March 26, 2009 • Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Mission Valley • San Diego, CA

 

 

 

Program

8:30 - 9:00 am Continental Breakfast
   
9:00 - 9:15 am Conference Welcome: FCIB & San Diego Credit Association (NACM San Diego)
   
9:15 - 10:15 am

An Overview of Export Assistance and Financing Solutions
for Small and Mid-Sized Companies
This presentation will provide the audience with an overview of trade promotion activities, services and export financing solutions offered by the U.S. Department of Commerce and Ex-Im Bank.  It will cover how businesses can position themselves to compete more effectively internationally, while making sure they are paid.  We will examine resources available to the business community and will provide some perspective of the leading pitfalls that small and medium-sized companies fall into while doing business abroad, as well as the challenges they face.  An examination of some of the successful models that companies implemented in order to expand their business internationally will also be addressed.

Speakers:

Matt Andersen, San Diego Area Director
U.S. Department of Commerce/U.S. Commercial Service

Sandra Donzella, Sr. Business Development Officer
Export-Import Bank of the U.S.

 
   
10:15 - 10:30 am Coffee Break
   
10:30 am - Noon

Export Risk Mitigation Techniques
A comprehensive overview of export credit management, including assessment and mitigation of export credit risks, and avoidance of international payment problems. A comparison of the different mitigation and trade finance techniques and a look at the changing role of the international credit professional.
   
 
Speaker: Paul Beretz, CICE, Managing Director - Pacific Business Solutions, a Q2C Partner
   
12:00 - 1:15pm Networking Lunch
 
1:15 - 2:45 pm Reducing Risks on Credit Sales into Mexico
How to turn your credit application into a valuable legal document that can protect you in cases of buyer default, with a look at governing laws, guarantees and security instruments. Think strategically, develop a game plan, and maintain appropriate documentation.
   
 
Speaker: Romelio Hernandez, President and Director of Litigation - HMH Legal
   
2:45 - 3:00 pm Coffee Break
   
3:00 - 4:00 pm Round Table Country Discussion:
Focus on Asia, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East
A lively, in-depth question and answer session, led by a moderator and a panel of experts - a discussion of key issues with industry peers. The agenda is derived from export country-specific questions submitted by attendees in advance of the program.
   
 
Moderator:

Paul Beretz, Managing Director - Pacific Business Solutions, a Q2C Partner

   
 
Panelists:

Steve Cervantes, CICP, Global Credit and Treasury Manager – ViaSat, Inc.
Jeff Jankowiak, Partner – International Risk Consultants, Inc.
Sabrina Perez, CBA, Credit Supervisor – Kontron America
Cassandra Stiles, First Vice President, International Trade Finance – Comerica Bank


4:00 pm Conference Adjourns