Permanent link for Business Beyond Borders: Navigating Global Disruptions and Opportunities on March 21, 2025

As the world changes at an unprecedented pace, businesses must adapt quickly to stay competitive. Global trade dynamics are constantly evolving, driven by rapid advancements in technology and shifting market landscapes. That is why Michigan World Trade Week’s 39^th International Business Conference, Business Beyond Borders , comes at the perfect time.

Set against the backdrop of today’s most pressing global challenges and opportunities, this year’s event will bring together industry leaders, trade experts, and business professionals to explore the forces shaping international commerce. From securing deals in Europe and protecting intellectual property abroad to harnessing AI for growth, the conference will provide attendees with insights they need to compete–and succeed in global markets. Check out the details of the featured conference topics below!

Building Stronger Relationships in a Distributed Work Environment

As technology allows organizations to hire talent, build partnerships, and engage customers worldwide, leaders are finding new ways to effectively manage relationships across distances. Ryan Anderson, Vice President of Global Research and Planning at MillerKnoll, will deliver a keynote on Managing Relationships in a Distributed Work Environment. In his Forbes article, Ryan discusses how remote global employees and hybrid work policies have made teams more distributed. During his Business Beyond Borders keynote session, Ryan will delve into the dynamics of distributed work, highlighting the need to balance in-person and virtual interactions to build strong relationships and drive international success.

AI: A Game Changer for Global Business

This year’s conference will explore how artificial intelligence is disrupting industries, reshaping global trade, and influencing business strategy. AI’s impact can already be seen in boardrooms and manufacturing floors alike. McKinsey recently estimated that generative AI could add between $2.6 trillion and $4.4 trillion to the global economy annually. At the conference, breakout sessions like AI and Its Impact on the Global Economy and AI-Powered Digital Marketing and Sales will offer deeper insights into leveraging AI and provide practical tools to grow their global business.

The Ever-Shifting Global Trade Landscape

The international business environment is constantly evolving. The Global Trade Updates session will inform attendees about current customs regulations to offer guidance on how to best adapt to the needs of their global customers and suppliers.

Breaking into New Markets: Europe & India

To compete with China, businesses are looking to diversify their global reach. Europe and India have emerged as two of the most promising markets for expansion.

Europe’s financial markets have shown resilience despite economic fluctuations, and strategic fiscal measures have provided stability. Meanwhile, India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2037. For businesses considering these regions, the right market entry strategy can mean the difference between success and costly missteps.

The conference will offer two dedicated sessions—Market Entry Strategies for Europe and Market Entry Strategies for India—to provide practical guidance on how to navigate these fast-growing economies.

Winning the Deal: Global Negotiation & Sales Contracts

Business deals don’t just happen—they are carefully negotiated, often across cultures, time zones, and legal frameworks. Understanding negotiation tactics tailored to global transactions can be the difference between a successful partnership and a lost opportunity.

Similarly, securing an international sales contract isn’t just about what’s in the fine print—it’s about ensuring enforceability across borders. Attendees will get expert guidance on these topics in sessions like Negotiation Tactics for Global Deals and The DOs and DON'Ts of International Sales Contracts.

The Quest for Talent: Managing Global Workforce Challenges

With businesses expanding into new markets, the need for global talent has never been greater. Yet, industries worldwide are struggling to fill critical roles.

The Managing Global Talent Shortages panel speakers will share their experiences with leadership development, succession planning, and navigating talent challenges during mergers and acquisitions. Attendees will hear about lessons learned from integrating teams across different cultures and geographies.

Protecting Innovation: The Rise of AI & Intellectual Property Challenges

Innovation is a company’s greatest asset but protecting it across multiple jurisdictions can be challenging. The session on Protecting Intellectual Property Abroad will cover how businesses can leverage their assets while providing strategies to safeguard their intellectual property in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Why This Conference Matters Now

The Michigan World Trade Week  Business Beyond Borders conference isn’t just another industry event—it’s a roadmap for businesses looking to navigate uncertainty, seize new opportunities, and thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

From AI to global trade shifts, talent shortages to new market strategies, the insights shared at this conference will help businesses position themselves for long-term success.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the conversation in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 7, 2025. Register today and take your business beyond borders!

