MGTA Education Program
China Day
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
7:30am Registration
8:00am–4:00pm Program

What will be discussed?
Are you ready for China? Speakers during this full-day seminar will discuss challenges and opportunities encountered in US/China trade transactions. In the morning, you’ll hear an overview of China’s political and economic background, market opportunities, import and export processes, and financing alternatives. Later, you will hear very practical words of advice about different business strategies with China and discussions on specific topics including intellectual property protection, textiles, due diligence, culture and negotiation as you trade with China.

Who should attend?
International trade professionals thinking about the Chinese market, entering the Chinese market or already conducting business in China. Great information and discussion for logistics personnel, attorneys and trade consultants, freight forwarders, carriers, product managers, and sales and marketing.

Agenda

7:30	Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:00	Welcome & Introduction – Laura Bottenfield, US Bank – Mary Jo Stangl, Minnesota Trade Office
8:05	State of Minnesota’s China Strategy – Tony Lorusso, Minnesota Trade Office
8:30	China Today – Kent Kedl, Technomic Asia & co-author of The China Ready Company
9:30	Break
9:45	China Sourcing – Ole Dam, The Antioch Companies/Creative Memories – Pam Olson, US Bank
11:00	Exporting to China – Jeff Erickson, Komo Machine, Inc. – Pam Olson, US Bank
12:30	Lunch
1:15	Tales from the Trenches Panel – Luke Stevens, Cargill – Mark McGeary, Polaris Industries – Tom Schabel, Alexandria Extrusion – Charles Cole, American Polywater
2:15	Break
2:30	Special Issues Panel Intellectual Property Rights – Amy Xu, Dorsey & Whitney, LLP Textiles – Gordon Anderson, C.H. Robinson Worldwide Due Diligence – Gaylen Knack, Gray Plant Mooty
3:30	Culture & Negotiation – Mark McGeary, Polaris Industries
4:00	Adjourn

About the Speakers

Gordon Anderson is a Licensed Broker and is Vice President of Brokerage Operations for C.H. Robinson International. Gordon has been in the Brokerage business for 25+ years and, as a Midwest Global Trade Association (MGTA) member, has served as co-chair on the education committee and Board of Directors. He is also an active member of the national trade association, American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI). Gordon has been a past speaker on various Customs and International Trade related topics for MGTA, Minneapolis Community & Technical College and Metropolitan State University. As a broker, Gordon has consulted and resolved a wide range of Customs disputes for clients involving classification, valuation, country of origin, seizures, prior disclosures and ADD/CVD cases for clients importing product ranging from unfinished wood products, house wares, apparel and textiles, toys, machines, luggage, electronics and festive items.

Charles Cole is the International Sales Director for American Polywater. He has twenty-five years of international sales and marketing experience, with primary areas of focus being the development and management of international sales and distribution channels. These channels include the establishment of a sales/production operation in Singapore, a wholly-owned sales and technical support subsidiary in Australia and various independent sales networks in the Pacific Rim and South America. American Polywater has existing distribution channels in Hong Kong and Shanghai and is working to expand into other areas of China.

Ole Dam is Vice President of Global Operations for The Antioch Company/Creative Memories. He is a recognized expert in Demand Flow Manufacturing (aka Lean Operations), the driver of World Class results. He has more than thirty years of progressive and successful experience in operations management with firms such as Rockwell International and Digital Equipment Corporation, as well as consulting assignments nationally and abroad. Prior to joining The Antioch Company, Ole was Vice President of manufacturing for General Signal Corporation, a $2.5 billion holding company consisting of 21 units and 52 manufacturing facilities.

Jeff Erickson is the Executive Vice President of Komo Machine, Inc. He began his career with Komo as an electrician 20 years ago and has earned the senior executive opportunity through the professionalism and expertise he demonstrated over the years. Since the first machine sale in July of 1997, Jeff has been interested in the Chinese culture and its business dynamics. He has led Komo’s efforts to increase its China trade connections, establishing Komo’s first sales and service center in Nanjing, China in September 2005. After Komo’s first sale to the aerospace industry, the company has expanded and is able to offer a full line of products.

Kent Kedl is executive director of Technomic Asia, a Shanghai-based market strategy consulting firm, and has worked in China for over 20 years. He has assisted hundreds of companies over a range of industries with market feasibility assessment, competitive analysis/SWOT, distribution strategy, strategic sourcing and acquisition/alliance assessment. Prior to joining Technomic Asia, he was co-founder and Vice-President of eStar-Solutions, an Asian business and IT strategy firm. In this capacity, he was responsible for business and new product development. Previously, Kent was Director of Customer Services for Fourth Shift Asia, providing business solutions to Asian manufacturing firms. Kent is co-author of the newly published book, The China Ready Company (www.chinareadycompany.com). Kent can be contacted at kkedl@technomicasia.com.

