Interview with Eugene Laney, President and CEO of the American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI). The AAEI represents an international community of trade compliance professionals responsible for complying with and influencing the laws — both domestic and global — that govern the export and import of goods. Key Takeaways:

• AAEI was established to help U.S. companies grow globally.
• Three common challenges of AAEI members when either exporting or importing include market access, regulatory compliance, and trade facilitation/logistics.
• Membership includes Fortune 500 companies and SMEs.
• Benchmarking is a key membership benefit.

Interview with Andrew Greenfield, Senior Counsel of Fragomen. With more than 6,000 immigration-focused professionals and staff spanning more than 60 offices worldwide, immigration has been Fragomen's sole focus for 70 years. Key Takeaways:

• Fragomen specializes in global immigration needs for employers and serves a wide range of clients from startups to multinationals.
• Immigration adjudications can be inconsistent based on administration.
• Work permits can typically be approved in 6 to 10 weeks.
• Fragomen collaborates with other service providers for client success.

Interview with Joanne Farquharson, CEO of Foothold America. With a dedicated team of experts, Foothold America provides the tools and resources to make U.S. expansion easy and hassle-free and supports your business journey with turn-key and bespoke solutions catered to your business needs. They recognize that not “one size fits all” and evaluate the key variables of your business to further your growth and success. Key Takeaways:

• Foothold America supports companies in U.S. market entry.
• Engagement can range from one-time services to long-term partnerships.
• Understanding the U.S. market dynamics is crucial for success.
• Legal and regulatory compliance is a top priority for companies entering the U.S.

Interview with Doug Baker, Vice President of Industry Relations at FMI - The Food Industry Association, for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SelectUSA Investment Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ spotlight series. As the food industry association, FMI works with and on behalf of the entire industry to advance a safer, healthier and more efficient consumer food supply chain. Representatives from FMI will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

• FMI provides members with advocacy; food safety training and resources; and collaboration and community.
• Startups face challenges in gaining visibility in a crowded market.
• FMI fosters innovation through initiatives like the Tech Pitch Competition.

Interview with Lisa Pettigrew, CEO and Founder of CRO Syndicate, for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SelectUSA Investment Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ spotlight series. CRO Syndicate provides seasoned interim executives to exponentially grow your company’s revenue through strategic, collaborative, and  pragmatic real-world solutions. Representatives from CRO Syndicate will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

• CRO Syndicate is passionate about helping companies grow their sales.
• It takes three things to be a great sales leader - a playbook, the ability to motivate, and being data driven - and CRO Syndicate can help companies achieve these.
• No matter the size company, there are three or four key things needed when going to market in the U.S. - a finance person, investors, legal and regulatory advice and guidance, and someone who helps with sales.

Interview with Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez, Secretary of State of Delaware, for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SelectUSA Investment Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ spotlight series. As Secretary of State, Charuni leads the most diverse department with responsibilities in virtually every aspect of Delaware state government. The Secretary serves on the Board of Pardons, the Cash Management Policy Board, the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council (DEFAC), and the Port of Wilmington. Representatives from Delaware will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

• Delaware's Department of State promotes economic development.
• Delaware is home to two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies.
• The Delaware Prosperity Partnership assists companies in navigating the market.
• Key industries in the state include life sciences, fintech, and agriculture.
• The state provides various incentives for new businesses.

Interview with Tracey Hyatt Bosman, Managing Director of Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Company (BLS & Co.), for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SelectUSA Investment Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ spotlight series. BLS & Co. is one of the largest specialty site selection and incentives advisory consulting firms in North America, helping companies compete and flourish by optimizing location choices. Members of BLS & Co. will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

• BLS specializes in U.S. site selection and incentives.
• U.S. market entry often evolves as companies uncover new information, making flexibility and the ability to pivot essential.
• Other key aspects of U.S. market entry—such as legal, engineering, and accounting—should be launched in parallel with site selection to prevent downstream delays.
• Geography impacts access to labor, suppliers, and markets.

Interview with Anders Victor, Director of Business Development for the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SelectUSA Investment Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ spotlight series. EDPNC improves the economic well-being and quality of life for all North Carolinians by recruiting new businesses to the state, supporting existing employers, assisting companies with international trade, counseling small business and startups, and promoting North Carolina as a tourism destination. Members of EDPNC will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

• EDPNC is a public-private partnership focused on economic development.
• North Carolina's legacy sectors of textile, furniture, and food and agriculture still exist at great scale and accompany life sciences, tech, financial services, and aerospace as strong sectors in the state.
• The state's geography and workforce make it an attractive business location.
• Startups often struggle with understanding the U.S. market landscape, especially where to start.
• EDPNC provides support in navigating incentives and programs.

Interview with Daniel Clark, Vice President and Director of Business Development at New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SelectUSA Investment Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ spotlight series. NYCEDC is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. They take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city's future economy. Members of NYCEDC will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

• Innovative sectors NYCEDC focuses on tend to shift every few years, but currently tech, life sciences, and the green economy are key areas.
• Securing IP protection, navigating regulatory aspects, and cost are common challenges faced by international companies seeking to go to market in the United States.
• There are over 74 business incentives that apply in New York City through all three levels of government.
• SelectUSA Investment Summit is a key event for economic development.

Interview with Bill Noonan, Chief Business Development Officer at Choose New Jersey, for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠SelectUSA Investment Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠ spotlight series. Choose New Jersey is the state's leading non-profit business attraction organization, inspiring businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators to make New Jersey their home. They provide a range of free, confidential resources and tools to assist in location decision, and the team offers personalized guidance at every stage of establishing or expanding operations in New Jersey. Members of Choose New Jersey will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

• The industries largely served in New Jersey are life sciences, technology, food and beverage, manufacturing, logistics, and film and entertainment.
• New Jersey has more PhDs and engineers per capita than any state in the United States, offering one of the most educated workforces in the country.
• With offices around the world, Choose New Jersey is a nonprofit organization focused on economic attraction.
• Startups often underestimate the cost and time required to enter the U.S. market.