Doing business in the USA Webinar

Meet USA trade experts for a virtual ‘whistle-stop’ tour of Scotland’s top export destination. As we steer out of a COVID-19 world, we will offer you advice on opportunities for your products and services. You will also gain practical tips and guidance which will help you to set up, grow and develop your business from those who have made that journey and continue to do so. The USA continues to be Scotland’s top international trading partner with around 17.1% of all our exports entering the States, worth £5.5 billion. The USA’s size alone, covering four time zones across 50 states and vast cultural differences across regions means it has to be treated as a series of regional markets, with different characteristics and business practices.

This Scottish North American Business Council event, delivered with partners including, Dentons, US Tax and Financial Services, Scottish Enterprise and US Consulate Edinburgh will offer a quick, practical introduction to international trade opportunities in the USA. Significant opportunities exist for Scottish firms across a range of key sectors, spanning across: Life sciences, Electronics, Technology, Financial Services, Food and Drink.

On the day you’ll learn more about the support available for companies like yours considering trading with America. There will be opportunities for you to pose questions and identify professional service providers if you are wanting to establish or expand into the United States. The states attending include Iowa, Pennsylvania, Florida and South Carolina. You can get your questions answered by an expert panel and hear first-hand from business professionals based across the US who have an affinity for Scotland and are willing to share their expertiese. Additionally, Scottish companies who have already achieved success across the Atlantic will be present and will happily share their experiences and top tips for you to learn from.The event will focus on all aspects of trading with the USA including: how to identify routes to market, financing your trade and getting paid, legal aspects of trading in the USA, protecting your intellectual property and cultural differences to consider prior to expanding into the US. A full agenda will be published shortly.

Speakers confirmed thus far include: Consul General US Consulate Edinburgh Jack Hillmeyer, Commercial Counselor Brenda VanHorn US Commercial Service US Embassy London, Jason Dobson Director of Contagious UK, Jane McCracken of DOCS 24 & Assist Director / Entrepreneur in Residence ATDC Georgia Tech, Iain Stirling Founding Director Arbikie Highland Estate, Michael Dexter Smith Pres CEO Xtremesoft North Carolina, Lee Evans CEO Afin Technologies Pres BABC Orange County, Skip Newberry Pres CEO Tech Assoc of Oregon, Emmanuel Adam Exec Director Chief Policy & Trade Officer BAB Washington DC, John J Crawford Team Leader, Trade Strategy, Planning & Partnerships SDI, Sophie Lou Arcese Le Nir UK Rep for The State of Florida, Richard Kilner UK Rep for The State of Pennsylvania, Anke Goebel de Mendez UK Rep for The State of Iowa and Vanesa Goschl UK Rep for The state of South Carolina.