Episode one

International Trade Seminar

Mr. Boden, an executive from Dynateam Innovations Inc. meets Mr. Volkov from Eurosport at a Seminar in Denver, Col. Both gyp, are looking for potential business partners. Will it work?

Every year a HR International, a Denver-based counseling company, organizes a week-long seminar for American and Russian businessmen. A lot of people who enroll are senior managers of export-import and production companies. HR International speci­alizes in promoting innovative business strategies and helps its clients to make their business collaboration a lot more positive.

Johnny Boden had just been promoted to lead the export division of Dynateam Innovations Inc. from his old job as a regional vice-president. Dynateam, a fast-growing sports ware retailer had high regard for Mr. Boden's management skills and wanted him to broaden his international trade expertise. Johnny believed that trade with Russia had a great potential and lie hoped that the seminar _would give him a chance to establish new business contacts.

Dmitry Volkov, an executive partner at Eurosport, came to Denver to have a face-to-face meeting with American businessmen and to learn how to do business with Americans.

On Monday morning all participants arrived at the Plaza Hotel in Denver. At the registration desk each participant got a badge with his. Name and the name of his company and a conference pack, including a seminar program, a city map, a pad with a pen.

Dmitry Volkov took out a seminar program and read:

MONDAY, June 28

7:30-8:30 AM Registration

8:30-9:30 AM Grand Ballroom

Welcome Patrick Parker, President and CEO H R International

Keynote Economy Has Never Looked so Good Frank Ticoll, Co-Director, Digital World, Russian-American Joint Venture

9:30-10 AM Beverage Break

10-12 AM SIG Discussions

Free Economic Zones

Invited Speaker: Ron Oliver, President, Denver Chamber of Commerce, Denver, Cole., USA

12:15-1:30 PM Lunch Break

1:30-3:00 PM

Salon A Investors Look at Russia

Anne Boyle, Wake Forest Univ. Winston-Salem, USA

Salon B Importing in the USA: Essential Questions George Mason, Houston World Trade Association, Houston, USA

3:00-3:30 PM Beverage Break 3:30-5:00 PM

Grand Ballroom Poster Demonstrations

Social events

Monday, June 28

Welcome Reception 6:30-8 PM

Tuesday, June 29

Dinner Banquet

Le Lutetia Restaurant Cost: $65 each 6-10 PM

Transportation by bus will be provided. Please meet outside hotel main lobby on Stanley Street promptly at 5:45 PM

Friday, July 01

Closing Remarks 4-4:30 PM

***

Patrick Parker, HR CEO, opened the seminar with a short welcome speech.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to Denver! Welcome to HR International!

International trade is a business of enormous opportunities. Who can go into Russian-American trade? The answer is easy. I can, you can, and anyone can. But how many will stay in business and be successful? This question is much more difficult to answer. The aim of this course is to help you to a successful start and ensure you remain successful.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have great pleasure in introducing Mr. Ticoll.

Then Mr. Ticoll took the floor. He talked about his international experiences as a Co-Director in a Russian-American joint-venture Digital World. His speech aroused lively discussion, which continued during a coffee break.

Mr. Boden: Hello, my name is John Boden. I'm from Dynateam Innovations.

Ms. Woodcock: Hi, I'm Katie Woodcock. I work for Eastern Projects.

***

Mr. Ticoll: Good afternoon. May I introduce myself? My name is Frank Ticoll. I am from Digital World.

Mr. Volkov: Good afternoon. Nice to meet you,

Mr. Ticoll. My name is Dmitry Volkov. I'm from a Saint-Petersburg-based company Eurosport. I really liked your speech, Mr. Ticoll.

Mr. Ticoll: Thank you. Please call me Frank.

***

Katie Woodcock: Patrick, let me introduce my

(to Parker) new Russian friend Dmitry. He's from Saint-Petersburg.

Parker: Hello, Dmitry. Welcome to Denver. Here's my business card.

Dmitry: Thank You, Mr. Parker. Here's mine. Eurosport is the company I work for. This is our business address, our phone and fax numbers.

***

Dmitry: I don't think we've met before. Let me

introduce myself. I'm Dmitry Volkov from

Eurosport, Russia.

Mr. Boden: Glad to meet you. I'm Johnny Boden.

Are you finding the seminar interesting?

Dmitry: Yes, I think so. I find all the speeches and presentations very interesting.

Mr. Boden. Is this your first visit to America?

Dmitry: Yes, I have never been to America before. And you? Have you ever visited Russia?

Mr. Boden: Not yet, unfortunately. But I'd like to go and

I think I will since we are planning to start sell

our goods to Russia.

Dmitry: Are you interested in Saint-Petersburg area?

Mr. Boden: Yes, of course. I suppose that the North West of Russia is an area with great import-export potential. Are you involved in international trade?

Dmitry: Eurosport, the company I work for, is relatively young. My partner and I started the company

4 years ago. We have not had any import-export experience so far. But we feel it's time we go international.

Mr. Boden: Dmitry, I'm afraid we must be going. Do you take part in Free Economic Zones Workshop?

Dmitry: Yes, I do. I suggest we meet later tonight.

Mr. Boden: Say 8:30 at the Piano Bar. Good-bye, Dmitry.

Dmitry: Good-bye, John.