World Trade Center-Kansas City News: February, 2022

Feb 22, 2022

Category:

World Trade Center · Newsletters

A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

Happy February! This month, at WTC-KC, we have been hard at work prepping for an exciting quarter, and year, ahead. The focus at the KC Chamber will be all about Small Business. This year, the KC Chamber recognized 2100 Small Business Superstars, who will be celebrated at Small Business Celebration this spring. The Celebration features the Weida Award, given to the International Small Business of the year. We know that taking your small business international is no small feat and are always excited to celebrate those businesses in front of the Kansas City business community.

At WTC-KC, we want to help you and your business develop your global presence. To help answer questions on specific markets, we are hosting small, intimate virtual business round tables with top officials from foreign consuls. These round tables are invite-only, focusing on key markets. The first will be on March 17 with the Consul General of Brazil in Chicago, Benoni Belli. Please contact Grace Dolan, gdolan@kcchamber.com, if you would like to participate.

Additionally, WTC-KC continues to make progress on the development of an export accelerator program funded through our recently awarded Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) grant. The program will be launched this spring- stay tuned for updates!

Exporter Spotlight: DataLocker

DataLocker logo

DataLocker is a leader in exporting among small businesses in Kansas City and embody what it truly means to Go Global. Headquartered in Overland Park, Datalocker has branches in Korea and the Netherlands, and sells in over forty countries. To accommodate this, they create products that are localized for international markets with foreign language menus, documentation, and marketing materials.

Jay Kim, CEO of DataLocker, believes that in entering international markets, the key to success is in focusing on working with strong foreign partners that value commitment over market size and perceived potential. “I would advise anyone looking to enter international markets to invest in personal relationships in the market before seeking business relationships,” he writes.

DataLocker also partners with the US Commercial Trade Services to participate in cyber security trade missions, which are great ways to explore new markets. Additionally, they utilize EXIM Bank to obtain low-cost credit insurance, enabling DataLocker to do business in foreign markets without the risk of non-payment.

DataLocker’s experience in exporting has made them a fixture in the KC international business community and has given them first-hand knowledge on trade issues. Jay Kim was a panelist at WTC-KC’s 2021 Go Global KC event and spoke to handling supply chain disruptions as a small business, sharing both experience and advice with the business community. Find DataLocker here.

Dispatches from DC

Photo of Reta Jo Lewis wearing pinstripe suit jacket

On February 9, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Reta Jo Lewis as the President and Chair of EXIM Bank. Upon her swearing in, she will before the first Black woman to lead the bank in its 88 years of existence. Ms. Lewis’s term will end on January 20, 2025. She has been in a leader in the industry for over 25 years, with experience in a variety of industries, including international affairs and business. She was awarded the Secretary’s Distinguished Service Award in 2013 for her work as a Special Representative for Global Intergovernmental Affairs under Secretary Hillary Clinton. Her swearing in date has not yet been determined. Read more here.

Resources

Photo of hands typing on laptop with computer monitor in the background.

Articles to help you on your exporting journey: