California State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)

Cosmoprof Bologna 2023
2023-03-16 - 2023-03-20 | Bologna, Italy
Join the California Pavilion at the 2023 Cosmoprof Bologna trade show! The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) will provide $3,000 in funding to five (5) eligible California small businesses to exhibit at Cosmoprof Bologna. Join the California Pavilion to elevate your business with pavilion build out, trade support services, and international buyer matchmaking.
The California STEP Program will support up to five (5) STEP program-eligible California small businesses to participate in this event. Review the flyer to learn more.
Contact for the STEP program/California Pavilion: Mariana.Guevara@gobiz.ca.gov
Contact for the Exhibitor Registration: kimberly@caltradealliance.org
Please review the flyer to learn more.
To Register, visit our STEP grant registration portal. Select “STEP Event” as the application type, then select “Cosmoprof Bologna” from the list of events.

Japan Trade Mission & World Smart Energy Week (Waitlist Open until November 30, 2022)
2023-03-11 - 2023-03-18 | Tokyo/Osaka, Japan
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development is planning an in-person clean energy trade mission to Japan from March 11-18, 2023. The trade mission will be co-led by California Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis and GO-Biz Director Dee Dee Myers and will anchor around the World Smart Energy Week trade show in Tokyo. The trade show exhibition cost will be subsidized by the California STEP program for eligible small businesses. Approved trade mission participants who are eligible for the STEP program may have the opportunity to co-exhibit at the California Pavilion at the trade show and promote their products and services to the Japanese market. Space is limited to eight small businesses and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please review the flyer and contact Henan Li to learn more.

Trade Winds ASEAN
2023-03-10 - 2023-03-16 | Bangkok, Thailand (Mission stop options: Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia)
Details: Access ASEAN: Exploring Business Opportunities in Southeast Asia and Beyond. Join this mission in Bangkok, Thailand for the largest U.S. government-led trade mission and business development forum. Organized by the U.S. Commercial Service, Trade Winds will feature meetings with U.S. commercial diplomats from over 20 countries in Southeast Asia and surrounding markets, exciting conference programming, and plenty of networking. Qualified U.S. businesses may customize their experience with optional business-to-business matchmaking meetings with pre-screened buyers, agents, distributors, or joint-venture partners in the land as well as Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
California STEP program will support up to 10 STEP-eligible small businesses to participate in this trade mission. Pre-registration with U.S Commercial Service and passed U.S Commercial Service vetting is required. Review the flyer to learn more.
Contact for the Trade Mission: Jim Mayfield Jim.Mayfield@trade.gov
Contract for the STEP program: Henan Li henan.li@gobiz.ca.gov

Avalon 2023 California Pavilion
2023-02-28 - 2023-03-05 | Avalon, Australia
Details: Join the California Pavilion at Avalon 2023! The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) invites interested California small businesses to exhibit under the California Pavilion within the USA Pavilion at Avalon 2023. California small businesses that qualify for STEP funding are eligible to participate at a significantly reduced cost. Avalon 2023 provides significant sales opportunities for California businesses seeking to enter the Australian aerospace and defense market. It is supported by the Australian Defense Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the Defense Material Organization of the Department of Defense.
The California STEP Program will support up to 8 STEP program-eligible California small businesses to participate in this event. Review the flyer learn more.
Contact for the STEP program/California Pavilion: Diana.Dominguez@gobiz.ca.gov
Contact for the Australia Market Intelligence: Jason.Sproule@trade.gov
Contact for the Exhibitor Registration: MikeP@kallman.com

China Clean Beauty Product Showcase and Seminar
2023-02-21 - 2023-02-22 | Virtual
China is currently the second largest cosmetics market globally and the top destination for U.S. cosmetics exports. It is estimated the Chinese beauty and personal care market will be worth more than $78 billion by 2025. Sophisticated consumers and increasing awareness of the skin-aging effects of pollution are driving more Chinese shoppers to opt for natural and organic personal care products. Join this event to learn more about this highly attractive market and to pitch your clean beauty products virtually to distributors across mainland China and Hong Kong. Program Benefits:

U.S. brands will take part in a marketing campaign featuring well-known Chinese social media influencers.
U.S. brands will be highlighted in a digital brochure sent to distributors and buyers across mainland China and Hong Kong.
Pitch your products virtually and participate in seamless follow-up meetings with buyers and distributors.

