WTC Denver

PRACTICAL TRAINING WITH REAL-WORLD APPLICATION

Professional Development in Global Trade – Your Way, On Your Schedule, To Meet Your Needs

Strengthen your understanding of international business, global trade policy and government regulations. The WTC Denver Institute covers all the fundamentals to support your international business initiatives plus advanced topics like compliance, intellectual property laws, cross-cultural communications and more. Our expert-led professional developments, seminars and virtual sessions use proven approaches and real-world examples to show you how to successfully navigate the complexities of global business.  Join us for live trainings with the opportunity for Q&A or learn on your own time with our On-Demand Library.

LICENSED CUSTOM BROKERS:
Select World Trade Center Denver Courses count towards continuing education credits!

World Trade Center Denver courses count towards CE credits for licensed customs brokers, Certified Customs Specialists, Master Customs Specialists, Certified Export Specialists, and Master Export Specialists. CE credits are essential for customs brokers to maintain their license and stay up-to-date on the latest regulations and procedures. World Trade Center Denver offers a variety of courses that count towards CE credits for customs brokers. These courses are taught by experienced professionals and cover a wide range of topics, including:

  • Import and export procedures
  • Customs classification
  • Trade compliance
  • Free trade agreements
  • Supply chain management

Register for a CE course today and learn how to stay up-to-date on the latest customs regulations and procedures.

  1. Import Logistics (1/25/2024) (4 CCS):
  2. Free Trade Agreement Documentation & Regulations (USMCA) (2/7/2024) (4 CCS/CES):
  3. International Contracting (2/15/2024) (4 CCS/CES):
  4. Export Documentation, Shipping & Insurance (1/31/2024) (4 CES)
  5. ITAR: International Traffic in Arms Regulations (5/8/2024 & 5/9/2024) (8 CCS/CES)
  6. Trade Finance (3/7/2024) (4 CCS/CES)
  7. Import Compliance Concepts (3/14/2024) (4 CCS)
  8. Export Compliance, Obligations & Risk Management (4/11/2024) (4 CES)
  9. Ethics in International Trade (4/24/2024) (8 CCS/CES)
  10. Tax & Your International Business (5/1/2024) (4 CCS/CES)
  11. International Law & IP Rights (Spring 2024) (4 CCS/CES)

Benefits of taking CE courses at the World Trade Center Denver:

  • Courses are taught by experienced professionals who are experts in their field.
  • Courses cover a wide range of topics relevant to customs brokers et al (CES, MES, etc.)
  • Courses are affordable and convenient, with both in-person and online options available.
  • Courses count towards CE credits required for customs broker license renewal.

If you are a customs broker, we encourage you to consider taking CE courses at the World Trade Center Denver. It is a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest regulations and procedures, and to ensure that you are providing your clients with the best possible service.

Badges

In addition to the option of taking just one training session, you can choose to complete a badge in Market Entry Strategy and/or Process Development and Compliance, or combine two badges and complete a Certificate in International Trade.  View the descriptions in the Training Catalog for details on which courses will be covered.

Certificate in International Trade

Build your professional acumen as you gain the knowledge and credentials you need to succeed in a globally competitive marketplace.

Customized Group Training

Take advantage of sessions tailored to suit your unique international business training needs. We work closely with you to design, coordinate, and deliver customized courses and workshops that will bring your group up to speed efficiently. These sessions can be held at your offices or ours. Either way, it will be in a private environment that gives attendees the freedom to discuss proprietary issues.

Internship Program 

Boost your international business skills and experience, network with the international business community and earn your Certificate in International Trade while being an intern with us.

