International Group

ABOUT OUR GROUP

"Expanding Profits through International Business".

The group provides a forum through which its members increase their level of international business expertise; thus, its primary goal as stated in the motto is met. Founded in 1977, the local Indiana International Credit Group (IICG) was modeled after a similar group in Cleveland, Ohio. The founding members felt the need for such a group here and worked with the American Credit Association of Indiana (ACAI) and the Cleveland group to structure its setup.

The IICG, which is affiliated with the ACAI, is made up of member firms involved in some form of exporting. Typical members include manufacturing exporters, freight forwarders, and banks.

Benefits of membership in the group are:

· Meetings held at least 3 times annually—members share experiences and gain valuable insight into common issues pertaining to exporting.

· Guest speakers on special topics of interest at each meeting. Past topics included

· Indiana's global competitiveness,

· third party inspection of goods, example: (Societe Generale de Surveillance, a Swiss-based pre-shipment inspection program),

· foreign exchange hedging,

· legal ramifications in international business.

· Speakers have included representatives from local banks, law firms, universities, and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

· Round table discussions- an open forum for any subjects pertinent to exporting. Each member may submit questions, which are addressed during the forum. A few example questions:

· Define a boycott statement; and what are the reporting requirements?

· What sales term works best in India?

· Is anyone getting payments out of China promptly?

· You develop professional relationships with other Indiana exporters.