USMCA – Key Issues for U.S. Businesses

VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COUNCIL, INC.

Enabling International Trade Success Since 1948™

Join us for our September 26th luncheon program:

USMCA - Key Issues for U.S. Businesses

U.S. Dept. of Commerce’s Deputy Asst. Secretary for the Western Hemisphere Rich Steffens will speak on the status of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the importance of the trilateral trading relationship. This is a “must attend” event for parties who currently transact with Canada and Mexico or are considering entering into business partnerships in those countries.

Do not miss this opportunity for an important and timely presentation on the state of the U.S.’s trade relationship with our North American partners Mexico and Canada.

There will be an opportunity to dialogue with Mr. Steffens following the presentation.

Guest Speaker:

Rich Steffens, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere, U.S. Dept. of Commerce

Details for the September VAIBC Event:

When:  Thursday, September 26th, 2019

11:45am - 12:00pm:  Registration & networking

12:00pm -   1:30pm:  Luncheon meeting and program

Venue: Omni Richmond: 100 S. 12th St, Richmond, VA, 23219

[parking garage entrance is on Cary St.]

Cost: Early registration [by September 16, 2019]: $25.00 for VAIBC members, $35.00 for non-members 

Registration after September 16, 2019: $35 members, $45.00 non-members

Register online:  www.vaibc.org

About the speaker:

Richard (Rich) Steffens - As Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere, Mr. Steffens is responsible for the work of 230 staff in 20 countries on trade and investment promotion and economic development.  Prior to this assignment, he served in the Office of the Secretary of Commerce, as Minister-Counselor in U.S. Embassy Canada, as commercial attaché in Moscow, as consul in Vladivostok in the Russian Far East, as senior commercial officer in Prague, and as commercial counselor in Ukraine.  His offices in Vladivostok, Prague, and Ukraine were all named International Trade Administration Organizations of the Year under his leadership.  He has been awarded the Commerce Department Gold Medal, Silver Medal, and Bronze Medal (two times).

Prior to joining the Commerce Department, Mr. Steffens served as Assistant Director for Venture Development with the New Jersey Commission for Science and Technology and as Assistant Director of Research at the Fels Center of Government at the University of Pennsylvania.  He began his career with Andersen Consulting in New York.

Mr. Steffens is a graduate of the Wharton School and holds a Masters in Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania.  He is author of The Changing Software Market and Secrets of a Venture Capitalist, as well as more than 50 articles on international trade and economic development.  He speaks French, Russian, Ukrainian, Spanish, and Czech.  He enjoys creative writing, hiking, and martial arts. He is married and has two children. 

Established in 1948, The Virginia International Business Council, Inc. (VAIBC™) has had a distinguished history as a membership organization serving businesses engaged in or pursuing international trade and the wide range of professionals in the public and private sector that facilitate and enable international trade. Monthly luncheon programs provide networking and educational opportunities vital to success.  We also periodically conduct special workshops featuring experts in the field on topics we believe to be especially timely and vital to our members, as well as several annual special events, which have historically included our December holiday party and spring golf outing.  We actively support other Virginia trade organizations and events, and provide scholarships and other outreach to Virginia colleges and universities.