Calendar of Events
Luncheon Forums/CalChamber Events
Capitol Summit/Host Breakfast
Event Submission Form
2021 Calendar of HR Training Events
Global trade in 2020 was buffeted by trade wars, talk of anti-globalization, and a recession-driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. Is an incredible 33.1% third-quarter growth in US GDP likely to continue in the first quarter of 2021? As the first vaccine is now being distributed worldwide, can we expect the global economy to reach pre-pandemic levels anytime in 2021?
Join the World Trade Center Northern California as we examine the global trade outlook for 2021, the current state of international business, and what the path forward may hold.
Pete Mento, Global Customs and Trade Consultant, and creator of the Trade Geek Podcast series will take out the 2021 crystal ball for a look at the international business landscape, including macro-economics and global trade policy issues, to help international businesses better prepare to navigate the year ahead.
Pete Mento
Pete Mento specializes in the elimination, recovery, and minimization of duties associated with importing and exporting. He also assists companies with import and export trade compliance, audit defense, and cargo security programs. Pete, a customs house broker, foreign relations expert, and trade academic, is one of the world’s leading experts on international trade policy and supply chain security. He is considered one of the most insightful and connected trade professionals in the world.
Pete has served as Partner and Practice Leader for the Customs Practices of tax firms Ryan, KPMG, and Crowe. He has also run the global customs operations and consultancies for major freight forwarding firms such as Expeditors, C.H. Robinson and Crane Worldwide. Pete now consults private firms and transportation companies in the development, marketing, and innovation of customs, regulatory and global trade products, secured transportation offerings, trade consultancy, integrated managed services, and software solutions.
Pete received his ALM in Government (Trade Theory Focus) from Harvard University and did his undergraduate work at Maine Maritime Academy, where he served five consecutive terms as a member of the advisory board. A Trade Academic who has written many articles and work papers on Trade Theory and Trade Practices, his Ph.D. studies at the University of Durham in the United Kingdom in Trade Law focused on the role programs like C-TPAT and AEO had on the global economy.
Pete is a highly sought-after speaker for events all over the world. A former professional standup comedian, he has conducted sold-out lectures to tens of thousands of people in every imaginable venue – from university lecture halls to night clubs. His style of mixing economics, history, and humor is always a welcome change for his clients and students. His Trade School webinar series has become the standard for staying up to date on issues of global commerce, and his podcast “Trade Geek” boasts over 10,000 subscribers.
He is the most unlikely trade nerd you will ever meet.
NEW DATE: November 23 – 25, 2021
The International Chamber of Commerce World Chambers Federation (ICC WCF) and Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) are forging ahead with preparations for the 12th edition of the World Chambers Congress, which will take place in one year in Dubai, from 23-25 February 2021.
Preparations for the 12th World Chambers Congress are moving forward at a determined pace. With only one year remaining until the event, ICC and DCCI are working together to identify session speakers, finalise the agenda, and coordinate logistics to ensure a productive experience for all participants.
Under the theme “Generation Next: Chambers 4.0”, the Congress will address how technology is reshaping the future of global trade. Representatives from business, government, civil society and chambers of commerce will unite in Dubai to learn how chambers can navigate the ever-evolving conditions of global trade and remain relevant to their local communities. The event will provide chamber leaders with an opportunity to share best-practices, participate in cross-industry dialogues and discuss solutions that will address existing challenges.
02/23/2021
During this two-nation / four-part mission, qualified California renewable energy and
advanced transportation companies will hear from, and meet with, potential business
partners that include government regulators, utility executives, and private-sector project
management firms from both Spain and Portugal, two European countries that are moving
rapidly to embrace new approaches to energy production and transportation technologies.
On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom left the European Union. The following day it entered a transition period until December 31st. The day before the UK was due to leave the EU Customs Unions and Single Market without a deal, the UK-EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement was finally signed.
Dr. Matt Beech, Senior Fellow at the Institute of European Studies at UC Berkeley and Director of the Centre for British Politics at the University of Hull, provides an analysis of what Global Britain means for future partnerships with the US and specifically, for trade in California.
In 2019, the UK was California’s 12th largest export market with the state exporting more than $5.2 billion in goods to the UK. Dr. Beech’s insights into the nascent UK-US trade deal and the reasons for strong future co-operation will be of great interest to Californian business leaders and those invested in the Anglo-American relationship.
Dr. Beech is a political scientist and historian who teaches post-war British political history, government and ideas – and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Royal Society of Arts. Dr. Beech has appeared in The Times, The Washington Post, The Financial Times, The Guardian, The Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Le Figaro, Les Echos, The Globe and Mail and Bloomberg News. He has worked on programs for Sky News, BBC Parliament, BBC Radio 4, Radio France International and CNBC Asia
The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA), is organizing a Cybersecurity Business Development Mission to Santiago, Chile; Montevideo, Uruguay; and Lima, Peru, March 1-5, 2021, along with an optional stop in Buenos Aires, Argentina on March 8, 2021.