California STEP program will support up to 10 STEP-eligible small businesses to participate in this event. Pre-registration with U.S Commercial Service and passed U.S Commercial Service vetting is required. Review the flyer to learn more.
Contact for the event: Cindy Ma Cindy.Ma@trade.gov
Contact for the STEP program: Henan Li henan.li@gobiz.ca.gov

Arab Health
2023-01-30 - 2023-02-02 | Dubai World Trade Center
Details: The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) is supporting up to seven (7) California small businesses with $4,000 each in funding to participate in Arab Health. Arab Health brings together key stakeholders to collaborate and make healthcare a more sustainable, positive impact industry. Discover the way forward through sustainable and innovative solutions that will disrupt existing models, revolutionizing healthcare for future generations.
Review the flyer to learn more.
Contact for the Trade Show: Jodi Munzer jodim@kallman.com
Contract for the STEP program: Diana Dominguez diana.dominguez@gobiz.ca.gov

Corporate Executive Office (CEO) Center Program at MEDICA 2022 (Registration Open Until October 7, 2022)
2022-11-14 - 2022-11-17 | Düsseldorf, Germany
GO-Biz welcomes California businesses to pre-register for the Corporate Executive Office (CEO) Center Program at MEDICA 2022, taking place November 14-17, 2022 in Düsseldorf, Germany! This CEO Center Program offers a curated platform for participating companies seeking to promote their products and discover new opportunities for exports from a full-service office located on the show floor. GO-Biz is supporting a limited number of STEP-eligible California small businesses with up to $4,000 in grant funds to attend this event in partnership with the U.S. Commercial Service. Companies that express interest in participation by filling out the pre-registration form will receive details on STEP eligibility and the next steps in the approval process for joining this program. Please note that funding will be awarded based on availability, so be sure to act quickly! To learn more please view the Event Flyer or contact Emily Desai.

Asia Summit on Global Health
2022-11-10 - 2022-11-11 | Virtual
Details: The Asia Summit on Global Health brings together key players decisions makers and change drivers to address trending topics, explore new opportunities and collaborate at the forefront of the healthcare industry. The Virtual Exhibition area is dedicated to showcasing exhibitors’ businesses and exploring business opportunities in the medical and healthcare sectors with investors and partners around the world via ASGH’s online platform.
The California STEP Program will support up to 5 STEP program-eligible California small businesses to participate in this event virtually. Pre-register with event organizer HKTDC is required. Resource is limited, first come first serve.
Review the flyer learn more.
Contact for the event: Carmen Lee carmen.k.lee@hktdc.org
Contract for the STEP program: Henan Li henan.li@gobiz.ca.gov

Exporting 101: Pathways to International Markets
2022-11-09 08:00 - 12:00, 2022-08-24 08:30 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
The Fresno Center for International Trade Development (CITD) has partnered with the State Center Community College District, the U.S. Commercial Service, and GO-Biz to offer this introductory export training, which will take place twice in 2022. Participants will learn about the process of exporting U.S. products, keys for successful exporting, the export documentation process, and much more. Anyone who is considering exporting is encouraged to attend, from entrepreneurs to business students. Members of any industry will benefit from this workshop, but target industries include manufacturing, equipment, and food and beverages. Please contact Frank M. Nuñez with any questions regarding this event. Use code EXPORTGBIZ to receive a 25% discount on your registration fee.

Indo Defense Trade Mission to Indonesia
2022-10-31 - 2022-11-04 | Jakarta and Bandung, Indonesia
Details: Join the United States Dept. of Commerce International Trade Administration’s business development mission to Indonesia. The purpose of the mission is to introduce U.S. companies to Indonesia’s aerospace & defense ecosystem and assist delegate companies with finding business partners and exporting their products and services to the region. Participating companies will also be able to join the Indo Defense Expo & Forum.
California STEP program will support up to 4 STEP-eligible small businesses to participate in this trade mission. Pre-registration with U.S Commercial Service by Sep.30thand passed U.S Commercial Service vetting is required. Review the flyer to learn more.
Contact for the Trade Mission: Jason Sproule Jason.Sproule@trade.gov
Contract for the STEP program: Henan Li henan.li@gobiz.ca.gov

Advanced Manufacturing Business Development Mission (Registration Open Until June 26, 2022)
2022-10-17 - 2022-10-21 | Jakarta and Batam, Indonesia; Singapore; Tokyo, Japan (optional)
This trade mission will assist U.S. businesses in the advanced manufacturing sector to identify export opportunities in Indonesia, Singapore, and Japan. These markets present excellent opportunities for U.S. businesses because of their strength and projected growth in advanced manufacturing, as well as their strategic location in the Asia Pacific region. The event will include group interaction with government agencies and industry experts, promotional opportunities at the Industrial Transformation Asia-Pacific (ITAP) trade show, and customized one-on-one business appointments with pre-screened potential agents, distributors, partners, and buyers. Please contact Eve Lerman or Dusan Marinkovic with any questions regarding this event. Businesses who qualify for STEP funding may be eligible for funding to subsidize the cost of participation, depending on funding availability. Please contact Henan Li to learn more.

