Has your firm ever considered doing work outside the United States?
Is your firm experienced in exporting, but would like to increase its revenues from work outside the United States?
Whether you are exploring exporting or expanding exporting, the Geospatial & Engineering International Conference is a place you will want to be.
Engineering, geospatial and surveying professionals have been feeling the pinch of reduced budgets at the Federal and state levels. With spending cuts here in U.S. forecast for the foreseeable future, firms are beginning to think outside the box and actively search for new business opportunities to export their services outside of the United States.
How exactly does a firm begin to explore the international market? What are the costs to do so and are there real opportunities for exporting geospatial and engineering services?
The answer to these questions, along with information on potential partnering opportunities, will be presented at the Geospatial & Engineering International Conference November 13 and 14, 2013 at The Westin Hotel in Alexandria, Virginai
Conference sessions will provide professionals information and resources provided by federal agencies and organizations that provide support for domestic firms looking to export their products and services.
President Obama announced in his 2010 state of the union address a goal of doubling U.S. exports by 2015. This conference will assist geospatial and engineering firms with programs and opportunities available to help meet the Presidents goal and expand the market for U.S. firms.
Federal agencies that provide support and advocacy for geospatial and engineering firms that will speak include the Small Business Administration (SBA), U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the International Trade Administration.
Jodi Hanson Bond, Vice President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will be a keynote speaker at the conference. The Chamber is the worlds largest business federation and a champion on business growth. Ms. Bond will discuss the support the Chamber provides to business for international efforts, how U.S. foreign policy impacts exporting and the Obama administrations support of exporting.
Whether your firm is new to exporting or has experience conducting business overseas, is a small business or large organization, the program is designed to provide relevant content and resources to create a partner and information network for international exporting for your business, said Brian Raber, program committee chair (Merrick & Company, Greenwood Village, CO).
The program includes a unique opportunity to meet one-on-one with potential partners, clients and firms that provide services needed when working in the international market.
MAPPS strives to create programs that are not only educational but provide business development opportunities for senior level executives in geospatial, surveying and engineering firms, said John Palatiello, MAPPS Executive Director. We believe this program provides this balance during a time when private sector firms are exploring new markets.
In addition to the business challenges that can impede exporting, cultural differences and traditions can be equally as perplexing. Terri Morrison, renowned speaker and author of Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands: How to Do Business in More than Sixty Countries will be the keynote lunch speaker. Morrison will lead attendees through interactive cross-cultural experiences that could make or break any international business deal.
The conference is being hosted by MAPPS, the national association for private sector geospatial firms, in partnership with the Association of American Geographers (AAG), American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS), Construction Industry Round Table (CIRT), Global Spatial Data Infrastructure Association (GSDI), National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS), and Urban and Regional Information System Association (URISA).
LIDAR News is a media partner for the conference.
Information on the program and registration can be found on the conference website, www.geointernational.org.