Grow your exports, sales,
brand, and business
Best-practice, optimally localized business development websites, designed with an international focus, so your company will be found, be understood, and be easy to do business with
International online marketing, Search Engine Marketing, Social Media Marketing, and Reporting and Analytics Programs, to grow your traffic, engagement and conversions
IBT Online works with THE MICHIGAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MEDC) to deliver the Michigan Online Global Programs to help Michigan companies grow their exports, sales, brand and business. For full details and downloadables of the Michigan Online Global Programs, please see below.
The Michigan State Trade Export Program (MI-STEP) works to increase the number of small business exporters and increases the value of exporters for those who currently trade overseas. Michigan’s Regional Export Network (REN) coordinates the Pure Michigan State Trade Export Promotion program applications and delivery of services in collaboration with the MEDC and its strategic export partners.
The MEDC supports Michigan Online Global program customers with opportunities to offset eligible program expenses. Company participants may connect directly with their International Trade Manager to learn more about the MI-STEP grant reimbursement process. Also, the MEDC offers 10 Michigan exporters a grant of $5,500 each (subject to approval) to offset the costs of the FY2024 Michigan Online Global programs to help grow Michigan companies’ international sales, brands, and businesses, both online and globally. After consultation with an International Trade Manager, eligible companies may be able to utilize MI-STEP grants for further financial assistance. Find out more below.
Alyssa Tracey, Director of International Trade, Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Watch Alyssa present the Michigan Online Global Programs and its benefits for Michigan companies:
"The MEDC has partnered with IBT Online for more than 10 years now, and today more than 120 Michigan companies have benefitted from these Michigan Online Global Programs, to grow their exports. IBT Online has a proven track record of delivery for Michigan exporters ... Members of the IBT Online team are here in Michigan to help explain the programs, provide you with all the information you need and adapt the programs to your business. I am extremely excited to extend this opportunity to all Michigan companies!"
On July 28, 2022, IBT Online received the following award letter, stating:
“the MEDC Joint Evaluation Committee (JEC) completed its evaluation of the proposals for a Contractor to provide professional services to support MEDC in development and delivery of customized export development services to Michigan-based small to medium-sized businesses. The JEC has recommended awarding an agreement to IBT Online, LLC."
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT MICHIGAN EXPORT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS CONTACT YOUR INTERNATIONAL TRADE MANAGER
Alyssa Tracey, Director of International Trade
traceya@michigan.org
T (517) 243 4523
Alyssa is the Director of International Trade at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. MEDC’s International Trade team facilitates opportunities for Michigan businesses to export goods and services around the world in support of their growth and prosperity here in Michigan. Regionally-based International Trade Managers throughout the state match businesses to export education and events, marketing support, legal assistance, and grant funding to offset eligible export activities. MEDC’s international trade centers cover 92 countries to provide local market analysis, identify and interview prospective partners and customers, and make direct introductions to interested prospects.
Chris Bosio, MEDC Intl Trade Manager, Middle East lead,
bosioc@michigan.org
T (517) 348 9256
Pro-actively recruit growth orientated SME's to participate in the MEDC’s International Trade Accelerator program. Responsible for 65% of the State’s geography, from Saginaw to Ironwood. Assisted more than 200 companies and fostered a roster of 60 highly engaged companies who have reported assisted export sales in excess of $200 million since the program’s inception. Collaborate with local and regional economic developers to develop a pipeline of quality referrals. Developed strong working relationships with regional, state and federal export professionals in order to provide my clients with timely best of class expertise. Led and or participated in more than a dozen trade missions to eleven countries. Extensive experience leading Trade Show delegations to Canada, France and the United Arab Emirates. Participated with high-level State Government officials in trade missions to Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom and France.
Weiwei Lu, MEDC Intl Trade Manager, Asia lead,
luw@michigan.org
T (616) 540 4964
Experienced Trade Development Manager with a demonstrated history of working in both for-profit and non-profit organization management industry. Strong business development professional skilled in Marketing Management, Business Planning and Project Management, International Trade, Market Research, and Leadership.
Lead ITM for West Michigan region, managing STEP (State Trade Expansion Program) grant in the West Michigan area, identifying and helping qualified Michigan companies get funded for their export promotional and marketing activities to expand globally
Jacob Schroeder, MEDC Intl Trade Manager, Canada lead,
schroederj4@michigan.org
T (517) 898 7462
Working with Michigan businesses to provide Statewide and regional resources designed to help Michigan Businesses increase export sales, and grow in the State of Michigan.
Services include, market research, foreign company matchmaking, matching export activity funding through the State Trade Export Program (STEP).
Responsible for Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Livingston, Lenawee, Jackson, Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Monroe, Shiawassee, Genesee, Mason, Lake, Osceola, Oceana, Mecosta, Newaygo, Montcalm, and Ionia Counties.
Brendan Cherry, MEDC Intl Trade Manager, Latin America lead,
cherryb2@michigan.org
T (517) 243 9877
Accomplished executive with respect to Latin American markets. Outstanding leadership and management skills with the US Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer. In addition, excellent research and writing skills gained from graduate education. Well traveled and sensitive to cross cultural needs.
Goals: To provide leadership, management, and international experiences with a major global corporation.
Specialties: Foreign languages (Bahasa Indonesian, Spanish, Portuguese), international trade policy (NAFTA, MERCOSUR), export consulting, military, sales-biotech and water works industry.
John Gelmisi, MEDC Intl Trade Manager, Europe lead,
gelmisij@michigan.org
T (517) 328 8468
International Trade Manager for the MEDC and previous experience as an Engineering Services Director supporting product development and international expansion for companies in Michigan. Support small and mid-sized businesses in Michigan with their export strategies and international growth goals as an International Trade Manager for the MEDC by offering a multitude of programs and funding opportunities.
Best-practice, optimally localized business development websites, designed with an international focus, so your company will be found, be understood, and be easy to do business with in your target markets
Customer-centric websites, and future extensions, which you will own, will be built and managed for you
Teamwork Project Management, your program and technical team, ensure organized, transparent and effective collaboration, the program management, changes and extensions, meet deadlines and achieve results
One best-practice, optimally localized business development WordPress website
Predefined scope: 35 pages, 10,000 words
Budget: $18,000 @ $180 per hour
Two best-practice, optimally localized business development WordPress websites
Predefined scope: 12 pages, 3,500 words per website
Budget: $18,000 @ $180 per hour
Any number of best-practice, optimally localized business development WordPress websites
Custom scope: ## pages, ##,### words
Budget: Dependent upon scope of work
One best-practice, optimally Localized User eXperience (LUX) WordPress website design
Online Global website design for higher traffic, improved engagement, more conversions and clear brand communication
Budget: $10,000 @ $180 per hour
Any number of WordPress websites optimally localized management and support
Management of CMS, hosting, security, geolocation, cloud backup and the 24/7 support portal
Budget: $60 per website pcm @ $180 per hour
Best-practice, optimally localized Shopify and WooCommerce website development services to create a new, or manage an existing, online store, tailored to your unique needs and preferences. Designing a user-friendly interface, integrating payment gateways, and setting up product categories and listings.
Shopify and WooCommerce ecommerce website management services to ensure that the online store operates smoothly and efficiently. Updating product information, managing orders and inventory, monitoring website traffic and analytics, and troubleshooting technical issues.
Teamwork Project Management, your program and technical team, ensure organized, transparent and effective collaboration, the program management, changes and extensions, meet deadlines and achieve results.
One best-practice, optimally localized business development website with Shopify (IBT Online is a Shopify Partner) ecommerce
Sell online in your target markets. Ecommerce Platforms: Shopify, cloud content platforms, deployment, implementation
Budget: Dependent upon scope of work
Any number of Shopify (IBT Online is a Shopify Partner) ecommerce websites optimally localized management and support
Management of CMS, hosting, security, geolocation, cloud backup and the 24/7 support portal
Budget: Dependent on scope of work
One best-practice, optimally localized business development website with WooCommerce ecommerce
Sell online in your target markets. Ecommerce Platforms: WooCommerce, Open-source, cloud content platforms, deployment, implementation
Budget: Dependent upon scope of work
Any number of WooCommerce ecommerce websites optimally localized management and support
Management of CMS, hosting, security, geolocation, cloud backup and the 24/7 support portal
Budget: Dependent on scope of work
Search Engine Marketing, Social Media Marketing, and Reporting and Analytics Programs, so your company will grow traffic, engagement and conversions, as well as help you connect with your customers, increase awareness of your brand, and boost your leads and sales, in your target markets
Market review, content analysis, buyer persona and journey, rivals, industry, relevant companies, projected conversions and return on investment forecasting
Teamwork Project Management, your program and technical team, ensure organized, transparent and effective collaboration, the program management, changes and extensions, meet deadlines and achieve results
One Search Engine Marketing, Social Media Marketing, and Reporting and Analytics Program
Budget: Set-up $1,800, Monthly $2,700 @ $180 per hour
Two Search Engine Marketing, Social Media Marketing, and Reporting and Analytics Programs
Budget: Set-up $3,240, Monthly $4,680 @ $180 per hour
Any number of Search Engine Marketing, Social Media Marketing, and Reporting and Analytics Programs
Budget: Dependent upon scope of work
Any number of Account Based Search Engine Marketing, Social Media Marketing, and Reporting and Analytics
Budget: Dependent upon scope of work
Any number of Social listening, brand monitoring and data analytics programs
Budget: Depended upon scope of work
Any number of Video Marketing Programs. Video Marketing has rapidly become a key element of a well-rounded marketing strategy; easy to digest, entertaining and 12X more engaging than written content
Budget: Dependent upon scope of work
CHINA Search Engine Marketing, Social Media Marketing, and Reporting and Analytics Program
Budget: Set-up $2,700, Monthly $2,700 @ $180 per hour
#Tradeshow Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Social Media Marketing (SMM), Email Marketing, and Reporting and Analytics Program
Budget: Set-up $3,600 , Delivery $2,880, Follow-up and Reporting $1,440 @ $180 per hour
CHINA International Online Global Ecommerce Marketing Program
Budget: Set-up $15,000, Monthly $5,000 @ $180 per hour