(March 18, 2014) The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Institute for Economic Development announced today that Robert McKinley, Associate Vice President for Economic Development, has been selected to receive the National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE) International 2014 Advancing International Trade Award for the State of Texas, at the NASBITE International Conference in Memphis, Tennessee, April 2-4, 2014.
NASBITE International is an educational organization dedicated to developing international trade professionals through the Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) exam and credential, training programs, and the annual conference. NASBITE International has been working to raise the level of practice in the field, provide professional development goals and showcase competency for those practicing international trade and related professions. The NASBITE CGBP credential provides a benchmark for competency in global commerce and demonstrates an individual’s ability to conduct global business.
Robert McKinley and the Institute for Economic Development have been deeply involved in promoting the CGBP credential and training practitioners for the CGBP exam through the work of the Institutes’ International Trade Center. The Center was the first organization in the US to offer CGBP training and was the first organization to be recognized by NASBITE International as an accredited CGBP training provider. Since 2005 the Center has trained over 250 professional and has achieved an 88% passing exam rate, compared to the 75% national average.
For over a decade the Institute has led the international expansion of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) model by providing expert guidance, hands-on training, and accreditation standards as well as operational technical assistance to foreign partners. Building SBDC networks in foreign countries is providing more small and medium enterprise competitiveness, new trade opportunities, and is promoting economic integration internationally.
“Increasing international trade and strengthening international markets for US goods are key components of the Institutes mission to develop the regional economy,” said McKinley. “What this award tells me is that the direction that my team and I have been going is working to boost the business presence of Texas in the global marketplace, and that Texans are benefitting from increased trade. It’s a real honor to be recognized by this outstanding organization.”
Plans are being made for a group of UTSA representatives, including McKinley, to attend the conference in Memphis this April to accept the award.
