Export Readiness Program (HiSTEP-ERP)

About the HiSTEP Export Readiness Program

The Export Readiness Program (HiSTEP-ERP) is a training and advising program to prepare Hawaii companies to begin or expand their export market development. The program includes one-on-one export business advising and export training seminars. HiSTEP-ERP is open to all types of businesses considering exporting. At the conclusion of the program, companies will have a go-to-market strategy and export plan.

Events

The following is the current list of seminars scheduled for the 2024 HiSTEP Program:

INTERNATIONAL TRADE SHOWS
Thursday, January 25, 2024, 3:00PM – 4:00PM HST (Virtual Session)
For more information and to register virtually: International Trade Shows – Virtual

International Trade Shows are being held in-person again now that the global pandemic is waning. There is a great deal of pent-up demand to meet face-to-face and display products and services available for sale. Several international trade show subsidized pavilions with Hawaii branding are being organized by DBEDT and HDOA with HiSTEP support. If you are planning to join in one of the Hawaii pavilions or if you are going to attend any other international trade show–with or without HiSTEP support–this event will teach you some things to consider that can save you time and money. We will also discuss basic booth etiquette and cultural issues, which can be quite different than attending a trade show in Hawaii or on the mainland.

EXPORT UNIVERSITY 101

Thursday, February 22, 2024, 1:00PM – 4:00PM HST (Virtual Session)
For more information and to register virtually: Export University 101 – Virtual

Learn from experts the fundamentals of core export courses, including finance, marketing, legal, information technology, logistics, and cultural issues. This course is designed to provide broad, high level insights to these topics and give the exporter or potential exporter ideas to contemplate and issues to prepare for when sending products and services overseas.

Multilingual Websites, Social Media, and E-Commerce Trends for Exporters

Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 3:00PM – 4:00PM HST (Virtual Session)
For more information and to register virtually: Register Here on Zoom

The information technology (IT) used to market products and services has changed significantly in the past few years. This webinar is designed to provide the latest information about which IT platforms can be deployed at a reasonable cost to maximize returns on the time and money invested.

Exporting of Agricultural Products from Hawaii

Thursday, May 23, 2024, 3:00PM – 4:00PM HST (Virtual Session)
For more information and to register virtually: Register Here on Zoom

Agricultural products–including beverages and processed foods–are a growing export of the Hawaii economy. This webinar will introduce you to several federal, state, and county resources, as well as international events and activities, that are available to agricultural exporters.

LOGISTICS AND SHIPPING TRAINING

HiSTEP is very pleased to present a series of webinars on Logistics and Shipping to Japan, with the objective of preparing companies new to the market to ship products for retail sale to Japanese consumers. 

Webinar #1: Wednesday, April 10, 2024, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

  • Reiko T. Rogers presents an overview of the logistics and shipping process, with rules and requirements explained step-by-step. 
  • We introduce Katsuyo Delauder, representing freight forwarder Yamato Transport USA. 
  • The Q&A from this and the other two webinars will be compiled into an FAQ that will be posted later on invest.hawaii.gov.
  • Download the presentation deck here.
  • Please view the video recording here.

Webinar #2: Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

  • REGISTER HERE 
  • Recap of the process by Reiko T. Rogers
  • We will introduce Mayumi Shano, CEO of TSC, importer of food and beverage products, who is now expanding to lifestyle and stationery products
  • Q&A with all

Webinar #3: Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

  • REGISTER HERE
  • Recap of the process by Reiko T. Rogers
  • We will introduce Akira Sasaki, president of Mode Aki, importer of apparel and accessories
  • Q&A with all

All webinars will be presented by Zoom and are free of charge, but registration is required.

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DBEDT and SBA Logos

Funded in part through a Grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration

We are now confirming the 2024 schedule of training events. Please be sure to visit this page after we update it.

The following is the current list of seminars scheduled for the 2023 HiSTEP Program: 

2023 HiSTEP Kick-off Seminars 

DBEDT HiSTEP Kick Off 2023 Presentation

Hawaiʻi Island: Wednesday, October 26, 2022, 10:00 AM             
Registration: Zoom #1, Hawaiʻi Island
2023 HiSTEP Kick-Off Video-Hawaii Island

Maui: Wednesday, October 26, 2022, 2:00 PM                
Registration: Zoom #2, Maui
2023 HiSTEP Kick-Off Video-Maui

Oʻahu: Thursday, October 27, 2022, 10:00 AM  
Registration: Zoom #3, Oahu
2023 HiSTEP Kick-Off Video-Oahu

Kauaʻi: Thursday, October 27, 2022, 2:00 PM   
Registration: Zoom #4, Kauaʻi
2023 HiSTEP Kick-Off Video-Kauai 

The HiSTEP program has three key components that you will learn about in the seminar: 

  1. Export Readiness Program – training and consulting to help you begin or expand your export market development plans. 
  2. Hawai‘i Pavilions – support at major trade shows such as the Tokyo International Gift Show
  3. Company Assistance – awards of up to $5,000 for new-to-export companies and up to $15,000 for market expansion companies. 

This year four HiSTEP 2023 kick-off sessions will be held, each with a different island/county emphasis. 

INTERNATIONAL TRADE SHOWS
Thursday, March 2, 2023, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM HST
Hybrid meeting: In-person venue and virtual. Please register for one only.

International Trade Shows are being held in-person again now that the global pandemic is waning. There is a great deal of pent-up demand to meet face-to-face and display products and services available for sale. Several international trade show subsidized pavilions with Hawaii branding are being organized by DBEDT and HDOA with HiSTEP support. If you are planning to join in one of the Hawaii pavilions or if you are going to attend any other international trade show–with or without HiSTEP support–this event will teach you some things to consider that can save you time and money. We will also discuss basic booth etiquette and cultural issues, which can be quite different than attending a trade show in Hawaii or on the mainland.

LEGAL, CONTRACTS, and INTELLECTUAL PROPERY PROTECTION for EXPORTERS
Thursday, March 30, 2023, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM HST
Hybrid meeting: In-person venue and virtual. Please register for one only.

Learn about key legal considerations as you engage your business with new partners or overseas markets. Topics covered may include: contracts, export documentation, export licenses, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), protecting intellectual property, and regulations.

EXPORTING to VIETNAM
Thursday, April 27, 2023, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM HST
Hybrid meeting: In-person venue and virtual. Please register for one only.

  • In-Person Venue: Foreign Trade Zone No. 9, Homer Maxey International Trade Center Conference Room, 521 Ala Moana Blvd. Please register here: Exporting to Vietnam
  • Virtual registration: For more information and to register virtually: Exporting to Vietnam

Vietnam is a rapidly developing market and US exports to Vietnam are increasing annually across all sectors, including products, services, and agriculture. Learn from experts on the Vietnam market regarding marketing, logistics, and how to utilize key resources such as the US Commercial Service.

WORKING with the U.S. COMMERICAL SERVICE and AMCHAMS to INCREASE EXPORTS
Thursday, May 25, 2023, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM HST
Hybrid meeting: In-person venue and virtual. Please register for one only.

American companies have two fantastic assets at their disposal when exporting: the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) and the U.S. Commercial Service (USCS). Nearly every country has an AmCham comprised of local members who are experienced in the market, and there are USCS officers at U.S. embassies and consulates who are able to assist in finding distributors and potential customers. Join us to learn more about international AmChams and how to access USCS officers around the world.

Please check back later for upcoming 2023 HiSTEP Sessions as we prepare for 2023.