Kansas companies will have an unprecedented opportunity to learn about the economic opportunities of international trade during the daylong ExportNOW Conference Thursday, June 2, at the Wichita Hyatt Regency.

An assortment of panels throughout the day will educate potential exporters about the strategies and resources that can lead a Kansas business into the global marketplace. The conference is organized by the Wichita-based Kansas World Trade Center (KWTC). The City of Wichita is among more than 20 co-sponsors of the event.

Expert speakers from the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Small Business Administration and the Export-Import Bank of the United States will join state and local officials in a variety of sessions.

Kansas Secretary of Commerce Pat George will join Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer for an opening session panel with federal agency experts to talk about Kansas’ future in international trade.

The lunchtime keynote address will focus on the role of metropolitan areas in expanding export growth. It will be delivered by Amy Liu, Senior Fellow and Deputy Director with the Brookings Institution.

The state of Kansas generated $10 billion in export goods last year, led by Wichita businesses who accounted for half of that total. Every $1 billion in exports supports an estimated 6,000 jobs, marking this area as one of the brightest opportunities for the state’s economy, according to Karyn Page, CEO/President of the Kansas World Trade Center.

Afternoon sessions will deal with export opportunities in aerospace, agri-business and energy.

Registration is open to all Kansas business and individuals with an interest in developing an export market for their goods and services. Cost of the day’s event is $80, which includes a noon lunch. Students and educators with a university email address can register for $45. Full information about the conference is available by clicking on the Export Conference link on the Kansas World Trade Center website (www.kansaswtc.org).