Program

This conference runs from 7:30am - 11:30am.
We will provide a continental and coffee breaks throughout the morning.
Day 1
19 Oct 2018

Warm Welcomes

Laurel Delaney, President, GlobeTrade.com and creator of the Global Small Business Blog, President, Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global,and author of Exporting: The Definitive Guide to Selling Abroad Profitably (2nd edition)

Ellen Rudnick, Adjunct Professor at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business; Senior Advisor for Entrepreneurship, Polsky Center

Ellen Rudnick
Ellen Rudnick

Opening Remarks

Richard Paullin, Executive Director, International Trade Association of Greater Chicago; Chairman, Illinois District Export Council, will discuss the state of IL exports and international trade challenges and opportunities in general.

Panel discussion

Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart, Co-founder, KOVAL Distillery

Christophe RIDET, Co-founder, WEAR MOI

John Walton, Founder and Managing Director, Jackpoint Jackstands LLC

Alison Larson, founder, Worldblazer Consulting LLC.

Moderated by: Chantal Wittman Meier, Vice President, International Trade Banking MB Financial Bank

Wrap up by: Deanna Kunze, Associate, Nixon Peabody.

Going global is no longer just for large and established enterprises with tons of cash, but for companies of all sizes – from startups and micro independents, to tiny e-commerce firms and small businesses. The future belongs to the agile, lean and more responsive firms as well as to those who look to the world for business.

Four small business CEOs will share their experience on global business growth, success stories, challenges and lessons learned.  They will also address how their companies are reaching consumers on a global scale.
Christophe Ridet
Christophe Ridet
John Walton
John Walton
Sonat Birnecker Hart
Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart 
Allison Larson
Alison Larson
Deanna Kunze
Deanna Kunze
Chantal Wittman Meier
Chantal Wittman Meier

Closing Remarks

Richard Paullin, Executive Director, International Trade Association of Greater Chicago; Chairman, Illinois District Export Council and

Laurel Delaney, President, GlobeTrade.com, creator of the Global Small Business Blog, President, Women Entrepreneurs GROW Global, and author of Exporting: The Definitive Guide to Selling Abroad Profitably (2nd edition)

Raffle of Global Gifts

Raffle of Global Gifts (Must Be Present to Win), Networking and Final Vendor Visits