Entrepreneurs and business owners from southern Colorado received valuable information about navigating the international export process at a business workshop last night in Colorado Springs, hosted by the office of U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. Local partners included the Bachelor of Innovation Program at UCCS, the Colorado Springs Small Business Development Center, the Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance, the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council, the UCCS El Pomar Institute for Innovation and Commercialization (EPIIC), and the Colorado Bar Association Intellectual Property Section.

The workshop, entitled “Beyond Colorado: How to Bring Your Products and Services to the Global Marketplace,” was designed for Colorado businesses looking to expand internationally.

“We’re seeing a growth of export opportunities nationally, and Colorado businesses are well-positioned to take advantage of that trend,” Bennet said. “These workshops are designed to help businesses in our state become aware of the tools available to them throughout this process.”

“This workshop gave me a wealth of resources and contacts,” Jimmy Clem of Long Rider Industrial Sales said.

The event featured panelists from the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and World Trade Center Denver. Experts provided information on state and federal resources available for entrepreneurs, ranchers, farmers, and business owners looking to expand internationally, as well as advice on protecting intellectual property.

The workshop was the second in a series planned throughout the state. Future “Beyond Colorado” workshops are planned for Pueblo (January 30), Grand Junction (February 20), Denver (February/March), and Durango (April). For more information, and to RSVP for an upcoming workshop, please visit https://www.bennet.senate.gov/beyondcolorado.