Categories: Export Global Consumer Supply Chain Trends
Posted on Permanent link for Business Beyond Borders: Navigating Global Disruptions and Opportunities on March 21, 2025.

Permanent link for The Future of Global Supply Chain on April 26, 2022

by Jenna Hoover

From toilet paper to semiconductors, the United States has experienced shortages on many different fronts. The damage that the global pandemic (COVID-19) has caused to the global supply chain will have long-term effects, but not all of the effects are detrimental. Supply chain opportunities following the pandemic include:

Resiliency:

Supply chain resiliency is becoming increasingly important as supply chain risks continue to rise. Short-term delays are expected, according to experts, due to issues with cargo ships, workforce shortages, and supply and demand imbalances. According to a survey conducted by the Wall Street Journal, roughly 45 percent of economists anticipate that improvement of bottlenecks will not occur until the second half of 2022. Companies will need to rebalance on-shore, near-shore, and off-shore manufacturing operations to boost resiliency across all global supply chains. They'll have to maintain and further develop alternate sourcing tactics to reduce reliance on specific suppliers in low-cost locations, as they have for the past two years.

Inventory optimization tactics will continue to be important, assisting decision-makers in identifying vital materials, intermediates, and products, as well as determining how much and where they should be stored across the supply chain. Suppliers, logistics service providers, contract manufacturers, and other essential trading partners will also require improved coordination and visibility.

Technology:

Machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) will employ amounts of the Internet - of - things and social media data from people, devices, assets, products, and vehicles across the supply chain to automate decision-making in Industry 4.0, which is projected to ramp up in 2022. Predictive analytics, on the other hand, will enable employees to make better educated, critical decisions while also developing new business models.

Industry 4.0 has a lot to offer enterprises that have invested in these technologies, from industrial automation with 5G, improved connectivity, and enhanced AI technologies to intelligent sensors and assets across the supply chain. The focus on enterprises implementing Industry 4.0 within their factories, across the supply chain of smart assets, and into the hands of the customer base will intensify in the coming year.

Specific to the U.S.:

Some U.S. companies are considering relocating manufacturing back to the United States or relocating (near-shoring) manufacturing to northern Mexico. There have been years of dependence on Asian factories, in which the freight rates have exponentially increased, as well as back-ups at ports, and the most current problem - not being able to obtain shipping capacity at all. So, companies are strongly considering moving the production closer to their customers:

• General Motors; planning a $4 billion plan to produce batteries for electric vehicles, in Michigan.
• Toyota; considering a $1.3 billion battery plant in North Carolina.
• Samsung; Considering a $17 billion semiconductor plant in Texas.

These are just a few of the considerations.

Learn More!

Learn more about the Global Supply Chain 2022 and Beyond at the 36th Michigan World Trade Week Business Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 4th! Keynote presenter, Mark Baxa -  President & CEO, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) will discuss 'Succeeding in Today's Supply Chain Environment' during his keynote address. After lunch, join us for breakout sessions that will keep the discussion of the global supply chain going!   Register today!

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About the Author

Jenna Hoover is working as a student assistant for GVSU’s Van Andel Global Trade Center. She is a junior at GVSU currently studying Finance and Supply Chain Management within the Seidman College of Business. You can find her visiting local coffee shops as she studies for classes or checks in on her Roth IRA. In her free time, she enjoys walking her dog, Gertrude, and hanging out with friends along the beautiful beaches of West Michigan.

Categories: Export Global Consumer Supply Chain
Posted on Permanent link for The Future of Global Supply Chain on April 26, 2022.