PORT OF LOS ANGELES AND MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY AT USC TEAM UP TO PROMOTE TRADE

SAN PEDRO, Calif. – July 30, 2014 – The Port of Los Angeles and the U.S. Department of CommerceMinority Business Development Agency (MDBA) Center at the University of Southern California will be holding a FREE “Trade Connect” export workshop August 26, 2014 at USC’s Galen Center. The event will focus on providing information, tools and tips for fashion, garment, health and beauty product companies interested in promoting and exporting their products overseas. “Los Angeles is home to thousands of small- and medium-sized fashion, garment, health and beauty businesses that make products with great potential for export markets,” said Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price Jr., who will be the keynote speaker as Chair of the City's Economic Development Committee, and whose 9th City Council District is home to a large number of garment companies. “This Trade Connect workshop will provide these companies with the essential information they need to expand, take their products to markets around the world and thrive.”In addition to the Port of Los Angeles and U.S. Department of Commerce MBDA, the event will include experts from the Export-Import Bank of the U.S., L.A. Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Association, Los Angeles World Airports, the California Fashion Association, the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the USC MBDA Bridges to Business Success Program, the Los Angeles Small Business Development Center and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Other supporters include the Los Angeles Regional Export Council, the Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation and The Valley Economic Alliance.The Trade Connect Export Workshop will take place from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. at Founders Hall at the USC Galen Center, located at 3400 S. Figueroa Street in Los Angeles. Parking is $10.00. To register for the event, email Jean Coronel at jcoronel@portla.org or register at http://tinyurl.com/ExportIntroFashion.Trade Connect at the Port of Los Angeles was established in 2007 to fill a void in the marketplace for small and midsize businesses. The program conducts workshops and seminars that help educate regional companies about how to export Made-in-America goods and services to international consumer markets. Topics covered include information on export opportunities and foreign markets, exporting costs and requirements, financing and insurance, documentation and logistics, among other subjects. To date, Trade Connect programs have drawn more than 17,000 attendees. Click here for an upcoming calendar of events.The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy as well as the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates more than 830,000 regional jobs and $35 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. The Port of Los Angeles – A cleaner port. A brighter future.

# # #