North Texas District Export Council
Annual Plan

Mission Statement: The District Export Councils contribute leadership and international trade expertise to complement the U.S. Commercial Service's export promotion efforts through counseling businesses on the exporting process and conducting trade education and community outreach.

The primary objectives of the NTDEC are to educate the community about free trade and its benefits and include 'how to' education to promote exports by companies in our area; the Council also lobbies state and federal legislatures to promote issues that can have a positive affect regarding international trade for the North Texas region. The NTDEC works specifically with the North Texas U.S. Export Assistance Center to accomplish our goals.

Education Committee - Shirley Heald - Chair

Round Table - Education forum for exporters sponsored by the NTDEC and managed by Elizabeth Harris (Associate DEC member) with the International Trade Development Center with DEC members serving as presenters of topics and participants to engender questions and answers to issues and topics. Members involved: A. Cook, M. Hinsey, B. Huddleston, L. Johnson, M. Kramer, D. Marlow, B. Morris, W. Neal, J. Sambrosky, R. Schulze, D. Swart, W. Walser, A.J. Wichita, F.Waldkoetter. Meet monthly except summer with E. Harris developing programs and providing write-ups to summarize discussions.

Goal: Education, build on tremendous success of this program.

Global Market Series - Series of eight seminars on topics needed for exporters to be successful given twice annually. Sponsored by the NTDEC and managed by Elizabeth Harris (Associate DEC member) with the International Trade Development Center. DEC members serve as presenters. Members involved: L. Johnson, W. Neal, J. Sambrosky, B. Stoner, R. Schulze, W. Walser, A.J. Wichita, F. Waldkoetter.

Goal: Education, which includes education for new to export companies, continue to build on success and where possible expand member involvement.

Texas Exporters Resource Guide - NTDEC will work with the Texas Camino Real DEC in publishing the 2nd edition of this resource guide which identifies state and federal resources for international expansion for small businesses. Shirley Heald, Ruben Esquivel .... will work on this special project.

Goal: Find sponsors and get published.

Export Fellows - NTDEC will initiate this program developed by the Texas Camino Real DEC. This is a program to introduce export marketing principles and practices from experienced exporters to prospective or early stage exporters.

Goal: Initiate program at one college within the next year.

Export Services Program - University Students from Abroad- Provide assistance to Greg Thompson at USDOC in developing and marketing program to local Universities to generate foreign student attendance at Texas universities.

Goal: Solicit schools and develop marketing program as requested by USDOC.

Outreach Committee - Co-Chairs - William Neal and Joe Sambrosky

Magazine Articles and Op Ed Pieces - Articles written to introduce our area to who the DEC is and what it does, plus articles supporting free trade and other issues related to trade. Members involved include Wanda Walser and Shirley Heald.

Goal: Write 2 articles and op ed pieces that are published.

Web Site Development - The NTDEC will work with other two Texas DECs to upgrade our website.

Goal: Identify content and design and become operational.

Counseling - Each member will recognize DECs in their business outreach efforts, optional to use new DEC business cards, referrals from USDOC personnel or website and to include diversity and rural outreach efforts.

Goal: One DEC program with diverse entities and two programs in rural communities. Each member should counsel as requested by USDOC personnel.

Legislative Committee

Congressional Visits - Visit to Congressional Offices - with USDOC staff to introduce DECs as a resource.

Goal: Each member should visit his/her congressional office.

State Issues - Join with other Texas DECs to review issues of concern that we feel the State Legislature should consider.

Goal: Develop issues for the next legislative session.

SBA Funding for Finance Representative housed within the USEAC - Promote passage of needed appropriations to maintain this position within the USEAC.

Goal: Each member should write letters to congressional delegate to support this issue. Visits will also be made to Senator Hutchison. NTDEC will present issue at National Conference and the other DECs and other organizations have been solicited to support this issue.