This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Business people interested in exporting goods anywhere in the world will be gathering Wednesday at the Salt Palace Convention Center for the Utah Global Forum.
The daylong event will provide participants with background knowledge designed to help them sell their products in foreign countries and to meet Gov. Gary Herbert's goal of increasing the value of Utah's exports to $9 billion by the end of 2015.
"The business of exporters grows faster than the business of non-exporters," the governor said in promotional materials for the forum, co-sponsored by the Governor's Office of Economic Development, World Trade Center Utah and the Salt Lake Chamber.
"Ninety-five percent of your customers are outside America," he added. "Start planning to sell abroad."
An array of speakers have been lined up for the event, which starts at 9 a.m.
For instance, Paul Campbell of Logan-based Campbell Scientific will describe his company's success in selling data-tracking instruments around the world for vehicle-performance testing and monitoring a variety of things, from air quality to dam and bridge structural soundness.
Craig Allen, deputy assistant secretary of commerce for China, will discuss why that country is important to Utah businesses while Tarek Mango will explain the intricacies of gaining exposure to 355 million potential customers in the Middle East and North Africa.
Connor Duffy of Wells Fargo Global Banking will explain the risks companies face when engaging in global trade and measures they can take to minimize those risks.
Closing speaker Arun Kumar, assistant secretary of commerce for global markets and director general of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, will address ways in which companies can create a "blueprint for collaboration in a worldwide marketplace."