Trade horror movie of 2010?
“Here’s a start for your horror movie,” Roger Cunningham, president and owner of United Risk Consultants tells me as we begin to talk about political risks for exporters in North Texas. He tells me that we are seeing ”unprecedented” worldwide insolvencies in 2009 that are continuing into 2010. This means that companies are in a lot of financial trouble.
Some may ask, ‘how does this impact me? I have great relationships with my buyers.” Contracts signed three years ago under the best of intentions are now facing extraordinary uncertainties. Buyers are unable to follow through.
Are you doing business with Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Portugal or Spain? Many executives are beginning to worry about the enormous debts of these and other governments around the world. Will they be able to support their own obligations, much less support their business communities in a time of need?
“Political Risk includes military wars, but in my experience, many people don’t think about trade wars which happen much more often,” Roger tells me. “The cancellation of an import or an export permit can certainly stop payment on an order; not to mention any and all future orders.”
An example is the provision in the Stimulus Act of 2009 that prohibits Canadian, and other foreign-owned businesses, from competing for U.S. government projects. It also prohibits U.S. companies that source a percentage of their products from foreign-owned companies. Buying Canadian lumber? Chinese steel? You are likely out of the game for these procurement opportunities. Selling to these same companies? Many governments are retaliating, making it much less attractive for foreign-owned businesses to buy U.S.-made products.
Global Commerce can be a risky business if you’re not prepared and the Dallas Regional Chamber’s International Business Council wants to help you prepare. The fourth installment of the Navigating Global Risk Series will host a panel of experts to discuss ways to not be fooled this April fool’s day. “Insuring” You Get Paid in Global Commerce will be held Thursday, April 1, 2010.
The April 1 seminar focuses on banking, public and private sector insurance tools for risk management and discusses building these tools into an international sales contract. Confirmed panelists include Roger Cunningham, president and owner of United Risk Consultants and Kelly Kemp, business development officer at the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Other speakers will represent legal, corporate experience and the banking sector.
CPE- Accounting and MCLE (pending) continuing education credits are available for this course, with no course prerequisites.
The April 1 event will be held at the Westin Galleria Dallas. Prices for each seminar are $45 for Chamber members and $55 general admission. International Business Council members receive an additional discount.
Visit www.dallaschamber.org/global for more information or contact Kelle Marsalis at (214) 712-1901 or kmarsalis@dallaschamber.org to register.
Chamber hosts luncheon for United States Senator John Cornyn
On Friday, February 19th the Dallas Regional Chamber was proud to host a luncheon for United States Senator John Cornyn. Over 200 business leaders from across North Texas were on hand to hear the Senator’s views on world events and the issues under consideration in Washington, DC.
- DRC President Jim Oberwetter kicks off the luncheon.
- Research In Motion / Blackerry Co-CEO Jim Balsillie introduces Senator John Cornyn
- Senator John Cornyn addresses Chamber members
- Roundtable participants
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TODAY is Election Day!
Today is Election Day! This is your chance to vote for Proposition 4 to improve higher education in Texas. Hear Ebby Halliday explain the importance of this legislation and how it will benefit you. Listen to Ebby Halliday!
For more information on the Chamber’s support of Prop 4, please click here.
Also, other local elections will be decided today including 3 Dallas ISD trustee seats.
Polling places will be open throughout Texas from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Voters must bring their voter registration certificate or another form of identification in order to vote at the polls. Don’t know where your polling place is located? Click here to find your polling location.
You can find more information about voting procedures, propositions on the ballot, elected officials, and more at www.dallaschamber.org or www.txprosperity.com Voting is your right and the ultimate expression of your freedom. Be sure to exercise that right, as every vote can make a difference.
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North Texas Chambers of Commerce unite in support of Proposition 4
North Texas Chambers of Commerce teamed with Texans For Tier One in support of Proposition 4

Senator Shapiro, James Huffines, Jim Oberwetter, Representatives Branch, Alonzo and Turner
On Tuesday, October 20th the Dallas Regional Chamber hosted a press conference where North Texas Chambers of Commerce representatives joined Senator Florence Shapiro, State Representatives Dan Branch, Roberto Alonzo and Chris Turner to support passage of Proposition 4 which will be decided in the upcoming November 3rd election.
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Joint Meeting for our Environment, Transportation and Water Committees
The Dallas Regional Chamber hosted a Joint Meeting for our Environment, Transportation and Water Committees this morning for our members. These issues are crucial to our region’s long-term success as we deal with projected population growth over the coming years.
We heard excellent presentations from Mike Eastland, Executive Director of the North Central Texas Council of Governments, Michael Miles, Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s Sr. Manager of Government Relations, and Jim Parks, Executive Director of the North Texas Municipal Water District.
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Chamber Hosts Annual Congressional Forum for 400 business leaders
U.S. Representatives Ralph Hall, Joe Barton, Eddie Bernice Johnson and Pete Sessions of the north Texas congressional delegation joined the Chamber and regional business leaders for the annual congressional forum in downtown Dallas.
About 400 Chamber members and guests attended the luncheon. The congressional members gave short remarks and then answered questions from the audience. As you might have guessed, healthcare was a hot topic of the discussion. While all the Congressional members agreed that we have the highest quality healthcare providers in the world they did not all agree on the different versions of pending legislation.
The congressional members also discussed federal transportation funding, the stimulus program and border violence issues.




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