Gaylen L. Knack is a partner in the Minneapolis-based law firm of Gray Plant Mooty. Gaylen assists clients in protecting their business assets and minimizing legal risks as they seek to develop new markets for their products and services. Specifically, he advises clients in structuring international and domestic distribution, franchise, supply and licensing programs and addressing related regulatory issues. He also has advised numerous local and national companies respecting export and import controls (including anti-terrorism legislation), protection of trademark and other intellectual property and due diligence and compliance programs for clients that conduct business overseas. Gaylen has authored several articles on legal developments impacting foreign business activities in China, conducting due diligence on foreign partners and U.S. anti-terrorism legislation, among other topics, and has spoken at events sponsored by international, national and state legal and business/trade organizations.

Tony Lorusso was appointed in November 2003 as director of the Minnesota Trade Office (MTO), the state’s official export development arm. As director, Tony is responsible for developing the state’s international marketing plans, identifying international market opportunities, managing trade missions, guiding the development of export education programs and promotional events, and overseeing a staff of international trade representatives. Under Tony’s direction, the Minnesota Trade Office also is the lead agent for the Minnesota – China Partnership, a new broad-based, statewide strategy to enhance Minnesota’s relationship with China.

Mark McGeary has been purchasing products from Chinese companies for more than ten years. He is currently employed as a Senior Purchasing Agent for Polaris Industries. Mark’s experience includes identifying and qualifying suppliers, sourcing products for cost reduction projects and negotiating master supply agreements with suppliers in China and throughout Asia. During his career, he has traveled to 21 of the 33 provinces and territories in mainland China. Mark has a B.A. in International Management and Spanish from Saint John’s University and Master of International Management and MBA degrees from the University of St. Thomas. In 2001, he lived in Beijing for six months while completing his MBA degree.

Pam Olson has been with U.S. Bank for seven years in the International Banking division. She consults with and assists clients with the complexities of international payment structures. She helps both local and national companies structure trade deals and counsels them on how to lessen the financial risks of doing business internationally. Prior to U.S. Bank, Pam spent 10 years with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. Pam has served on the MGTA Board of Directors and has been a member for many years.

Thomas J. Schabel became President of Alexandria Extrusion Company in 1992. Prior to this appointment, he served as the company’s plant manager since 1987. In 1997, Thomas became owner of the company. Thomas received his B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin in 1977. He has an extensive background in the aluminum manufacturing industry. He currently serves on the Alexandria Technical College General Advisory Committee and the ATC Foundation. He is also a board member for the Aluminum Extruders Council. Alexandria Extrusion Company was recognized with the Minnesota Council for Quality Advancement (Silver) Award in 1997. In 1998, the company received the Governor’s International Trade Award from the State of Minnesota and the Minnesota Council for Quality Achievement (Gold) Award. Alexandria Extrusion Company was recognized as a MNStar worksite in 2003 as part of the Minnesota OSHA program. In 2005, the company was named as an emerging company finalist in Advanced Manufacturing for the Tekne Technology Company Award.

Luke Stevens is a Product Manager for Cargill Health & Food Technologies, a business unit of Cargill based in Minneapolis. He’s been with Cargill for 11 years, serving in various roles, including production, R&D, and technical service, in addition to his current role in sales and marketing. Luke has a BS in chemical engineering from the University of Iowa, an MS in Chemical Engineering from Tulane University, and an MBA from Carlson School, the University of Minnesota. Luke’s role has involved China for the past 16 months.

Amy Xu is a partner with Dorsey & Whitney, LLP practicing in Information Technology and Intellectual Property law areas, including patents, trademarks, domain names, copyright, Internet E-commerce related prosecution, merger and acquisition, and technology licensing, representing clients from U.S. and Asia.

Meeting Specifics

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

China Day
7:30am Registration
8:00am–4:00pm Program
Doubletree Park Place Hotel

Cost:*

Members $120.00 Nonmembers $170.00 Students $60.00

*For all registration options: $10 discount if registered and paid by March 7, 2006. Please register by noon on March 9, 2006. No refunds for cancellations after noon on March 9, 2006.

Registration
Register online, download a PDF of the registration form or contact the MGTA office at (651) 917-6257 or office@mgta.org.

Directions
Doubletree Park Place Hotel
1500 Park Place Blvd
St. Louis Park, MN 55416-1527
(952) 542-8600

• From I-94 Eastbound (from St. Cloud): Take I-494 South to I-394 East. From I-394 East, take the Park Place Blvd/Xenia exit. Turn right at the stoplight. Turn right at 16th Street West. The hotel will be on the right.
• From I-94 Westbound (from St. Paul): Exit onto I-394 West.*
• From I-494 Westbound (from airport): Exit onto Hwy 100 North, then exit onto I-394 West.*
• From I-694 East- or Westbound: Take Hwy 100 South and exit onto I-394 West.*
• I-35 North- or Southbound: Exit onto I-94 West, then onto I-394 West.*

*From I-394 West, take the Park Place Blvd/Xenia exit. Turn left at the stoplight. Take the overpass to 16th Street West and turn right. The hotel will be on the right.

Cooperating Organizations:
College of Management - Metropolitan State University
Commercial Service - U.S. Dept of Commerce
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Minnesota Trade Office (MTO)
St. Paul College
U.S. Small Business Administration