International Focus Magazine iF-March 20 Digital Edition | Page 14

seen on the scene
O
Exporting to Latin America
On February 7, 2020 iF Magazine was seen on the scene for a seminar on “Ex-
porting to Latin America”. The event was presented by the Minority Business
Development Agency (MBDA) and held at Houston Community College
(HCC). The MBDA attracted business people from all sectors to participate.
The purpose of the seminar was to educate the audience on how to export
in one of the world’s largest markets. The audience was fully engaged and
presented the panel with really great and relevant questions such as: What re-
sources within your organization are available to companies who are looking
to expand their export efforts? What are some strategies a company can use
when selecting a new international market? What are some of the challenges
companies face in setting up their international distribution network? What
recommendations would you give exporters that are beginning the process
of selecting an international distributor? In your personal experience, what’s
the most important export practice an exporter can implement? HITDC
president Val Thompson was honored to serve on the panel and the audience
seemed delighted with the answers to many of their tough questions on do-
ing business internationally.
Panelists:
• Alberto Rodríguez-Báez (Moderator), Director, San Antonio
MBDA Export Center
• Val Thompson, President & CEO, Houston International Trade
Development Council, Inc.
• Raya Guruswamy, Owner, EnergyFundz
• Deanna Teel, International Business Program Coordinator, Houston
Community College
• Ambassador Juan B. Sosa, President, U.S.-Panama Business Council
Photos courtesy of MBDA Houston. Photographed by ev1pro.com
14 iF Magazine |March 2020