Small businesses and entrepreneurs looking to take a leap beyond Guam are often faced with roadblocks– like shipping and financing. 

One is the shipping cost and the different options available to them as they look to export to international markets, GEDA Small Business Division Manager Melvin Tabilas said. "The second is obviously financing. How do we get them to grow? How do we get them to build their capacity in order to meet the consumer demand of their products?" 

He says it’s a roadblock GEDA’s resources can help with. And it’s why GEDA is hosting a free virtual export conference “Taking the Leap Beyond Guam: Exporting for Businesses,” on Thursday, providing the necessary tools to export to international markets. 

 

 

"We have several videos. We have a resources video of several entities and agencies that support small businesses," Tabilas said. "We have a video highlighting several of our Guam Product Seal permit holders. We also have a video on our Guam State Expansion Program participants."

He adds the event will feature public and private sector representatives and experts, providing an opportunity to make connections.

"Folks will be able to hear from U.S. Commercial Services which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Western United States Agricultural Trade Association, Hawaii Pacific Export Council which covers Guam and the other U.S. territories, Guam Small Business Development Center, Guam Unique Merchandise & Arts," Tabilas said. "I’m also bringing in companies from Hawaii and the CNMI to talk about their experiences in their areas to see ways we can learn from them."

He encourages those wanting to learn more about exporting to register and get inspired. 

"We encourage you to participate in this conference, really learn more and grow your company," he said. "Learn from others. We’re not sugarcoating anything in this conference. We want to talk about the challenges and how they’ve approached these challenges to go beyond what they're currently doing and reach international markets.

The virtual conference will be held through Zoom Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Register here: https://bit.ly/GEDAleap2023.