What does Metro Chicago Exports Do?
Building Connections. Through our network of service providers and other partners, Metro Chicago Exports provides vetted referrals to help companies hit the ground running with an exporting strategy.
In 2016 Metro Chicago Exports established partnerships with the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC), U.S. Commercial Service, and Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank).
Providing Grants. In partnership with JPMorgan Chase, Metro Chicago Exports helps companies offset costs associated with exporting. Past recipients are now expanding to new markets and finding new customers the world over.
In 2015 and 2016, 104 local companies were awarded grants of up to $5,000 to help cover expenses for airfare, trade shows, marketing campaigns and materials, web-site optimization and translation.
Charting Courses. Metro Chicago Exports helps companies plan strategically to enter new markets through tools like our Export Roadmap and leadership in ExporTech™.
In partnership with IMEC, Metro Chicago Exports held Illinois’ inaugural ExporTech™ cohort in summer 2016. A second cohort is currently underway. Contact us to see how you can take advantage of this customized coaching opportunity!
Increasing Awareness about International Trade. In 2016 Metro Chicago Exports received the “Edie” award from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and Illinois Economic Development Association for significant contribution to economic development.
Metro Chicago Exports, in partnership with UPS, hosted the region’s first Metro Chicago XPORT Challenge pitch competition on October 20th at Chase Tower and awarded nearly $30,000 in prizes to 10 finalists making their pitch for going global.
About Us
Metro Chicago Exports was launched in 2014 as a collaboration between seven counties in Northeastern Illinois (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will) and the City of Chicago to increase exports from small and medium-sized companies and support regional job growth.
Contact us today to see how Metro Chicago Exports can help your business with your export challenges!
Contacts:
Tom Hulseman
Managing Director
312.589.5789
thulseman@metrochicagoexports.com
Lisa Reijula
Program Manager
312.589.5773
lreijula@metrochicagoexports.com
Follow Us!
Twitter: @ChicagoExports
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metro-chicago-exports
