Happy New Year!

Registration is OPEN – SIDO NTE Training Program
Registration for SIDO’s 2026 New to Export Training is OPEN!  For more information on the training please visit our website, which also includes a registration form for you and your companies.
Deadline for registration is March 2, 2025.  The instructor-led session dates are scheduled for April 7, April 14, April 21, and April 28. Pre- and post-training Coaching sessions will be scheduled between our Coaches and the companies separately. Currently, SIDO does not anticipate another training cohort for 2026.

New Jersey's most important business networking event returns on March 31 & April 1
The ReNew Jersey Business Summit & Expo returns to Harrah’s Atlantic City on March 31 & April 1. The two-day Summit – attended by over 1,000 in 2024 – will feature keynote speakers, timely panel discussions on N.J.’s economic competitiveness, unmatched networking opportunities, and 100 exhibitors showcasing their products and services. The 2026 Summit is especially significant, coming just weeks after N.J. welcomes a new gubernatorial administration. More info and register here. (N.J. Chamber of Commerce)

Exporting Industrial Machinery to Brazil
February 11, 2026 - 12:00 PM EST - $25
Exporting to Brazil? Don't let Customs be a roadblock! Learn the basics of Customs import clearance processes and tariffs in Brazil.  Gain a competitive edge by understanding one of the most challenging aspects of exporting to this vibrant market. This webinar is focused on U.S. exporters of equipment and machinery, customs procedures and strategies. Register

EXIM 2026 Annual Conference
April 29-30, 2026 - Washington, DC
The EXIM Annual Conference is a premier gathering at the elegant Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. This two-day event will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and professionals involved in export finance and international trade. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to engage in insightful discussions, attend expert-led panels, and network with peers from across the globe. As the landscape of global trade continues to evolve, the conference will address key topics such as trade policy, financing solutions, and the latest trends shaping the export environment. Register

Explore counseling, training and mentoring
SBA resource partners throughout the country provide free training, counseling, and mentoring to guide you through the process of launching and growing a business. Find Local Assistance

Get Matched with a SCORE Mentor
Research consistently shows that small business owners who work with a mentor are more confident, more prepared and more likely to build sustainable businesses.

Did you know that small business owners who receive three or more hours of mentoring report higher revenues and increased growth? 

A mentor can help you:

• Clarify your goals and priorities
• Avoid costly mistakes
• Interpret your numbers and plans more effectively
• Stay accountable as you grow

SCORE mentors are a network of 10,000+ experienced business professionals who volunteer their time to help entrepreneurs like you—at no cost. FIND MY BUSINESS MENTOR

NJ is one of fastest-growing states in America, Census shows
New Jersey was the fastest growing state in the Northeast and one of the fastest in the nation last year, data released by the U.S. Census Bureau shows. The state added 41,861 residents between July 2024 and July 2025 – making New Jersey the tenth fastest growing state nationwide. No state in the Northeast added more residents. More than 9.54 million people now call New Jersey home, up from more than 9.28 million during the April 2020 census. (nj.com)

ICYMI: New Jersey STEP Graduation Policy
The NJ State Trade Expansion Program is designed to provide companies with support aimed at achieving self-sufficiency and long-term success in exporting. The program's graduation policy, mandated by the U.S, Small Business Administration (SBA), states participants are to graduate upon meeting specific criteria, which is: receiving an overall total of $50,000 in awards and / or in the program for five (5) years, whichever comes first.

This signifies the company has begun to establish a foundation in exporting and is prepared to maintain and build their independence without ongoing STEP support. Upon graduation, you may think you are no longer able to work with the Office of Export Promotion, but, that is the furthest from the truth, we welcome all companies to continue to access follow-up with us for additional resources and networking, such as OEP or BAC hosted webinars, networking events, referral networks, and work with all of the Business Action Center offices, to ensure sustained success beyond the program's structure.

What is "Success" to You?
Is it seeing your firm's consumer packaged goods on the shelves of a British store? Perhaps, it is entering the United Arab Emirates with a breakthrough cosmetic? Or, it might be selling your firm's AI-powered consulting services in Japan.
 
Whichever country, or language, spells "Success" to you, the Office of Export Promotion is your go-to resource. Send an email to Marielle Wolf at marielle.wolf@sos.nj.gov.
 
Let’s talk about what your “Success” will be!

Have an Export-Related Need? NJBAC Office of Export Promotion Can Help.
The Office of Export Promotion works with New Jersey’s small and mid-sized companies interested in expanding sales and their customer base for their products and services through export. Companies interested in global business activity can tap into a number of resources on business export planning available through the NJBAC Export Promotion unit.

Have a Business Need? NJBAC Can Help.
The NJBAC offers no-cost technical assistance, training, and problem-solving. From site selection and incentive identification to one-off questions, the NJBAC is here to support all NJ businesses. In addition to the Office of Export Promotion, NJBAC is home to the Office of Small Business Advocacy, Office of Business Advocacy, and the Office of Planning Advocacy. The NJBAC offers free online chat and telephone (800-537-7397) assistance in English and Spanish to any New Jersey business. The NJBAC Small Business Manual, a one-stop tool for many business concerns, is available online. A Spanish version of the manual is also available for download. A print copy in both versions is available on request.

Please feel free to share the information in this email with other NJ companies interested in exporting.

Please note we will be sending out these OEP Updates emails typically once a month. If there is a topic you would like us to address, please tell us. If you would rather not receive these emails, let us know and we will remove you from our list.

Best Regards,

The Office of Export Promotion Team
Marielle Wolf, NJSTEP Project Director
Jean Chang, International Business Advocate
Sophie Werner, International Business Advocate