product overseas and getting paid. This session will offer a wealth of information to those considering or new to exporting, as well as some tips and ideas for those already in the export game. A portion of the morning will include group discussion, as well as time for questions and answers. Jade Sims, Trade Specialist at the MSU International Business Center, will lead the morning program. Zara Smith, Export Program Manager at Michigan Small Business Development Center, will focus on the export assistance offered by SBDC to its clients, most notably the search engine optimization (SEO) services and other helpful information for selling online. Our luncheon keynote will be provided by Elena Stegemann, Director of International Business at NuStep, a fast-growing exercise equipment company with outstanding international success.The Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan focuses on global issues of interest to the mid-Michigan business community. The monthly GB Club luncheons provide outstanding speakers and relaxed networking opportunities. With extensive international experience, the speakers wrap personal insights around a practical and up-to-the-minute approach to conducting international trade.