Meet the Instructors

Myrna Ann Adkins Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning
Myrna Ann is President Emeritus of Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning, having served as its President and CEO from 1985-2014. She now is a consultant, trainer and facilitator on projects related to cross-cultural communication, diversity and refugees. In 2014, Myrna Ann was selected as the International Trade Educator of the Year by NASBITE.
Tanya Arnt Director of Global Trade Activator, World Trade Center Denver
Tanya oversees the Global Trade Activator/Incubator program for immigrants and the Accelerator Program for companies that are ready to launch into new international markets. Prior to this role, Tanya was the Director of Trade Institute at WTC Denver where she was responsible for modernizing trade education programs and converting in-person trainings into virtual and on-demand offerings. She led the Certificate of International Trade Program, Lunch and Learns, World Trade Day Conference, and International Business and U Conference
Jacqui Beckett Beckett Ethics
Jacqui Beckett is currently the President of Beckett Ethics and Compliance International, a global company helping companies create and implement compliance and ethics programs that work around the world. She has authored numerous articles and lectured on ethics and compliance and practical global program implementation at numerous seminars.
Patty Brewer SBA
Patty is an Export Finance Manager with the SBA’s Office of International Trade – one of 21 colleagues around the nation who help small businesses finance their exports and connect with experts on international trade. Before joining SBA, Patty was an underwriter at EXIM Bank where she worked in multiple lending divisions including Business Credit, Trade Finance, and Trade Credit Insurance. In her three years with the Trade Credit Insurance Division, she processed more than $186 million in short-term insurance transactions. During her ten years in Trade Finance, she completed 152 transactions supporting agricultural equipment, trailers, printers, heating systems, silos, and tractors.
Martin Capella Garritz International
Martín is a Co-founder, Managing Director at Garritz International (USA Office) and Head of Analytics and insights. Garritz International is a global boutique programmatic house. Delivering results since 2011, the agency operates under 3 core values: Transparency, Resilience and Technological knowledge. Garritz has offices in the Americas and Europe (Mexico City, Panama City, New York City, Frankfurt, Denver, Dallas, and Prague). Following an unusual trajectory, Martín was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and obtained a Masters degree in Music Composition and Theory from the New York University. This path took him from the world of classical music into advertising, from the creative side into the data driven side of digital marketing. In partnership with Julian Garritz (original founder & CEO) and Iñaki Mateos (Co-founder and Head of operations) Martín integrated the USA operations in the international rollout of the company.
Executive, Institute, & World Trade Day
Mark Cicotello Employer's Council (retired)
Mark has been with Employers Council, Inc. for 7 years as an HR Consultant, and he works with both private and public employers in the areas of: HR Strategy, Compensation Performance Management, International HR and Ethics. He was previously the Vice President of HR at Heska Corporation, HR Director of International Operations at Monsanto/Searle, and HR Director at Hewlett-Packard. He earned and maintains his professional certifications as a: Senior Human Resource Professional (SPHR), Global Professional Human Resources (GPHR), SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), and Certified Executive Compensation Professional (CECP).
Matt Clark CEO Pangea Consulting
With 25+ years of sales and management experience, Matt has been integral to global brand expansion, international sales execution, and Go-to-Market efforts for a wide variety of companies. Most notably, he led OtterBox to its first international office, establishing its EMEA headquarters in Cork, Ireland. Since then, he has established Pangea Consulting to guide high-growth companies into new international markets. This includes US companies expanding abroad, but also supporting foreign corporations as they enter the challenging US market. An avid traveler, Matt has lived or worked in 7 countries and has visited 70+ countries overall.
Executive, Institute, & World Trade Day
James Ferry Canadian Solar
James has a wide variety of business experience, both in international trade and otherwise. He worked as a Licensed Customs Broker for many years before moving to MolsonCoors. At MolsonCoors and Arrow Electronics, James was the Trade Compliance Manager, overseeing the import and export compliance functions of the large global business and global projects' teams. James is now a Trade Compliance Manager with Canadian Solar.
Brian Friedman CFA, CBE, GHP Investment Advisors
Brian is the President, Co-Founder, and Chief Investment Officer of GHP Investment Advisors, Inc. (GHPIA). Under Brian’s leadership, GHPIA’s client assets under management (AUM) grew from $10 million in 1999 to $1.9 billion today. Besides offering full-service personal wealth management, GHPIA operates a Global Markets division that allocates international portfolios according to a quantitative and qualitative analysis of a country’s approach to the rule of law. Brian, whose career includes stints as an economics analyst at the Brookings Institution and as an adjunct lecturer in economics at the University of Colorado at Denver, earned his B.A. in economics at the George Washington University and his M.B.A. at the University of Chicago.
Dave Glynn Holland and Hart
Dave is an attorney with Holland & Hart, LLP. He has recognized experience in conducting detailed internal investigations and audits related to export controls, trade sanctions, and customs law. Working with clients in the development, drafting, and implementation of compliance programs in various areas of federal regulatory law, he utilizes his extensive experience in export management systems and import compliance programs to help his clients achieve their goals. Dave also serves on the board of the World Trade Center Denver.
Harris Kalofonos Goodvoice Group
Over the past two decades, Harris has started two successful companies, worked at five Olympic Games, while in the process, collaborated with several teams and organizations around the world. He has also worked with high profiles companies like Panasonic N.A. Notably, he orchestrated a partnership with the U.S. Olympic Museum and International Olympic Academy to provide Olympic educational programming at scale, working alongside some of the industry's best minds. As a result, Harris was named one of the top 100 visionaries in business and education by the Global Forum of Education and Learning in 2020.
Peter Kinsella Perkins Coie LLP
Peter is a partner at Perkins Coie in the firm’s Technology Transactions & Privacy and Intellectual Property practices. His practice focuses on advising start-up, emerging and large companies on intellectual property, technology, licensing and transaction matters. Before joining the firm in 2010, Pete was a partner with Faegre & Benson. Prior to that, he worked in various legal capacities with Qwest Communications International, Inc. in Denver and Honeywell, Inc. in Minneapolis.
Craig Maginness Exln Global Strategies
Mr. Maginness has extensive real world experience in the development and implementation of international business strategies, export market entry, and the management of international operations. He teaches international business and other management courses in both the graduate school and undergraduate programs at various universities. He has been a frequent speaker on international business development and management for the US Chamber of Commerce, local chambers and business development centers and foreign business institutes. He was named the 2013 “Trade Educator of the Year” by NASBITE International. Mr. Maginness’s book “Go Glocal: The Definitive Guide to Success in Entering International Markets” was published in April 2018.
Laura Nolan Terumo, BCT
Laura Nolan is the Senior Manager, