Join us for the International Women’s Day Celebration – Exporting Idea Abroad! on March 8, 2016 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Salt Lake Chamber.
This will be an afternoon of delicious food, a content-rich panel on how you can take your products to international markets and, of course, networking with great company.
The panel will include Natalie Kaddas from Kaddas Enterprises and Betsy Mikesell from Beddy’s who will share their experiences selling products globally. Katie Stevens from eBay will also sit on the panel and provide insights on how the eBay platform creates an easy path to exporting. World Trade Center Utah President and CEO Derek B. Miller will moderate the panel.
Click here to register. Cost to attend is $10. This event is presented by the Salt Lake Chamber Women’s Business Center and World Trade Center Utah.
Panelists
Katie Stevens, eBay
Katie Stevens leads State and Local Government Relations for eBay’s western region, working with local and state policymakers and stakeholders to promote policies that support consumers and tech-enabled small business growth. Prior to joining eBay in 2013, Katie worked for Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin leading state and federal government relations work for the city. She has also served as senior policy staff on Capitol Hill to Congressman Brian Baird and Congressman Cal Dooley and led the Governor’s California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley’s legislative agenda.
Katie received her B.A. from the University of Southern California, and her M.P.A from CSU Fresno. She and her husband, Josh, recently moved to Salt Lake City from San Jose and are expecting their first child.
Betsy, Mikesell, Beddy’s
Betsy Mikesell was a full time hair dresser and mom of three kids when she was inspired to create her own type of zipper bedding for bunk beds. After hearing from her friends that they all wanted the bedding, she decided to bring on her friend Angie White and create the product now known and patented as Beddy’s. Betsy and Angie decided to do a Kickstarter in 2014 which funded $108,000 in 40 days. Since that time, they have seen 600 percent growth year over year.
Natalie Kaddas, Kaddas Enterprises
Natalie Kaddas is responsible for the day-to-day operations and strategic direction of Kaddas Enterprises. Kaddas is a second generation family business that for 50 years has specialized in Thermoform Plastic Manufacturing.Natalie’s background is in the hospitality industry, managing global room revenues for Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. She places a high priority on understanding the customer’s experience and business management. Under her leadership the company has tripled revenues and grown net profits year over year. Natalie has traveled with Governor Herbert on trade missions to Israel, the United Kingdom and Mexico. Kaddas Enterprises’ international sales have grown by over 1,000 percent since 2013. Natalie is also a graduate from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program.
Moderator
Derek B. Miller, World Trade Center Utah
Derek B. Miller is the president and CEO of the World Trade Center Utah, an organization dedicated to helping Utah companies “think, act, and succeed globally.” WTC Utah is a member of the World Trade Centers Association headquartered in New York City, a network of more than 300 WTC’s in 100 countries around the world, with the mission to facilitate prosperity through trade and investment.Prior to his current position, Mr. Miller served as chief of staff to Governor Gary R. Herbert, overseeing the Governor’s Office, the Governor’s Cabinet and state operations. Mr. Miller has also served as managing director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development where he was responsible for recruiting new businesses to the state and helping existing Utah businesses to expand.
