By DAVID BERTOLA
dbertola@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1621

The New York State Small Business Development Center will host the U.S.-China Business Trade Development Conference, Sept. 20-21 at the Conference Center in Niagara Falls. It will be held in conjunction with the U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce and Empire State Development Corp.

"The focus of this conference is helping local companies expand through exporting and selling goods overseas," said Rick Gorko, coordinator of education and training at the New York State Small Business Development Center.

It will provide information on trade, investment and business development, as well as matchmaking and networking opportunities with Chinese businesses in need of U.S. products or services.

Attendees will meet with Chinese businesspeople and economic development officials to discuss their interests in the Chinese market. More than 100 Chinese businesses, economic development and government officials are expected to attend. 

"This is an opportunity for businesses in New York state to expand their markets internationally and to learn more about the market, establish contacts and familiarize themselves with resources that are available to them and help them make that next step," Gorko said.

For the matchmaking sessions, he said the SBDC has identified industry sectors and the goal is to place business leaders in small groups or one-on-one discussions with the appropriate Chinese counterpart.

"Once the conference is over, the important thing to understand is the (SBDC) will help all business owners to continue their relationships with their Chinese counterparts," Gorko said. "We will continue to help facilitate that relationship so it ultimately ends up being a productive trade or investment relationship."

For more information or to register, visit www.nyssbdc.org or call 800-732-7232.