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New International Trade Specialist Joins Local Small Business Development Center

 

The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County Economic Development Corporation has hired Kathie Cravens as its International Trade Specialist for the new International Trade Center, a partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Cravens was the top candidate following a search and comprehensive evaluation that included the SBDC, Champaign County EDC, University of Illinois, and DCEO.

Ms. Cravens, a seasoned International Trade Specialist with years of exporting experience, has traveled and lived abroad, worked closely with numerous international dealers and distributors, and has attended several international trade shows. She has advised small to medium sized companies on their export practices and has been directly involved with exporting numerous shipments of U.S. manufactured goods to every continent around the world. “I’m excited about the opportunity to assist Central Illinois companies with their expansion into the international market in an effort to expand international trade opportunities in the region and create new jobs,” stated Cravens.

She will provide in-depth advice on international trade techniques, export processes, and international market opportunities to local companies. In addition, she will provide research support for new markets and products and referral assistance for export related activities, licensing, certification, legal and financial consultation, logistics and customs issues.

“We are excited that a professional with significant international experience has joined our team,” said Greg Gonda, Director of the Small Business Development Center. “Her expertise will be an asset in expanding the array of services we offer and assisting companies with their expansion into foreign markets.” Cravens joins Gonda and Tim Montague as the third staff member.

To contact Ms. Cravens and learn more about the International Trade Center, please contact her at 217-378-8535 or kathie@champaigncountyedc.org.

Anheuser-Busch InBev Unveils ‘Bud Lab’ at the University of Illinois Research Park

Article Source: UI Research Park

LEUVEN, BELGIUM – August 30, 2013 – AB InBev, the leading global brewer has announced a partnership with the University of Illinois, and will open the Bud Lab, a state of the art data analytics center, at the University of Illinois Research Park at the beginning of next month.

The Bud Lab will focus on data analytics, developing data research and innovation to solve problems ranging from assortment optimization, social media and market trends to large scale data initiatives, bringing together the University of Illinois’ top talent with the company’s portfolio of leading beer brands in a vibrant environment designed to stimulate innovative thinking.

“Our dream is to be the Best Beer Company in a Better World.  To achieve our dream we need to constantly innovate and attract the best talent, and our collaboration with the University of Illinois provides a tremendous opportunity to work with the best and brightest in the field,” said Claudio Garcia, Chief People and Technology Officer for AB InBev. “Through our permanent presence on-campus we will be at the edge of leading research and innovation, working together with some of the best minds in key fields including statistics, computer science, business and engineering. We strongly believe that our collaboration will put forth new and exciting solutions and insights, and we look forward to working closely with the team here.”

Rafael Pinterich will serve as the Director of the Bud Lab, and will focus on selecting and implementing experimental projects.  Prior to joining the collaboration with University of Illinois initiative, Rafael served several different roles within AB InBev such as Project Specialist, Regional Finance Manager and People & HR Lead for Latin America North. In his role as director, Rafael will focus on selecting and implementing experimental projects. He will also be working closely with students, guiding their work and providing them with experiences that will complement university knowledge.

Through the Bud Lab, AB InBev will provide students the opportunity to enhance their University of Illinois education with real-life projects addressing key global product challenges. The University of Illinois has a long and distinguished history in data systems, artificial intelligence, systems and networking, architecture and parallel computing, which make a strong partnership for AB InBev to pursue applications in analytics from data-intensive researches to support a data-driven world.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Phyllis Wise said, “As a truly global institution, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is pleased to welcome AB InBev, a world leader in consumer products, to our Research Park. We have a long tradition of international relationships and collaborations, one that is further advanced with this new analytics lab. We are excited about the new research and learning opportunities this partnership will create for our students and faculty and about the new insights around global products and international business that will follow.”

More press coverage:

– Photos from Grand Opening of Bud Lab, Champaign County EDC Facebook Page

EDC Open Position: International Trade Specialist

Illinois SBDC

The Illinois Small Business Development Center at the Champaign County EDC is seeking to hire an International Trade Specialist for the new International Trade Center who will provide in-depth advice on international trade techniques, export processes, and international market opportunities to companies. Other duties include: conducting market research, evaluating export capabilities and readiness of local companies, and maintaining working relationships with government bodies.

Requirements: BA or BS degree in Business Administration, International Business or related field; 2-3 years of experience in an international trade business; knowledge of or experience in international trade activities; and excellent communication skills. Foreign language skills are preferred.

Full Job Description

To ensure full consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume to amy@champaigncountyedc.org by Monday, August 5, 2013.

 The Champaign County EDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

New International Trade Center Expected to Increase Global Trade for Region

ITC Logo

CHAMPAIGN, IL, July 12, 2013 – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the Illinois Small Business Development Center at the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation are pleased to announce the opening of a new International Trade Center (ITC). The ITC will be housed in the offices of the Champaign County EDC – located at 1817 S. Neil Street, Suite 100, Champaign – and will serve to support efforts to expand international trade opportunities in the region.

“This international trade partnership will enable businesses to easily access the University of Illinois’ unique expertise as a world leader in research and teaching, which is further distinguished by the breadth of our programs, broad academic excellence, and internationally renowned faculty,” said Pradeep Khanna, Associate Chancellor for Corporate and International Relations.

The ITC will serve as the single point of contact for information related to international business, leveraging the existing resources and partnerships in the Champaign County region and beyond. The ITC will provide businesses with a complete range of services to support the process of international trade including the following: evaluating the company’s readiness to export, examining access to foreign market information, and assisting with documentation assistance, automated trade leads, and linkages with trade representatives.

In addition to helping businesses already involved in international trade, the ITC will provide research support for new markets and products and referral assistance for export related activities, licensing, certification, legal and financial consultation, logistics and customs issues.

“We are excited to partner with DCEO and the University of Illinois to help our area businesses further expand into foreign markets,” said Greg Gonda, Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at the Champaign County EDC. “This new partnership represents Illinois’ mission to be a significant player in the global marketplace and we will look forward to working together to ensure that success.”

For more information about the International Trade Center, please visit www.champaigncountyedc.org or email itc@champaigncountyedc.org.

Contact:

Carly McCrory, Communications Director
Champaign County Economic Development Corporation
(217) 359-6261
carly@champaigncountyedc.org
www.champaigncountyedc.org

Meeting Notice: Small Business Development Center Advisory Board

The Illinois Small Business Development Center Advisory Board will have their initial meeting on Friday, July 12th at 9 am at the Champaign County EDC office.

SBDC Advisory Board Meeting Notice: 7-12-13

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