Ten small businesses have been chosen to join us on a trade mission to the US. The trip, which is sponsored by UPS, and organised in association with UKTI, aims to help the businesses expand into new markets. This is what awaits them when they arrive:
Day 1 – Monday 2nd March
1600 Arrive at the W Hotel Midtown, 188 14th Street, NE · Atlanta, Georgia
A welcome speech from Jim Barber, president, UPS International
Day 2 – Tuesday 3rd March
Doing Business in the USA
0800 Travel to Invest in Atlanta
Speaker: Claire Angelle, international affairs director, Office of the Mayor
Welcome address: Craig Richard, CEO, Invest Atlanta
Speaker, Jo Confino, executive editor, the Guardian
0930 Panel discussion: Introducing Atlanta – the economic engine of the South
· Dr. Eloisa Klementich, managing director, business development, Invest Atlanta
· Jeremy Pilmore-Bedford, Her Majesty’s consul general, Southeast USA
1030 British Business in the US. British business leaders who have successfully exported to the US will give their accounts, including key lessons learned and unexpected challenges
- Jo Confino, Executive Editor, The Guardian
- Gordon McRae, Vice President - JML Direct
- Brett Lauter, President – Decluttr (Music Magpie)
- Triumph
1145 Networking lunch hosted by the British American Business Group at Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
Guest Speakers:
• Carl Newton, managing director, Slalom Consulting
• James Anthony, president, Enrich LLC
1415 Panel discussion: Adapting brands for the US Market
Speakers:
- Jo Confino, executive editor, Guardian (Chair)
- Stephan Gans, chief strategy officer for North America, Interbrand
- David Butler, vice president, innovation and entrepreneurship, The Coca Cola Company
- Ashley Grice, managing director, Iris Worldwide
Agenda:
- Defining your brand
- Creating a ‘voice’ and communications strategy
- Identifying strategic partners and influencers
- Social media and blogging – opportunities and limitations
Day 3 - Wednesday 4th March
The nuts and bolts of exporting
07.15 Depart hotel for UPS head office
0845 Welcome by George Willis, managing director, UK, Ireland and the Nordics, UPS
0900 Dispelling myths around complex export procedures and regulations
1000 Finding innovative customer solutions
- Kate Gutmann, UPS senior vice president, worldwide sales and solutions
1100 Managing risk in the supply chain
- Matt Guffey, director of marketing UK, Ireland and the Nordics, UPS
1400 UPS tour – small package facility
1830 Official Welcome Reception from UKTI, UPS and the Guardian
Day 4 - Thursday 5th March
Getting down to business
0730 Travel to Centergy One , Technology Square
Speaker: Denise Harris, UKTI, overview of UKTI e-Exporting programme
Presentation from Roger Frampton, CEO and co-founder ExportAction
0930 E-commerce masterclass
Speakers: Roger Lopez, VP marketing, Sideqik and head of digital school/e-commerce at Atlanta technology development centre
1100 US retail and the era of M-commerce
Speakers: Gary Lee, president & CEO, Inreality
1330 Ask the Expert sessions at the Home Depot Technology Development Centre
Delegates will have the opportunity to discuss their business needs and issues with a variety of external experts from the likes of legal, marketing, economic development and industry contacts in a series of 30 minute sessions.
Day 5 - Friday 6th March
Home time
1100 Brunch – farewell and a summary review of the week at Triumph Motorcycles
Speakers: Stan Deans, president, UPS Store
Sign up to become a member of the Guardian Small Business Network here for more advice, insight and best practice direct to your inbox.
