top of page
ADJ_DSC_0088.jpg

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.

UpstateAlliance-12.jpg

Export Plan Development

Putting You On the Path to Success

Coalition Members

2013_USCS0181-EditDorette.jpg

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.jpg

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).

Learn more
Ray Davidson.jpeg

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.

Thompson_Photo.jpg

Clarke Thompson

SC Department of Commerce

As Chief Protocol Officer for the state, Clarke leads most in-bound international, governmental and business delegations and interactions with diplomatic visitors, consulates, embassies and their staff members.

Anita Patel.jpg

Anita Patel

Charleston U.S. Export Assistance Center

As Director of the Charleston USEAC, Anita covers the entire coastal area of South Carolina. She provides export assistance and helps small to medium-sized businesses with export planning, processes, and locating qualified overseas buyers.

AMheadshot.jpg

Anastasia Mukherjee

U.S. Commercial Service

As Sr. International Trade Specialist, Anastasia, a certified Global Business Professional, works one-on-one with local companies to help them determine their export strategies, answer export-related questions, and increase international sales.

Shannon Christenbury Headshot.jpg

Shannon Christenbury

Greenville U.S. Export Assistance Center

As Director of the Greenville USEAC, Shannon provides export assistance and helps small to medium-sized businesses with export planning, processes, and locating qualified overseas buyers.

Dan Holt.jpg

Dan Holt

U.S. Small Business Administration

As regional manager of the Export Solutions Group within the SBA's Office of International trade, Dan helps companies understand and access export financing. He serves North Carolina, South Carolina and Eastern Tennessee from his office in Charlotte, NC.

Frank Anderson-Photo.jpeg

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-1.jpg

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.

Stewart Bauknight.jpg

Stewart Bauknight

SC International Trade Conference

Stewart serves on World Trade Center Charleston’s Executive Steering Committee, the SC International Trade Conference board, and the SC District Export Council. She has worked on international trade policy issues for the World Trade Organization.

Michele-Abraham.jpg

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-smith2-211x300.jpg

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

KatieRees.jpg

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.

RTM-7619.jpg

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.

David Desplaces.jpg

David Desplaces, PhD

Tommy and Victoria Baker School of Business, The Citadel

David is Professor of Strategic Mangement and Entrepreneurship.  He is a CGBP (NASBITE) certified trainer and supports global trade education efforts in Charleston.

Charles Kerekes (4).jpg

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.

Elizabeth_Watson_797_Social_Media.jpg

Elizabeth Watson

Upstate SC Alliance

The Upstate SC Alliance refers companies to export resource providers and supports training activities and company outreach. Elizabeth serves on the SC District Export Council and the steering committee for the World Affairs Council-Upstate.

Margie Hardwick.jpeg

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:

  • Market Updates from Europe, Asia, and the Western Hemisphere

  • Data Privacy

  • E-Commerce

  • Trade Agreement Compliance – making trade agreements work for U.S. industry

  • Market Research Tools

  • Market Entry and Distribution Channels

  • U.S. Trade and Development Agency, Inter-American Development Bank, and State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Funding Opportunities

  • ...and more!!!

New to Exporting Overview

May 16, 2024
10:00 a.m.

This webinar is designed for business owners interested in learning about exporting and how to enter new markets.

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.

IMG_0047.JPG

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.

Subscribe Form

Stay up to date

Thanks for submitting!

bottom of page