WASHINGTON, D.C., USA – On September 4, 2014 the US Department of Commerce International Trade Administration (DOC/ITA) held their Strategic Partnership Summit at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (RRB/ITC). Trade Center Management Associates, the facilities management company that operates RRB/ITC, was one of the first partners selected in public-private collaboration under the Strategic Partnership Program. The event brought together 150 attendees and a collection of panelists and DOC partners from companies across the United States.

The ITA Strategic Partnership Program aims to “broaden and deepen” the U.S. exporter base, leveraging partnerships with trade associations and private corporations. Through these innovative public-private partnerships, the ITA communicates to millions of U.S. businesses about global business opportunities through the International Trade Administration. The Program creates triple win scenarios in that national export objectives are supported, partners deliver valuable information to help their customers and members grow, and more small- and medium-sized businesses get the export assistance they need to be successful and maintain good American jobs at wages 13 to 18 percent higher than workers in non-exporting firms.

The agenda opened with a welcome by Dr. Doug Barry, of the International Trade Administration’s Global Markets office. This was followed up by a presentation by Pat Kirwan, Director of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee, on the upcoming phase of the National Export Initiative (NEI), NEI/NEXT. NEI/NEXT will build on the success of NEI using a new customer service driven strategy with improved information and financial resources that will enable American businesses to reach more overseas markets. NEI/NEXT is based on the results of a customer and community focused study by the Department of Commerce during the first phase of NEI.

New programs are being set up to support more American companies in reaching more overseas markets by improving data, providing information on specific export opportunities, working more closely with financing organizations and service providers, and partnering with states and communities to empower local export efforts. A conversation about NEI/NEXT at the local level included panelists from The Brookings Institution and The Council of State Governments.

Department officials described its Strategic Partners as crucial advocates in the promotion of U.S. exports through their relationships with the public and roles in government advisory committees. A discussion on partnership best practices included Strategic Partners from DHL, eBay, and UPS.

Rand Ruggieri, Deputy Digital Strategist, U.S. Department of Commerce, opened a conversation about providing better trade data to the public that is fast, automatic, and current. An executive from WebPort Global (WPG) provided an overview of how WPG aggregates trade data in a niche digital platform, and allows SME's and multinationals alike to connect, collaborate, learn, and conduct global trade in a trusted environment. WPG has successfully integrated the new ITA trade data Application Program Interface (API), which is easily searchable and fosters a business community that extends networks, customizes trade guidance, and delivers on the promise of the International Trade Administration of enhancing the US export economy. 

The program continued with discussions of ITA’s industry expertise and global markets priority initiatives to broaden and deepen the export market through education and technical assistance, the importance of trade shows, and the potential role of partnerships. A business to business (B2B) and business to government (B2G) showcase drew the program to a close.

To learn more about the International Trade Administration’s programs and resources, visit http://www.trade.gov

Photo caption:  James Krzywicki, COO of WebPort Global, addressed the audience at the ITA’s Strategic Partnership Summit in Washington, DC, on September 4, 2014.