Supporting Exporters Across the State
South Carolina International Trade Coalition
The South Carolina International Trade Coalition is an organization made up of associations and organizations that provide export services to companies across the state of South Carolina. Members meet regularly to collaborate on export training events, international trade missions, and company outreach opportunities.
What We Do
Here to Serve You
The South Carolina International Trade Coalition is a one-stop-shop for all your exporting assistance needs. The coalition members are a close-knit group of governmental and non-profit associations and organizations who are prepared to collectively lead companies from step to step in the learning process to succeed at exporting. From expert guidance on crucial matters to strategic advice on important decisions, the coalition members are here to guide you through it all. Contact any of our members today to start growing your exports and expanding your markets.
Coalition Members
Dorette Coetsee
U.S. Commercial Service
As director of the U.S. Commercial Service in Columbia, Charleston and Greenville, part of the ITA and linked with 80 trade centers in the U.S. and linked with over 100 overseas offices, Dorette leads a team to assist U.S. businesses with export planning, and locating qualified overseas buyers.
Carla Edwards
SC Department of Commerce
As International Trade Manager, Carla serves both new and established SC exporters looking to grow their sales and revenue internationally. She provides one-on-one export counseling, conducts export workshops, and coordinates trade missions. She serves as the SC director for the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP).
Ray Davidson
SC Department of Commerce
Ray serves as International Trade Coordinator and works with exporting companies throughout the state. He promotes and recruits companies into the South Carolina Export Incentives Program and organizes trade events, including international trade missions and training seminars.
Frank A. Anderson
U.S. Small Business Administration
The SC District Office assists small businesses with counseling, capital access, free training and contracting. The SBA also works with lenders to provide loans up to $5 million and trains socially and economically disadvantaged businesses on federal contracts through the 8(a) Business Development program.
Andy Carr
SC Manufacturing Extension Partnership
As SVP of Operations, Andy helps companies with Competitiveness Reviews, certifications to international standards, and more. SCMEP is a private, non-profit group that serves South Carolina businesses, providing them with a range of innovative strategies and solutions.
Michele Abraham
SC Small Business Development Centers
Michele has served as the director of the state's Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) since 2010. SBDC representatives offer private consulting in all areas of business, including export planning, export market identification, and export financing.
Beth Armstrong Smith
SC Small Business Development Centers
Beth is a NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional and a senior business consultant with the SC Small Business Development Centers. Her areas of specialization include: business strategy/growth; business process, workflow analysis & organizational design; international trade/business diversification; talent assessment, recruitment & development systems
Katie Rees
SC Department of Agriculture
It is the mission of the SCDA to promote and nurture the development of SC's agriculture industry and related businesses while assuring the safety and security of the buying public. As Market Development Director and through her work with the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA), Katie and her team assist South Carolina based agribusinesses promote value-added U.S. food and agricultural products to foreign markets.
Rene Dentiste Mueller, PhD
Global Business Resource Center, College of Charleston
Rene serves as the director of the International Business Program and Global Business Resource Center at the College of Charleston. The center provides export and import planning, market research, and training opportunities.
Charles Kerekes
SC District Export Council
Charles serves as the treasurer of the South Carolina District Export Council (DEC). DEC members volunteer their time to sponsor and participate in trade promotion activities and to provide specialized expertise and mentoring to small and medium-sized businesses that are interested in exporting.
Margie Hardwick
Charleston Women in International Trade
Charleston Women in International Trade (CWIT) champions the role of international trade professionals, particularly women in Charleston and throughout South Carolina. Programs include monthly luncheon programs, networking opportunities, continuing education scholarships, academic scholarships and recognition for excellence.
Upcoming Events
Making Global Markets Accessible - Taking the Next Steps
May 6-10, 2024
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Join us for our weeklong virtual event: Making Global Markets Accessible - Taking the Next Steps! Each day will feature market updates from U.S. Embassies around the globe, presentations on trending topics and funding resources, and the opportunity to meet one-on-one with Commercial Diplomats.
Listen live or watch the recordings at your own pace! The sessions will offer valuable information for all levels of exporting experience. Key topics of discussion will include, but are not limited to:
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Market Updates from Europe, Asia, and the Western Hemisphere
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Data Privacy
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E-Commerce
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Trade Agreement Compliance – making trade agreements work for U.S. industry
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Market Research Tools
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Market Entry and Distribution Channels
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U.S. Trade and Development Agency, Inter-American Development Bank, and State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Funding Opportunities
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...and more!!!
EXIM 2024 Annual Conference - Honoring Legacy, Charting Tomorrow
June 5-6, 2024
Washington, DC
This conference is the U.S. governments premier deal making conference bringing out over 1000 of the world’s most influential people from the Biden/Harris administration, from small businesses, large companies, global bankers, think tanks, and government officials from throughout the U.S. and the world.
These important figures will convene to discuss the latest global trends in trade and finance focusing on important topics like critical minerals, AI, clean and renewable energy, transformational technology, doing business in Africa, small business financing, the future of international economic competition, and so much more.
SC International Trade Conference
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Wild Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms, SC
The South Carolina International Trade Conference is a non-profit entity dedicated to the development of international trade and education. We work closely with South Carolina Ports to educate and disseminate information valuable to the global shipping industry.
Discover Global Markets - South Carolina
October 22, 2024
Columbia, SC
Organized by the U.S. Commercial Service, these annual business development forums focus on an industry and/or world region. The conferences feature one-on-one meetings with U.S. Commercial Service diplomats visiting from abroad; panel discussions on the latest industry trends; export education; and extensive networking with U.S. trade officials and leading private sector experts.
Contact Us
Need assistance? Contact any of the above members directly. To stay informed about upcoming events and opportunities, use the subscribe option below. This will notify coalition members to add you to their email notification lists. To unsubscribe, please contact the individual coalition members.