Community Calendar

The Black Friday Scholarship Bootcamp is an empowering conference open to all students, with a special focus on supporting first-generation, low-income, and students of color in achieving their college and career goals. Attendees will gain essential skills in financial literacy for college planning and explore strategies to secure scholarships, guided by keynote speaker Gwen Thomas, scholarship guru and founder of the Bootcamp. The event also features insights from professionals in 21st-century careers, who will be on hand to engage and inspire students, helping them prepare for the future while addressing critical topics like the impact of changes in affirmative action on college admissions.

Join us on December 4th for a virtual Business Travelers Series session on Navigating India! We will cover how-tos and best practices for doing business in India, as well as, how to maneuver through cultural nuances business professionals often face while working with or traveling to India.

Topics of discussion will include, but are not limited to:

Country Overview
Business Meetings
Gift Giving
Communication
Business Attire
Negotiating Tactics

Are you looking to expand your business and tap into new markets? Do you want to take your products or services to the global stage and reach customers around the world? If so, then you won't want to miss our upcoming New-to-Export Workshop!

Van Andel Global Trade Center (VAGTC) along with a network of State and Federal Organizations are committed to helping businesses of all sizes start and expand their exports. Discussion topics will focus on businesses in need of help to start exporting or to grow existing exports.

Each workshop will provide businesses with:

First steps & resources to start to build exports
An overview of statewide export services available to assist Michigan businesses
Actionable next steps to start or grow existing exports
Partners: Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, U.S. Small Business Administration, EXIM Bank, U.S. Department of Commerce - Grand Rapids, Michigan Small Business Development Center

A link to the virtual training will be sent to registrants 24 hours before the start of the session.

Join us on January 14th for a virtual Business Travelers Series session on Navigating South Korea! We will cover how-tos and best practices for doing business in South Korea, as well as, how to maneuver through cultural nuances business professionals often face while working with or traveling to South Korea.

Topics of discussion will include, but are not limited to:

Country Overview
Business Meetings
Gift Giving
Communication
Business Attire
Negotiating Tactics
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Sponsored by: The Michigan Economic Development Corporation

A link to the virtual training will be sent to registrants 24 hours before the start of the session.

This informational seminar will provide you with a detailed understanding of how to import goods efficiently and effectively. Gain an in-depth knowledge of the regulatory framework of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other essential import agencies that oversee imported goods, enabling you to optimize import processes. Discover industry-leading best practices to minimize additional costs in your global supply chain, enhancing operational efficiency. Equip yourself with strategies to navigate the import landscape effectively, reducing risks and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Topics Covered:

Understanding Import Transaction Structures
History of Customs & Mod Act
Entry of Merchandise
Important Import Data
Value of goods and assists
HS Classification
Country of Origin
Post Entry Procedures
Import Compliance Best Practices
Record-Keeping Requirements
CTPAT
Duty Drawback & Foreign-Trade Zones

For those responsible for export and/or compliance, this seminar will provide a foundational understanding of the most important things you need to know to be a successful exporter including trade regulations, documentation, shipping procedures, and compliance essentials. Gain insights into best practices to streamline your export processes and optimize your business operations on a global scale. Participate in interactive discussions and Q&A sessions to deepen your understanding and address specific export-related questions. Discover a wealth of resources, tools, and support available to assist your company in expanding its export operations.

Topics covered:

Understanding Export Transactions
Creating Export Documentation
Filing of Export Declarations in AES
Use of Incoterms® 2020
The Importance of Value, HS Classifications & Country of Origin
Use of Free Trade Agreements, such as USMCA
Setting Up Export Recordkeeping
Managing Export Compliance Risk
Export Resources Available

Prices increase on January 10th! Reserve Your Seat Today!

The Michigan Automotive Suppliers Symposium is a yearly event bringing together industry leaders, business owners, senior management, and key decision-makers from all tiers of the automotive industry. This premier automotive supplier event provides the most up-to-date industry forecasts, latest issues, and trends, with opportunities to network and learn from others in the increasingly challenging and ever-changing industry of automotive.

Title Sponsor: Plante Moran

Sponsors: ArtiFlex, Bluewater Hayes, Chase Bank, S&P Global, Morrison Industrial Equipment, The Right Place, and Warner Norcross + Judd

*Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact us to learn more!

This full-day training will be held in person at GVSU’s Downtown Campus. Complimentary parking, breakfast, and lunch will be provided.

Understanding how to classify products under the Harmonized System (HS) is essential in keeping the global supply chain moving. HS classification is an essential component in both, export declaration for export shipments and the customs entry for import shipments. The HS classification is central to determining export eligibility, import duty rates, and taxes. The correct HS classification is also key to determining if products qualify for preferential tariff treatment under the many free trade agreements.

Topics Covered:

Understanding and applying the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI)
Utilizing section notes, chapter notes, headings, and subheadings
Classifying parts and kits
Utilizing classification tools such as explanatory notes and binding rulings
Managing HS classification data