California STEP Program Application Webinar with Live Q&A
2022-09-22 - 2022-12-15 | Virtual
The California State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) administered by GO-Biz will provide free training to California small businesses alongside federal, state, private, and non-profit organizations by conducting practical webinars that guide eligible California small businesses through the STEP grant portal and instructional materials that help guide successful applications.

Discover Global Markets: The Blue Economy
2022-09-20 - 2022-09-22 | Providence, Rhode Island
Discover Global Markets business development forum is the U.S. Department of Commerce’s flagship event series for U.S. exporters. The forum features a dynamic mix of plenary sessions, topical round-tables, prescheduled one-on-one meetings with U.S. commercial diplomats, buyers, and ministry officials from key markets around the globe, and plenty of networking! Participants will have the opportunity to gain market insights from industry experts from U.S. Embassies around the world, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Singapore, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom. Please contact Maryanne Burke or Keith Yatsuhashi with any questions regarding this event. The registration fee is $495 through May 31, 2022, after which it will increase to $645.

SuperZoo
2022-08-23 - 2022-08-25 | Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas
SuperZoo is a U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Event Partnership Program (TEPP)-supported event, and the most attended pet industry trade show in North America. Since its establishment in 1950, the show has served as a key event for the entire industry to connect, learn, and do business, and it now boasts more buyers and education hours than any other industry event on the continent. With its rich education offerings, easy-to-shop show floor, and fun-filled atmosphere, SuperZoo has earned its reputation as North America’s premier pet retail event – and the industry’s most productive and vibrant trade show of the year. Please contact Daniel Giavina with any questions regarding this event. Participation fee varies by type of attendance.

Webinar: Showcasing the International Success of LGBTQ-Owned and Led Businesses
2022-06-29 11:00 | Virtual
Join the U.S. Commercial Service for the fifth event in its ‘From Local to Global: Celebrating Diversity’ event series, which celebrates June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. In this free webinar, participants will have the opportunity to participate in an interactive discussion on how LGBTQ-owned and led Southern California-based companies have successfully grown their businesses internationally.

AmCham Business Summit 2022: U.S.-East Africa Trade and Investment Forum
2022-06-28 - 2022-06-30 | Nairobi, Kenya; Virtual
This Summit aims to expand markets for American, Kenyan, Ugandan, Tanzanian, Rwandan, and Ethiopian businesses. The AmCham Summit Program will take place within the United Nations Complex, Gigiri and offers U.S. companies the following benefits: in-person or virtual matchmaking B2B meetings and facilitated B2G meetings; private one-on-one meetings to discuss business needs with private and public sector representatives; access to deal rooms, both in-person and virtual, to engage with buyers and sellers from across Kenya, East Africa, and the U.S.; and panel discussions and roundtable forums that will be accessible through live streaming and “on demand” for up to four weeks after the Summit. Please contact George Tastard or Leone Mutoka with any questions regarding this event. The fee for participation is $250 (in-person) or $210 (virtual).

LGBTQ+ U.S.-Mexico Travel and Tourism Forum (Registration Open Until May 31, 2022)
2022-06-22 - 2022-06-23 | Mexico; Virtual
The U.S. Commercial Service is partnering with Brand USA, the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), and the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) to organize this virtual event that will promote inclusion, economic development, and travel to the U.S. Travel and tourism represent one of the top service exports for both the U.S. and Mexico, and its benefits reach a wide array of industries and subsectors. Additionally, multiple studies show that LGBTQ+ individuals are often considered strongly entrepreneurial, own businesses, and dedicate a significant amount of resources to leisure activities such as tourism. This forum represents an unparalleled opportunity to support post-pandemic economic recovery and promote the development of minority communities within the United States and Mexico. Please contact Diana Dominguez with any questions regarding this event. Participation is FREE for California tourism authorities and small businesses, but spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis

