• Introduction
• 2007 NASBITE International Conference - Vancouver
• China IPR Seminar
• HR & the Hispanic/Latino Associate Seminar
• Wood Packaging Seminar/Video Conference
• International Accounting Symposium
• CE Mark Video Conference

China IPR Seminar: Selling Your Products in China

China has headlined world news in recent months as its “sleeping dragon” economy has awakened to the vibrating buzz of globalization. To keep the Tri-State business community current with trends and best practices of international trade, the Institute for Global Enterprise in Indiana, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Indiana), and the Tri-State World Trade Council sponsored “China IPR: Selling Your Products to China” on August 17, 2006.

A number of experts convened at the University of Evansville’s Dunigan Hall as seminar presenters:

• Ms. Lisa Rigoli, IPR International Trade Specialist; Chinese Economic Area - U.S. Department of Commerce - Washington, DC
• Provided an overview of IPR protection methods U.S. firms can implement domestically and abroad.

• Ms. Angela Castille, Esq., partner at Baker & Daniels (one of only 30 U.S. law firms licensed by the Chinese Ministry of Justice to open/operate a firm in China)
• Discussed the navigation of the region’s legal environment; she also highlighted the risks involved with contract manufacturing and licensing while providing insight to effective distribution techniques.

• Keynote Speaker: Oded Shenkar, PhD, Ford Motor Company Professor of International Business at the Ohio State University. Dr. Shenkar authored The Chinese Century: The Rising Chinese Economy and Its Impact on the Global Economy, the Balance of Power, and Your Job

The Business Roundtable segment featured local executives with active operations in China. The panelists included Mike Sergesketter, CFO of Kimball Electronics Group; Barney Lewis, Marketing Manager – Interactive Control Products of Hurco Companies Inc.; and Kevin Ferguson of Gibbs, Inc. Each executive painted a candid picture of their China business ventures and shared their “lessons learned” and current status of their Chinese operational development.

A sample of companies represented at the seminar included Berry Plastics, Red Spot Paint & Varnish, Inc., Best Home Furnishings, Kimball Electronics Group, Hansen Motors, and Mohler Technology, Inc. Click here to read local news story

“ China IPR: Selling Your Products to China” is a component of Project Tri-State Global Enterprise – ASIA; a Business and International Education initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Education.