In the Słupsk Technology Incubator, a business seminar: Discover and expand your business in America! was held on September 25, 2018. Entrepreneurs interested in exporting, investing and supporting business partners in the United States of America could meet a number of experts and practitioners in one place.
The event was organized by the Pomeranian Voivodeship Self-government Companies: Pomeranian Regional Development Agency S.A. from Słupsk in cooperation with Agencja Rozwoju Pomorza S.A. from Gdansk. The honorary patronage over the event was taken by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency S.A. and Mr Mieczysław Struk, Marshal of the Pomorskie Voivodeship. The Alumni Association was a partner of this event.
Many entities supporting Polish companies in the USA were invited to participate in the meeting, whose representatives talked about business opportunities, both in terms of investment, exports and support in the search and matching of business partners.
The event was solemnly opened by Mrs Sonnet Frisbie, Secretary of Trade and Investment from the Economic Section of the US Embassy in Warsaw, who familiarized participants with the history and current Polish-American business relations. Ms Barbara Grabowska from the Commercial Counsel Office talked about the government program Select USA, which is addressed to companies considering starting investment in the United States. Participants of the meeting could get acquainted with the business opportunities available in Pennsylvania, which was presented by Mr David Moock from Pennsylvania Investment Office Europe. Peter Święcicki from the law firm Squire Patton Boggs discussed the most important legal aspects. The cultural differences affecting Polish-American business relations were spoken by Professor Anita Frankowiak, director and owner of the Institute of Diplomacy. Karolina Wawrzyniak from the Polish Investment and Trade Agency presented, among others, activities of Foreign Trade Offices run by PAIH. In turn, Łukasz Narloch from Pomerania Development Agency S.A. presented the Pomeranian Export Broker project. The seminar speakers were also joined by the Polish-American North-East Chamber of Commerce, represented by Ms. Sabina Klimek, the Polish-American Trade Council, represented by Mr. Mariusz Tomaka. Representatives of these organizations shared their experiences that may be helpful in entering the US market.
To sum up the discussion panel, all the panelists unanimously stated that once a given company adjusts to the requirements and realities of the American market, it will definitely succeed. However, entrepreneurs must remember to be “prepared for the success” in order to be able to quickly execute a large order.
The culmination of the seminar was a festive lunch, where participants had the opportunity to taste American cuisine.