Would you like to expand your business internationally?

Have you had some international inquiries but weren’t sure how to respond?

If you answered ‘Yes’ to either of these questions, please join us April 3 for the Fundamentals of Exporting.

This workshop covers all of the most important topics, skills, and resources needed to become a successful exporter. We will discuss all of the major components of the export process:  international sales and marketing; export logistics and finance (including the all-important topic of making sure you get paid).

Additionally, we will identify state and federal resources available to you – many of which are free of charge or very low cost. Join us for this informative, interactive workshop on how to build your international sales.

Speakers include:

• Kathleen Kinahan-Newell, Trade Compliance Manager – Massachusetts Export Center
• Paula Murphy, Director – Massachusetts Export Center

Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Time: Registration 5:30 p.m.; Program 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Boston Public Library 700 Boylston Street, Conference Rooms 5/6 (concourse level), Boston (directions)
Cost: No charge, but preregistration is required
Contact: Register online If you have questions, contact the Massachusetts Export Center at 617-973-8664.

The  Medical Device Industry in Massachusetts 2013 video

According to the Deloitte study, The Medical Device Industry in Massachusetts, presented at the Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council 15th Annual Conference, May 3, 2011:

• Massachusetts is home to more than 400 medical device companies, with surgical and medical instrument manufacturers leading the pack
• The BayState is the second largest employer of people in the medical device industry behind only California, employing 24,268 within seven medical device manufacturing categories. Furthermore, the Massachusetts medical device industry is responsible for creating more than 80,000 jobs in related industries in the state.
• While heavily concentrated in Eastern Massachusetts, medical device firms are present in almost all regions of the state
• Massachusetts medical device firms received $286 million, or 12 percent of national medical device venture funds in 2010
• Over the past decade,Massachusetts medical device exports have been growing at more than twice the rate of the state’s exports as a whole
• Medical devices are more than 10 percent of the state’s total exports and represent $1 out of every $10 of U.S. medical device exports

According to the National Retail Federation’s Easter spending survey, conducted by BIGinsight, Americans will spend an average of $145.28 on everything from apparel and candy to food and decorations this year, up 11 percent from $131.04 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $16.8 billion.

Click here to read the entire survey

Runners in Costume courtesy of boston.com

According to the Boston Athletic Association, the Boston Marathon brings in an estimated $137.5 million to the Greater Boston economy during race week. The 2012 Boston Marathon was second only to the 100th anniversary race in economic impact and number of runners. In 1996 there were 38,708 runners and spending impact reached $172 million.

The estimated $137.5 million in spending impact will be generated from the following categories:

• Total spending by 26,700 runners and their guests, including spending at John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo = $92.4 million
• Total spending by spectators = $12 million
• Total spending by the Boston Athletic Association = $7 million
• Charity Fundraising events by marathon runners = $16 million
• Total sponsors & media Marathon-related spending = $10.1 million

TOTAL $137.5 million

Read more »

Will you be spending some green tomorrow? According to the National Retail Federation, “the average person will spend $35.27 on green attire, décor for their home and office, and festive food and drinks. Total spending is expected to grow to $4.7 billion.”

Download the complete survey.

Have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!