Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA)
350 Church Street, Hartford, CT 06103-1126
Phone: 860-244-1900 Fax: 860-278-8562
CBIA is the state’s oldest and largest business association representing more than 10,000 Connecticut companies. CBIA’s International Trade Council (ITC) is a clearinghouse of information on international trade. Members of CBIA can call to find out sources of financing, where to get detailed marketing plans for specific countries and products, how to take advantage of free consulting on international trade and more. We can put you in touch with the right source and direct you to a specific person in each organization. CBIA has also developed several programs to help your company comply with the ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 series of quality standards. For information and pricing, call Jim Bell at 860/244-1900.
Connecticut’s Business Response Center
805 Brook Street, Building 4, Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Phone: 800- 571-7144 Fax: 860-571-7150
Connecticut’s Business Response Center offers a wealth of information on public and private programs throughout the state, including international finance and export trade services.
Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC)
805 Brook Street, Building 5, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3405
Phone: 860-571-6208 Fax: 860-571-7150
CERC is a private-sector, independent organization developed to respond professionally and promptly to the needs of business. They run Access International, a new point-of-entry for businesses in need of information and help with exporting and international trade. One call to a toll-free number will connect you with the state’s most comprehensive database of consultants, suppliers, services and support for Connecticut companies conducting international trade. This includes both public and private resources — state agencies, colleges and universities, independent consultants, and much more.
Connecticut Foreign Trade Association
P.O. Box 1601, Norwalk, CT 06582
Phone: 203- 927-4600 Fax: 203-927-4703
This is a networking group that meets once a month. They have about 85 corporate and individual members. Annual membership dues are $40 for individual and $75 for a company.
Connecticut International Trade Association
P.O. Box 974, East Granby, CT 06026
Phone: 860-653-8091 Fax: 860- 653-2218.
This is a networking group that meets once a month. They have 70-100 business and individual members. Annual membership is $30.
Connecticut Quality Council (CQC)
Rensselaer at Hartford, 275 Windsor Street, Hartford, CT 06120-2991
Phone: 860- 548-2418 Fax: 860- 548-7817
The CQC offers workshops on Total Quality topics, including the ISO 9000 quality standards and internal auditing.
Greater Hartford Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
250 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, CT 06103
Phone: 860-525-4451 Fax: 860-293-2592
The International Business Council of the Greater Hartford Chamber of Commerce helps companies expand their international business. It also makes the public and legislators more aware of the role that international trade plays in keeping Connecticut strong economically. The group offers seminars, networking and trade missions.
Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
900 Chapel St., 10th Floor, New Haven CT 06510
Phone: 203-787-6735 Fax: 203-782-4329
They hold programs on exporting and have an International Round Table.
Ireland Chamber of Commerce in the United States (ICCUSA)
1305 Post Road, Suite 205, Fairfield, CT 06430
Phone: 203-573-1441 Fax: 203-757-9313
The Ireland Chamber of Commerce in the U.S. is a non-profit corporate and professional member organization promoting trade and investment opportunities between the U.S. and Ireland. The Chamber actively supports U.S. exporters seeking to establish a presence in Ireland and facilitates Irish-based companies entering the U.S. market. The Chamber publishes a comprehensive U.S.-Ireland Trade Directory, organizes networking opportunities and executive briefings, and sponsors an annual trade mission to Ireland.
Korea International Trade Association (KITA)
1660 L Street NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202- 828-9282 Fax: 202- 828-9287
In addition to publishing the Korea Trade Focus, international trade specialist at KITA’s Washington, DC office are available to assist U.S. companies who are interested in doing business with or investing in Korea.
Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
393 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457
Phone: 860- 347-6924 Fax: 860- 346-1043
The Business Council of Fairfield County
One Landmark Square, Suite 300, Stamford, CT 06901
Phone: 203- 359-3220 Fax: 203- 967-8294
SACIA (Southwestern Area Commerce & Industry Association) is a regional business council formed in 1970 to serve Fairfield County. The association provides a wide range of services including professional development programs and seminars. SACIA works with regional groups and universities to provide programs with an international focus. International resources can be found in the “Resource Center” section of their Web site. SACIA also hosts a representative from the CT Export Assistance Center of the Dept. of Commerce once a month. The representative offers free individual consulting on exporting.
National Association of Credit Management Connecticut Inc.
P.O. Box 777, 52 national Drive, Glastonbury, CT 06033
Phone: 203- 659-2666 Fax: 203-659-1664
NCAM is a leading source for credit information. Courses in credit management are part of a certification program leading to professional designations. NACM-CT meetings provide for networking and a forum for the discussion of both domestic and international credit matters. They also provide both credit reporting and collection services.
The World Affairs Forum
800 Summer St., Ste 340, Stamford, CT 06901
Phone: 203- 356-0340 Fax: 203- 348-7130
The Forum is involved in promoting greater public understanding and discussion of the most important international issues of the day. A non-profit, non-partisan organization, the Forum sponsors a series of more than 40 lectures, cultural events and trips. There are morning, noon and evening lectures that take place in hotels, local corporations, colleges and cultural institutions. The program season runs from September through June, with a summer hiatus. The approximately 750 members come from Fairfield and Westchester counties; there are both individual and corporate memberships.
WestConn International Trade Association, Inc.
4 Daniels Farm Rd., Ste 383, Trumbull, CT 06611
Phone: 860-653-9040 Fax: 860-653-9640
WestConn is a prominent international trade organization, whose membership is made up from all facets of international trade. Along with developing new concepts, procedures and techniques to help perpetuate the expansion of international commerce, the fundamental objective of WestConn is the promotion of educational programs dealing with the pertinent issues of the industry. WestConn maintains regular monthly meetings and conducts other activities, which enables its members to gather, meet one another, and have a healthy exchange of ideas and dialogue.
World Affairs Council of CT
66 Forest Street, Hartford CT
Phone 860-241-6118 Fax 860- 241-6121
The Council focuses on social, cultural, political and economic international issues to help businesses and others be effective in the global environment. It runs an executive forum or business series annually, and hosts monthly luncheons on key issues. Annual membership is $35 for an individual, $60 for a non-profit and $350 for the executive forum. There are approximately 700 members.