Mission Participants Will: Learn about regional priorities, policy and regulatory changes, projects, and business opportunities. Make industry and government contacts. Have one-on-one business appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors, or joint venture partners in Chile, Peru, and Uruguay with optional appointments available in Argentina. Participate in Networking Receptions. Solidify business strategies and advance specific project goals. Why You Should Join: The purpose of this trade mission is to introduce U.S. firms to rapidly expanding markets for cyber-security products and services in South America.
The mission will help participating firms and trade associations to gain market insights, make industry contacts, solidify business strategies, and advance specific projects, with the goal of increasing U.S. exports to Peru, Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina. By participating in an official U.S. industry delegation, rather than traveling to Peru, Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina on their own, U.S. companies will enhance their ability to secure meetings in those countries and gain greater exposure to the region. By participating in the mission, U.S. companies will partake in customized, one-on-one, business appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors, and/or joint venture partners through which they may export their products and services to the region.
The Mission will provide opportunities for participants to have policy and regulatory framework discussions with foreign government representatives in order to advance U.S. cybersecurity sector interests and it will provide participants with an opportunity to meet with local governments and/or associations, to foster long-term partnerships, and to share best practices.
The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA), is organizing a Cybersecurity Business Development Mission to New Delhi and Mumbai, India, April 19-23, 2021, along with optional stops in Bangalore or Hyderabad, India.
The purpose of this trade mission is to introduce U.S. firms to rapidly expanding markets for cyber-security products and services in India. The mission will help participating firms and organizations gain market insights, make industry contacts, solidify business strategies, and advance specific projects, with the goal of increasing U.S. exports to India. By participating in an official U.S. industry delegation, rather than traveling to India on their own, U.S. companies will enhance their ability to secure meetings in those countries and gain greater exposure to the region.
By participating in the mission, U.S. companies will partake in customized, one-on-one, business appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors, and/or joint venture partners through which they may export their products and services to the region. The Mission will provide opportunities for participants to have policy and regulatory framework discussions with foreign government representatives in order to advance U.S. cybersecurity sector interests and it will provide participants with an opportunity to meet with local governments and/or associations, to foster long-term partnerships, and to share best practices.
https://www.trade.gov/cyber-mission-india
Registration Opening Soon!
2021 NADEC Virtual Annual Export Conference will bring together distinguished speakers, business leaders, high ranking U.S. and foreign government officials, exporters, service providers, and trade promotion agencies via ZOOM. We will discuss the latest news and updates on Trade Policy, Export Market Opportunities, and the new Challenges surrounding the U.S. exporters. Trade Policy Updates include Vital Elements of Modern Trade Agreements, Global Trade and Exporting Post COVID-19, US-UK FTA Update, and US-Kenya FTA Update. Sessions on Export Opportunities and Challenges will address EXIM Bank and SBA Programs to assist Exporters, Virtual Gold Keys and Trade Shows, DEC Partnerships with Like-Minded Organizations, and Using DEC Resources to further Exports – How to get the word out to more SMEs.
Dates and Times: May 26, 12:00 – 5:15 EST and May 27, 12:00 – 5:00 EST
Cost: Early Bird Price of $75 until April 15, 2021; After 4/15, price increases to $99
Group Discount – Buy 3 registrations, Get 1 registration FREE!
Open to All Exporters and Business Leaders!
2021 SelectUSA Investment Summit
The SelectUSA Investment Summit promotes the United States as the world’s premier investment destination and connects qualified foreign firms with U.S. economic development organizations (EDOs) to facilitate business investment and job creation.
The Investment Summit draws high-caliber attendees to help you make connections and get started on business deals:
• EDOs on site to share business location intelligence.
• Pre-vetted potential investors actively seeking business opportunities in the United States.
• Relevant service providers that can help investment possibilities become realities.
• C-Suite executives and government officials who can discuss the latest policy and business trends.
For more information or to register, please click here.
The International Chamber of Commerce World Chambers Federation (ICC WCF) and Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) are forging ahead with preparations for the 12th edition of the World Chambers Congress, which will take place in one year in Dubai, from 23-25 November 2021.
Preparations for the 12th World Chambers Congress are moving forward at a determined pace. With only one year remaining until the event, ICC and DCCI are working together to identify session speakers, finalise the agenda, and coordinate logistics to ensure a productive experience for all participants.
Under the theme “Generation Next: Chambers 4.0”, the Congress will address how technology is reshaping the future of global trade. Representatives from business, government, civil society and chambers of commerce will unite in Dubai to learn how chambers can navigate the ever-evolving conditions of global trade and remain relevant to their local communities. The event will provide chamber leaders with an opportunity to share best-practices, participate in cross-industry dialogues and discuss solutions that will address existing challenges.
02/23/2021