Global Diversity Export Initiative Events
Featured Events
The U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, organizes trade programs and events to support minority businesses interested in exporting.
The U.S. Commercial Service’s Building Bridges to Global Markets brings in-person exporting expertise to your community. Addressing issues most common to diverse businesses seeking international sales expansion, this series of events will introduce reliable contacts, accurate information, and ready-to-use resources that will place you firmly on the road to exporting success.
Addressing issues most common to diverse businesses seeking international sales expansion, this series of events will introduce reliable contacts, accurate information, and ready-to-use resources. In 2024, we’re teaming up with some of our GDEI Strategic Partners to bring the Building Bridges to Global Markets program to the following annual conferences as well as a number of other events.
- American Indian Reservation Summit | Las Vegas, NV | March 11-14
- U.S. Hispanic Chamber Legislative Summit | Washington, DC | April 22-24
- USPAACC CelebrAsian Business Conference | Atlanta, GA | May 29-31
- National Black Business Conference | Atlanta, GA | August 21-24
Exporting Home Latin America Virtual Connection Program
September 23-26, 2024
The Exporting Home Virtual Connection Program Latin America will enable businesses in the Hispanic diaspora business community in the United States to schedule a week’s worth of meetings with with potential partners across Latin America targeting best prospect industries. This is a new and innovative program leveraging the U.S. Commercial Service worldwide network and the power of the Latin American Diaspora network to help all U.S. businesses - including U.S. Hispanic-led enterprises - succeed in the region.
Let us help you connect with reliable contacts in Latin America:
• Engage in a week’s worth of 40-minute one-on-one virtual meetings with pre-screened, in-country potential buyers and distributors from across the Latin American region.
• Engage with U.S. Commercial Service and Minority Business Development Agency representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce.
• Meet with U.S. Commercial Service U.S.-based Trade Specialists and In-country Commercial Diplomats.
Learn More & Register for the Virtual Connection Program
South Africa Personal Care Opportunities
This initiative aims to help U.S. cosmetics and personal care companies build capacity and access market opportunities in South Africa.
Opportunities will be open to all U.S. businesses in the sectors and are designed particularly to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the African diaspora and underserved communities, including African American, woman, and minority owned businesses.
Pro Beauty Expo in Johannesburg, South Africa: U.S. cosmetics and personal care companies will have the opportunity to participate in-person at this annual show.
Rural Building Bridges at the Mississippi Delta | Greensville, MS | November 13, 2024
During information packed sessions, you will learn more about exporting and access to capital. Meet our local exporting experts for reliable contacts, accurate information, and ready-to-use resources that will place you firmly on the road to exporting success.
Date: November 13, 2024 8:00 am – 2:00 pm CST
Location: Greenville Higher Education Center
2900 Highway 1 South
Greenville, MS 38701
Register Now
National Veteran Matchmaking Conference | Detroit, MI | October 29-30
The U.S. Commercial Service’s Building Bridges to Global Markets program at the National Veteran Business Matchmaking Conference and Vets Night Out 2024 will bring exporting expertise directly to veteran-owned businesses seeking international expansion. Join us October 29th and 30th on the fourth floor of the Detroit Renaissance Center to learn how you can leverage exporting resources to help your business.
Date: October 29-30, 2024
Location: Detroit Marriott at the Ren. Center
400 Renaissance Center, 4th Floor
Detroit, MI 48243
GDEI Trade Mission to the Caribbean Region
Focused on expanding export opportunities for diverse businesses in industries with growing potential in the Caribbean region. Mission will include the “Opportunities for Minority-Led Businesses in the Caribbean Region Conference” in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on November 17-18.
Date: November 17-22, 2024
Application Information
GDEI Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia
The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA), is organizing a Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI) Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia from December 8-9, 2024. Connect with opportunities in the Middle East by participating in the planned trade mission to Saudi Arabia. This mission will connect diverse businesses across best prospect industries with opportunities in Saudi Arabia.
Who should attend?
This mission is focused on expanding export opportunities to U.S. small and medium-sized businesses that are founded, led, operated, or owned by women from industries with growing potential in Saudi Arabia. The mission is horizontal, with various sectors represented, based on best prospects for U.S. companies in Saudi Arabia.
Best prospect sectors include:
- Education/Vocational Training
- Healthcare
- Information and Communication Technology (e.g., e-commerce, HealthTech, financial technology and AI)
- Infrastructure (e.g., project management and architecture)
- Aerospace, Defense, and Security
- Consumer Goods (e.g., beauty and wellness)
- Energy Transition and Renewable Energy
- Transportation and Logistics
- Travel, Tourism and Entertainment
- Waste Management and Water
Recruitment and consideration will be extended to all export-ready U.S. companies, including small businesses, trade associations and other exporting organizations that meet the established criteria for participation in the mission. The trade mission is open to U.S. firms already doing business in Saudi Arabia who are seeking to expand their market share and to those U.S. firms new to these markets.
GDEI Trade Mission to India, Singapore, and Hong Kong
The U.S. Commercial Service is organizing a Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI) Trade Mission to India, Singapore, and Hong Kong from March 2-8, 2025. The mission is focused on expanding export opportunities for U.S. businesses are owned, operated, or led by women and minorities in industries with growing potential in India, Singapore, and Hong Kong, but is open to all export-ready U.S. companies. Participants will first visit Bengaluru, India for the “Export Markets Providing Opportunities for Women’s Economic Rise (EMPOWER) Asia Business Conference” covering 10 regional Asian markets. They will then have the option for up to three trade mission stops in India (Bengaluru), Singapore, and/or Hong Kong.
GDEI Events: More Ways to Engage
By signing up for updates on GDEI Event Updates, you will receive email updates regarding upcoming trade events, webinars, and other educational opportunities and programs for companies interested in expanding internationally.
If you missed one of our key events, you can view selected recordings below.
Locate Additional Events Targeted to Your Needs
See our full event calendar. Attend a local event to connect with experts to learn more about exporting. Find a U.S. or overseas trade event to find potential partners through our matchmaking programs!
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