This one-day workshop focuses on helping you connect the dots to going global and starting in the emerging region of Africa. There are many organizations and institutions that support SMEs and entrepreneurs to go global and build capacity. However, there aren’t many that focus on helping SMEs understand and employ strategy and practical tactics in a world with constrained budgets.
Lauri Elliott, CEO of Conceptualee, Inc. and Director of Afribiz Media, leads this workshop to share what her strategic partners and she have used to be a growing entrepreneurial venture in emerging markets like Africa. Conceptualee started with nothing to build a global, recognizable brand focused on Africa (Afribiz), as well as ventures on the continent. Now it is helping to cut a path for others to more readily execute opportunities in Africa. Also, Ms. Elliott will be joined by a variety of experts and successful entrepreneurs in Africa.
Come learn from their experience and other entrepreneurs and businesses who have succeeded in navigating the opportunities in Africa!
The workshop objectives are:
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Understand a practical going global path for emerging, new, and existing entrepreneurs.
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Identify key systems, institutions, and networks to tap for going global in Africa.
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Meet and learn from entrepreneurs and experts engaged with business in Africa.
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Discover strategies to enter African markets effectively.
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Network with others interested in doing business in Africa.
Workshop Schedule
| Time | Description |
| 9:00a – 9:10a | Opening and Introductions
Dr. Akin Ogundiran, Chair of Africana Studies Department at UNCC |
| 9:10a – 10:15a | Going Global Strategies
Lauri Elliott, Author of Going Global on a Dime and CEO of Conceptualee, Inc. |
| 10:15a – 10:30a | Break |
| 10:30a – 12:00p | Tapping Key Networks and Organizations
Sipho Mseleku, President of the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry Greg Sizemore, Head of US Export Assistance Center Charlotte Kuldip Wasson, International Business Development Manager, NC Department of Commerce Shelvin Longmire, Chairman of Center for Global Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Management and Contributor to Going Global on a Dime |
| 12:00p – 1:00p | Lunch and Networking |
| 1:00p – 2:30p | Learning Lessons from SMEs/Entrepreneurs in Africa
Troy Pelshak, CEO of Amana Global Services and Former NFL Player Alex Ayalew, Joint International Business Group Nissi Ekpott, President of Tradenet International and Co-Author of Redefining Business in the New Africa |
| 2:30p – 3:00p | Break and Transacting Deals with Africa Discussion (Informal) |
| 3:00p – 3:50p | More Success Strategies for Africa
Hartmut Sieper, CEO of Trans Africa Invest and Co-Author of Redefining Business in the New Africa Nissi Ekpott, President of Tradenet International and Co-Author of Redefining Business in the New Africa Lauri Elliott, Author of Going Global on a Dime and CEO of Conceptualee, Inc. Sipho Mseleku, President of the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
| 3:50p – 4:00p | Close |
Workshop Includes
- Book, “Going Global on a Dime: The Entrepreneur’s Handbook for Tapping the Global Marketplace.”
- Book, “Redefining Business in the New Africa: Shifting Strategies to be Successful” (ebook version)
- Light lunch
- BizconnectAfrika Basic Toolkit
- Networking opportunity with people engaged in business in Africa
Hosted by the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Special sponsorships for faculty and students of local colleges and universities.
For further information, contact us at [email protected] or +1.202.379.2922.
Logistics
Venue: UNCC City Center Campus, 320 E. 9th Street, Charlotte, NC, 28202
Time: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Cost: $50.00 (early-bird registration is $40.00)
For further resources on doing business in Africa, visit www.afribiz.info. To learn about other upcoming Going Global in Africa workshops in North America and Europe, and other Africa events, subscribe to the Afribiz.info newsletter.
