HomeMy WebLinkAboutEdina_Emerald_Export_Initiative_March_2013
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Emilie Kastner, Communications Assistant
Phone 952-826-0342 • Fax 952-826-0389 • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City, Chamber to hold Edina Emerald Export Initiative Conference
Edina, Minn., March 12, 2013 – The City of Edina and Edina Chamber of Commerce will hold the Edina
Emerald Export Initiative Spring Conference 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 26 at the Microsoft
Technology Center, 3601 W. 76th St., Suite 600.
Moderated by City Manager Scott Neal, the conference will provide mentorship and connections for
businesses and entrepreneurs interested in establishing an exporting foundation.
The event will begin with networking and a continental breakfast, followed by speaker Ed Dieter, Acting
Executive Director of the Minnesota Trade Office. A panel discussion about exporting will also be held to
highlight stories, experiences and information on topics including freight operations, financing export
initiatives and legal advice. Panelists include Vice President of Platinum Bank Mark Cove, Sr.; Attorney Marcia
Haffmans; Senior Vice President of Starkey Hearing Technologies Phil Lyons; and representatives from the
Minnesota Trade Office.
Before the close of the event, mentors will be assigned to help assess exporting potential of businesses.
No export experience is required for participation. Cost for Edina Chamber members is $10; non-members,
$20.
“Eighty-seven percent of market growth in the world in the next century is expected to occur outside the
United States and businesses that do not position themselves to be competitive will be left behind. At the
same time the thought of exporting can be daunting- especially for small and medium size businesses,” said
Chamber of Commerce President Lori Syverson. “The Emerald Export Initiative is designed to work one-on-
one with businesses to connect them to the resources that can guide them through the process. We want
Edina businesses and those in the Twin Cities to have the tools they need to compete in the global market.”
Edina Emerald Export Initiative is a partnership of the City of Edina, the Edina Chamber of Commerce and the
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. The conference is sponsored by Abdo,
Eick & Meyers.
For more information or to register, call the Edina Chamber of Commerce at 952-806-9060 or visit
www.edinachamber.com.
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