Export Success
Preparing Northwest Ohio Companies to Grow Globally
The University of Toledo John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business & Innovation in partnership with RGP Northwest Ohio and with the support of the U.S. Commercial Service and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Northern Ohio District Export Council present Export Success.
Export Success is a comprehensive training program designed to help businesses expand into international markets with confidence and clarity.
Why Export Success
Expanding into global markets presents significant opportunity, but it also comes with complexity. Export Success provides a structured, practical approach to help companies navigate that process—from identifying target markets to building and executing a strategic export plan.
Through a series of expert-led sessions, participants gain the tools, knowledge, and connections needed to move forward with confidence.
Who Should Participate?
Export Success is designed for:
- Companies new to exporting
- Businesses looking to expand into new international markets
- Both product-based and service-based organizations
- Companies currently exporting that want to improve efficiency and strengthen their export processes
Whether you are exploring exporting for the first time or refining an existing strategy, the program meets you where you are and helps you move forward.
Program Features
Export Success combines structured learning with practical support to help companies move forward with confidence.
- Pre-program assessment to evaluate export readiness and align goals
- Peer learning and mentorship from experienced exporters
- Access to market tools and research to support global expansion
- Connections to state and federal export resources
- Opportunities for one-on-one guidance tailored to your business
- Collaboration with The University of Toledo MBA student teams to provide applied research and export market analysis
- Development of a customized, actionable export plan to guide your company’s global growth
The program combines education with real-world application, helping companies translate learning into action quickly and effectively.
Program Agenda
All sessions will take place at the Center for Alumni and Donor Engagement on Fridays from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. The program cost is $2,000 per company.
January 22, 2027: Introductions, Orientation, Government Programs and Grants
February 26, 2027: International Sales Process
March 19, 2027: International Marketing
April 23, 2027: Sales Contracts and Logistics
May 21, 2027: International Banking, Payments, and Finance
June 25, 2027: Country Day
July 23, 2027: Cross-Cultural Communication & Travel
August 27, 2027: Legal Issues and Compliance
September 24, 2027: Export Plan Development
October 22, 2027: Company Export Plans and Graduation
"The Export Success Program was very beneficial in the development of my international business skills. I gained valuable insight from the presenters and the experiences they shared, along with the knowledge from the organizers and program mentors. I highly encourage anyone wanting to expand their understanding of international business to be a part of this excellent program."
- Ryan J. Schwieterman
Founder, President & CEO
The Harvest Company of Ohio
Program Experience
Export Success is delivered through a 10-session cohort-based format, meeting approximately once per month. Each session focuses on a key topic in the export process, including:
- International sales and market entry strategies
- Legal and regulatory considerations
- Global marketing and cultural dynamics
- Banking, financing, and risk management
- Logistics, documentation, and compliance
Participants also benefit from:
- One-on-one guidance and mentorship
- Access to tools such as partner searches and matchmaking services
- Connections to state and federal export support programs
- Opportunity to collaborate with UToledo students on real-world international business projects
- Leave the program with a customized, ready-to-execute export plan tailored to your business
Proven Impact
Export Success has supported more than 60 companies across Northwest Ohio, including Bionix, NAMSA, BioFit, SmartSolve, Surface Combustion, and Kripke Enterprises.
The results speak for themselves:
- Companies consistently report meaningful growth in export activity
- Some participants have achieved significant expansion, including one company realizing a 700% increase in exports within a year of completing the program
The program’s success was a contributing factor in the region receiving the prestigious President’s E Award for Export Services in 2024.
If you have any questions about the program, please reach out to Angie Jones at angie.jones@utoledo.edu or Paul Zito at zito@rgp.org.
