May 11 — Local Businesses, Entrepreneurs Can Learn from Industry Leaders at Global Ecommerce Summit

BUELLTON — In 2017, worldwide retail e-commerce sales totaled $2.3 trillion. That number is projected to reach $4.88 trillion by 2021.*

May is World Trade Month, celebrated worldwide, and the South Central Coast is on the map with international trade organizations from across the region joining forces to help the local business community understand and enter the global e-commerce market.

Local business leaders, consultants, entrepreneurs, and educators eager to learn about the latest global e-commerce trends, statistics, best practices, and strategies can do all of that and more at the Global E-Commerce Summit May 11th in Buellton.

The Summit is hosted by the SBCC Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, in partnership with the California State Chancellor’s Office Strong Workforce Program, the Department of Commerce, the District Export Council, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the California Centers for International Trade Development (CITD), and local Chambers of Commerce.

Attendees will hear from an impressive lineup of industry experts who specialize in international trade development, strategies, logistics, customs, and compliance, and learn how to assess their global e-commerce readiness to navigate the journey from domestic to exported product. There will also be an opportunity for those in attendance to “Meet the Experts” and ask questions specifically related to their business.

“The collaboration between organizations and the lineup of knowledgeable and experienced speakers demonstrates how much global expertise is accessible right here on the South Central Coast,” said Scheinfeld Center Director Julie Samson. “Global trade is a prominent topic in our region right now, and the Global E-Commerce Summit brings valuable information and resources to our local business community.”

Below is the complete list of Global E-Commerce Summit speakers:

  • Cynthia Torres – US & Foreign Trade Official, US Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
  • David Habib – Legal Expert, Global Trade & Development
  • Jay Tsao – Startup Founder & CEO, Supply Chain Management, Logistics
  • Jerry Tyler – Cofounder of Heart of Nature LLC, International Business
  • Julie Samson – CITD & SBDC Director; DSN, Global Trade & Logistics
  • Ray Bowman – SBDC Director, Global Trade & Logistics
  • Richard Swanson – Regional Director of US & FCS, International Business & Relations
  • Susan Kohn Ross – MSK Partner, Import & Export Law, Compliance
  • Vincent Iacopella – Executive Vice President Growth & Strategy at Alba Wheels Up International Inc., Export & Customs

The Global E-Commerce Summit takes place Friday, May 11 from 9:00am – 2:30pm at the Buellton Marriott Hotel. Doors open at 9:00am for registration and continental breakfast, and lunch is provided.

The event is free, but RSVP is required. For more information and to RSVP, visit 2018globalecommercesummit.eventbrite.com

About the Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation: The SBCC Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation is a hub for entrepreneurial development within the South Central Coast community and is a resource for model programs for other California community college districts. The Scheinfeld Center, part of the Jack & Julie Nadel School of Business & Entrepreneurship at SBCC, trains global entrepreneurs using a comprehensive approach to academics, hands-on experience, and support. Participants can build their business in the classroom and shore up gaps in their entrepreneurial skill set through the Scheinfeld Center’s distinctive combination of coursework, business plan and pitch competitions, industry internships, no-cost business consulting, mentoring, networking, and post-start-up support through the Small Business Development Center. To learn more, visit www.scheinfeld.sbcc.edu or call 805.965.0581 ext. 3643.

About Santa Barbara City College: Founded in 1909, Santa Barbara City College currently serves approximately 15,000 students each semester who enroll in courses for transfer preparation, career education, and foundational skills. SBCC was the 2013-2015 national co-winner of the prestigious Aspen Institute Prize for Community College Excellence. The college was recognized for its quality and focus in four areas: facilitating underrepresented and minority student success, student learning outcomes, degree completion and transfer rates, and labor market success in securing good jobs after college.

Our Mission: As a public community college dedicated to the success of each student…

Santa Barbara City College provides students a diverse learning environment that inspires curiosity and discovery, promotes global responsibility and fosters opportunity for all.

*Source: Statista.com