2022 Select LA Investment Summit
2022-06-22 - 2022-06-23 | Los Angeles
World Trade Center LA and the LA County Economic Development Corporation will be jointly hosting the 2022 Select LA Investment Summit, the region’s only event focused on attracting and connecting international companies to the LA area. The 2022 event will focus on global sustainability with special emphasis on hydrogen, electric vehicles, climate infrastructure, and the circular economy. Select LA provides international and local businesses with a comprehensive understanding of the region’s investment ecosystem with actionable insights that can guide key business decisions. Through matchmaking technology and over four hours of networking, Select LA offers the perfect environment to create and foster new relationships that result in investment opportunities. There will be an array of opportunities to match international investors with local partners, such as table exhibits, one-on-one interactions, plenary panels, and breakout sessions led by local and international executives. Just as important as a connection is understanding the local processes and protocol to ensure successful transactions, which is why attendees will include state and local government officials in addition to private businesses.

Enlit Africa (Registration Open Until May 9, 2022)
2022-06-07 - 2022-06-09 | Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
The US Commercial Service is partnering with Power Africa to recruit US energy and water technology companies, along with international buying delegations from Sub-Saharan Africa, to attend Enlit Africa 2022. Formerly PowerGen Africa – African Utility Week, Enlit Africa 2022 is the leading conference and trade exhibition for African power, energy, and water professionals. The Corporate Executive Office (CEO) Program is available to qualified US businesses that are seeking to enter or expand their share of the Sub-Saharan Africa energy market. It offers a unique, cost-effective way for these businesses to attend the show and benefit from pre-scheduled meetings and other value-added support services. Please contact Jonathan Zeigler with any questions regarding this event. Participation is free for California businesses that qualify for STEP funding.

Virtual Cooking Demonstration and Recipe Development – Mexico
2022-06-01 - 2022-11-30 | Mexico; Virtual
The Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA), in partnership with the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), is working with a small group of select chefs in Mexico who each have 4,000-45,000 followers. Businesses who participate in this event will be paired with the chef best fit for the market, after which the selected chef will work to develop a recipe with their product and conduct a virtual cooking demonstration for online followers. Once a chef has completed a social media post and cooking demonstration, WUSATA’s in-market representative will conduct social media advertising on select online platforms to boost the reach of each post. In addition to the virtual demonstration and social media campaign, WUSATA will also create a digital recipe book of the developed recipes, complete with high-resolution pictures and product information, to promote via social media and include in future promotional outreach events. Following the conclusion of the program in November/December 2022, participants will receive a 1-2 page summary of social media results, an online copy of the cooking video, and a link to the digital recipe book. Please contact Josh Eddy with any questions regarding this opportunity. The fee for participation is $150 USD, but eligible businesses may receive partial reimbursement via the WUSATA FundMatch program.

Webinar: Showcasing the International Success of Asian and Pacific Islander-Owned and Led Businesses
2022-05-25 | Virtual
Join the U.S. Commercial Service for the fourth event in its ‘From Local to Global: Celebrating Diversity’ event series, which celebrates May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In this free webinar, participants will have the opportunity to participate in an interactive discussion on how Asian and Pacific Islander-owned and led Southern California-based companies have successfully grown their businesses internationally.

Resilient Workplace Webinar
2022-05-25 | Virtual
Disaster Resistant Business (DRB) Toolkit, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have teamed up to provide this free webinar that will teach you how to reduce potential disaster losses for your business, keep your doors open when disasters strike, and prioritize your operations to make better strategic decisions post-disaster. Participants will learn to use the easy, interactive, step-by-step toolkit and new mobile tool to ensure that their businesses can survive and thrive through any interruptions – no experience necessary. Invite your team to plan your resilience together! Please contact DRB Toolkit with any questions regarding this event.

Milipol Asia-Pacific 2022 (Registration Open Until April 8, 2022)
2022-05-18 - 2022-05-20 | Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore
Kallman Worldwide is organizing a US Pavilion at Milipol Asia-Pacific, the region’s leading international event for homeland security. Participants will be able to connect with high-level law enforcement, counterterrorism, and public safety delegations from the APAC region and 10,000 security industry professionals from around the world. Benefits for participating businesses include an individual Turnkey Booth within the US Pavilion, an entry in the Official Milipol Asia-Pacific Catalogue, and access to US Pavilion events such as the opening ceremony, networking mixer, and market briefing. Please contact Henan Li with any questions regarding this event. Participation costs up to $5,000 USD are subsidized for California businesses that qualify for STEP funding.

