PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Small-business development organizations and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal are sponsoring a forum on how local companies could benefit from exporting their products.

The Pittsfield Export Forum on Tuesday, Jan. 29, will run from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza will feature two panel talks, followed by a luncheon with the congressman.

The forum sessions are free and open to all area businesses.

Neal will join the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce for a luncheon following the forum at the Crowne Plaza at noon in the ballroom; the cost is $35. Register for the luncheon here.
 
Neal will address the current fiscal situation, tax reform, exports, the recent AMT fix and energy independence.  

The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network is encouraging those who currently export and those who are considering exporting to attend the event.

The panels will include business exporters from Western Massachusetts who will share their success stories. The forum also will feature an overview of a broad range of programs available to help companies with their international business efforts, including the opportunity of grant money available to small businesses to export.  Following the presentations, participants will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with government officials and local businesses to answer specific export questions.

Agenda

Welcome Remarks - Congressman Richard E. Neal

Panel One

    Tom Gradel, Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment
    Paula Murphy and Ann Pieroway, Massachusetts Export Center
    John Joyce, Small Business Administration
    Melissa Branzburg, U.S. Department of Commerce
    Keith Girouard, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network

Panel Two

    Mike Supranowicz, President & CEO, Berkshire Chamber of Commerce – Moderator
    Mike Tweed-Kent, Vice President & General Manager, General Dynamics
    Virginia DuBois, Inside Sales Manager, Interprint
    Josh Levine, President, LympheDIVAs
    Lyn Biasin, Supply Chain Manager, Onyx
    Michael Hopsicker, President & CEO, Ray Murray, Inc.


Sponsors are Neal, Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network's Mass Export Center, Associated Industries of Massachusetts, CONECT, Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment and the Small Business Administration.