Rochester, N.Y. — Foreign-trade agreements remain a hot topic in the 2016 presidential election, but one thing is widely agreed upon: With 95 percent of the world’s consumers outside U.S. borders, international trade presents an immense opportunity to grow American companies. 

To help even more regional companies enter foreign markets, Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE) invites business leaders to attend its 2016 Upstate N.Y. Trade Conference, presented by Wells Fargo, on Friday, June 10. Attendees will gain access to expert counsel on the local impact of globalization, opportunities in emerging markets, state and federal international business support programs, international marketing, foreign-trade zones, export compliance and trade finance.

“When area companies export goods to foreign markets, it ensures more upstate-made products are sold around the world, while driving job creation here at home,” GRE President & CEO Mark S. Peterson said. “That’s why we’re encouraging business executives to attend our Upstate N.Y. Trade Conference. They’ll gain access to resources and expertise to grow their companies beyond U.S. borders.”

At the conference, Jay Bryson, managing director and global economist at Wells Fargo Securities, will deliver insights into the trajectory of the world’s major economies during his keynote address, titled “The Global Economic Outlook.”

As a nationally recognized expert on the global economy, Bryson is regularly quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and USA Today. He also frequently appears on CBNC and Bloomberg TV.

Registration is now open for the conference, which is scheduled for June 10, 2016, in Rochester, New York. As the only conference of its kind in New York state, it typically attracts over 250 business executives who are involved in international trade.

In addition to Bryson’s address, various panel discussions and breakout sessions will be tailored to meet the needs of growing industries. Other keynote presentations include:

• “Making It Everywhere” — Mike Fernandez, corporate vice president at Cargill Inc., one of the world’s largest food and agriculture companies, will share perspectives on the challenges inherent in trying to grow globally and the transformational global-trade opportunities on the horizon.    
• “The Local Impact of Globalization” — a panel discussion with leaders of key regional firms that have achieved international success. Executives at Klein Steel Service and Navitar will outline the positive effects of globalized markets on upstate firms.

For more information on the Upstate N.Y. Trade Conference and to register, please visit www.rochesterbiz.com/events.