Minority Business Focused Trade Mission to Italy, Spain, and Portugal (Registration Open Until March 25, 2022)
2022-05-15 - 2022-05-21 | Milan, Italy; Madrid, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal
The goal of this executive-led trade mission is to connect minority US businesses and trade associations in the ICT, safety and security technology, environmental technology, and energy sectors with pre-screened business prospects in these Southern European markets. Participants will have the opportunity to receive market insights from US International Trade Administration experts and US companies already operating within the region. They will also conduct appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors, and joint venture partners, as well as with local government officials and industry experts, where applicable. This mission is being organized by the US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. Please contact Jonathan Zeigler with any questions regarding the event. Participation costs up to $3,000 USD are subsidized for California businesses that qualify for STEP funding.

California-Mexico Aerospace Business Summit (Register by April 29, 2022)
2022-05-12 10:30 - 19:00 | Downtown Los Angeles
California small businesses who attend the California-Mexico Aerospace Business Summit will have the opportunity to meet with an inbound business delegation of Mexican buyers, potential partners, and buying authorities from major aerospace clusters of Mexico. After first meeting in a group setting to learn about the plans, priorities, needs, and procurement processes of the Mexican delegation members, California delegates will meet one-on-one with relevant authorities to present their products/services. California participants will also have the option to request one-on-one meetings with U.S. embassy officials to gain insights into real-time market access. Key opportunity sectors include civil and commercial aviation, aircraft maintenance, airport equipment and services, aircraft components, aviation and helicopter services, and defense. Please contact Diana Dominguez with any questions regarding this event. Participation is free for California businesses who qualify for STEP funding.

California Agricultural Export Training Program (CalAgX) Training Series
2022-05-12 - 2022-06-14 | Virtual
The Fresno Center for International Trade Development (CITD) is partnering with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), State Center Community College District, the U.S. Commercial Service, and GO-Biz to launch a ten-part export training program for California food and agriculture companies. This training program, focusing on new-to-export agricultural businesses, will help companies prepare and succeed in international markets. Attendees will learn from industry experts on issues related to logistics, finance, documentation, and import regulations. CalAgX will hold this live online training for two hours every Wednesday, from May 12 to July 14, 2022. In order to be eligible to participate, businesses must be in business for at least one year, based in California, and with product(s) grown and produced in California. Visit the CalAgX website or see the flyer below for more information regarding this event. Use code CALAGXGBIZ to receive a 25% discount on your registration fee.

Showcasing the International Success of Arab and Middle Eastern-Owned and Led Businesses
2022-04-27 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Join the U.S. Commercial Service for the third event in its ‘From Local to Global: Celebrating Diversity’ event series, which celebrates April as National Arab American Heritage Month. In this free webinar, participants will have the opportunity to participate in an interactive discussion on how Arab and Middle Eastern-owned and led Southern California-based companies have successfully grown their businesses internationally.

National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show
2022-04-23 - 2022-04-27 | Las Vegas Convention Center
This year’s NAB Show will offer an entirely reimagined experience to help discover the innovations and solutions driving the future of the media and entertainment industry. Attendees will be able to pick from among three collections of exhibits and networking opportunities: Create, Connect, and Capitalize. Participants who are looking for international buyers, market intelligence, or other export-related knowledge should visit the International Trade Center hosted by the U.S. Commercial Service. International Trade Specialists will be in the lounge located in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, eager to answer your questions free of cost. Stop by to learn more on how to connect with the international buyers from 20+ countries that have been recruited by the U.S. Commercial Service to attend the show – no appointment necessary! Please contact Christina Parisi with any questions regarding the International Trade Center or the NAB Show itself. Attendees can receive a free Exhibits Pass and $100 off a Conference Pass with discount code ID116.

United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Dialogue
2022-04-22 07:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
The USMCA SME Dialogue is convened by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), together with the Global Affairs Canada and Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service, and the Development Productive Unit and the Vice Ministry of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Economy of Mexico. The Dialogue brings together small- and medium-sized businesses and stakeholders, including those representing underserved communities, with government officials to discuss strengthening regional trade and investment with USMCA, enhancing cooperation on issues of mutual interest to SMEs, and helping more small businesses benefit from the USMCA, which will foster economic growth and jobs in communities across North America. Topics for discussion include USMCA small business trade resources for exporting and importing under USMCA; SMEs sharing their best practices for trading across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico; and small business COVID-19 recovery resources. Participation in this free virtual event is open to SME stakeholder communities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, but space is limited online and inclusion is not guaranteed, so early registration is encouraged. Please contact the USTA SBDC International Trade Center with any questions regarding this event.
