March 31, 2003
INFORMATION: Sue Bozman or John McElwain, (661) 362-3415 or 3494
International Trade Seminar Slated for April 22
Businesspeople seeking to expand into the global market are encouraged to attend an informational breakfast seminar that will explain a wide range of international trade services being offered through a new training partnership between College of the Canyons and the California Centers for International Trade Development (CITD).
The seminar is scheduled 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 22, at the Holiday Inn Express, 27413 Tourney Road. The $20 registration includes a continental breakfast and program materials.
“A recent survey of local companies indicated a significant interest in international trade, particularly with the Pacific Rim,” said Dena Maloney, dean of economic development at the college. “Capturing the market opportunities presented through international trade requires access to specialized knowledge of trade issues and technical assistance, all available through the CITD.”
The mission of the CITD is to provide training and technical assistance to small and medium-sized California businesses seeking to enter or expand their activity in the international marketplace. Funded through the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, the CITDs have often led foreign trade missions for local business representatives and hosted foreign delegations seeking to do business with California firms.
“The seminar is important for those businesses considering moving into the global trade arena, as well as those already engaged in international trade,” said Eugene “Gene” Bohatch, director of the CITD at Citrus College. “We have resources and expertise to assist companies either just starting out or who have specific issues concerning their current international trade business.”
Bohatch and Edward C. Rivera, director of the Oxnard College CITD, will speak during the seminar about the size of the international trade market, recent trends in international trade development, barriers and opportunities for growth, and how to effectively navigate the maze of regulations affecting international trade.
Rivera is a recognized international administrator, lecturer and marketing management consultant to government and business here and abroad. He has administered his own international management-consulting firm since 1975, and he has served as a commissioner on the U.S. Commission for the Study of International Migration and Cooperative Economic Development. He was previously administrator for the San Francisco Export Development Center, funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce for the eight western states, and a White House translator and interpreter.
His educational background includes a B.S. degree in business administration from the University of Maryland, law studies at Loyola and Golden Gate universities, and studies in the faculty of philosophy and letters, University of Barcelona, Spain. He has served many years as a special consultant to the Mexican National Congress.
Bohatch, who also serves as director of the California-Mexico Trade Assistance Center at Citrus College, has more than 25 years of hands-on international trade experience with more than 40 countries. His experience includes setting up and managing international sales and distribution networks, as well as extensive international market and product research studies.
Bohatch previously was the owner and principal consultant in Encon Associates, which completed major market research and product positioning studies for U.S. and international companies. He has worked extensively with small and medium-sized businesses, and entrepreneurial startups, for both domestic and international operations and markets.
He is a co-founder of the Business Incubation Partnership of Southern California, the California Venture Forum, and the Global Trade Association, as well as non-profit business and economic development organizations in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
To register for the seminar call the College of the Canyons Economic Development Division at (661) 362-3521.
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