May 24, 2016

Small and medium-sized businesses are invited to attend a free exporting seminar on Thursday, June 02, 2016 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Medicine Hat College (MHC). This event is sponsored by APEX, a partnership between Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures (AITF), Community Futures Entre-Corp (Entre-Corp) and Medicine Hat College (MHC). 

The sessions will help companies get started by providing information on the process, including rules and regulations, for exporting to the United States and internationally, as well as the resources available to help navigate the worldwide markets.

Presenters include the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, Business Development Bank of Canada, Export Development Canada and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

“We’ve got a great cross-section of government agencies that support the export industry, they are coming to speak on the different programs that are available to help businesses in our region expand,” says Sean Blewett, manager of Entre-Corp. “Times are a bit challenging now and one of the options for businesses in a downturn is to look at new markets and new opportunities to expand their reach.”

During the seminar a panel of local businesses will be sharing their expertise around exporting. The companies vary in size and industries ranging from technology to manufacturing.

“This seminar really is for anyone who is looking at ways to grow their company. You don’t have to be a multimillion dollar business, with over 100 staff, you could be a small company that is interested in feeling out different markets,” says Tracy Stroud, business development manager at MHC.

Stroud mentions that it’s through partnerships like those with APEX that the college is finding ways to support businesses in the community.

“We recognize that companies are facing challenging times and are fortunate to be able to partner with like-minded organizations that are eager to provide a multitude of opportunities for companies to innovate and not only sustain their operations but grow,” says Stroud.