SEA Change Country Focus: Thailand Live Virtual Webinar

Taking the Mystery out of Export Success in Thailand Thailand has long been considered a mysterious land of adventure worthy of an exotic vacation of a lifetime. This perception may feed into companies’ hesitancy to prioritize it as an export destination for their products and services. However, in reality, Thailand is a well-established trade partner where people are familiar with and value quality U.S. products and services. According to the U.S. Commercial Service, the United States is Thailand’s top source of exports, and it is our 25th largest export destination. This webinar will take the mystery out of Thailand and provide you with the information you need to succeed in this rapidly modernizing economy. First, we will hear from the US Commercial Service post at our embassy in Bangkok to provide on-the-ground updates and information on available resources. Next, the owner of a company that has been successfully conducting business in Thailand for over forty years will share insights and strategies for successfully selling to Thais. The SEA Change Project The Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at Bradley University (ITC) has been awarded a U.S. Department of Education BIE grant for our SEA Change project to assist companies with increasing exports to Southeast Asia (SEA). As part of this effort, the ITC has brought together trade specialists, subject matter experts and consultants from around the country and across Asia to present a webinar series on this dynamic region. The U.S. Administration is currently signaling a pivot to Asia to increase cooperation and trade, particularly in Southeast Asia. Moreover, countries, companies and even consumers are looking for alternatives to China due to supply chain issues and ongoing trade disputes, making the region even more crucial to businesses’ international success. Our Speakers: Lisa Foss, Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand, U.S. Foreign Commercial Service, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce Lisa Foss began her assignment at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, in January 2021. Lisa joined Global Markets after serving as a Senior Policy Analyst at the Department of Commerce as part of Enforcement and Compliance (E&C), for over twenty years. While in E&C, Lisa provided guidance to U.S. companies and industry associations facing foreign antidumping and safeguard investigations. She also led efforts to raise U.S. Government concerns with these proceedings to foreign investigating authorities. During her time in E&C, Lisa worked with several foreign governments to promote best practices and increase transparency in the application of trade laws. Lisa has received several Department of Commerce awards including two Gold Medals, the highest civilian award given by the Department, for outstanding achievement in federal service. Lisa has a Master of Arts in European Studies from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and German Studies from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. Post-graduate work has included a Certificate in Global Negotiations from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. Jacob Cluver,CEO, Ag World Int'l Corp, Bloomington IL Jacob Cluver is the CEO of Ag World Int'l Corp in Bloomington IL. For more than 40 years, Ag World has been exporting high quality swine, beef and dairy cattle, sheep and goats to breeders in 100 countries on six continents. As exclusive Powder River and Renco distributors, Ag World also provides customers with access to top of the line livestock testing and handling equipment. In addition to managing a number of ventures offering products and services related to livestock breeding, Jake has provided consulting services through Cluver International Trade Services since 2009, focusing on risk management, marine insurance and marketing services for international trade. Jake has a BS degree in Business Administration and Management from Iowa State University. Ag World has been awarded the prestigious President's E-Award, the highest recognition a U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. The company also received the Governor’s Agricultural Business Exporter of the Year award. At the 2020 Mid-America Trade Summit, Jacob was recognized as an Outstanding Exporter Honoree. He explains, “My family has been doing business in Thailand since the early 80s. I made my first trip to Thailand in 1985. There is a definite learning curve when it comes to doing business in Thailand. However, once you become familiar with the culture and business environment, it can be incredibly rewarding. Thailand has been a steady market for Ag World for over 40 years.”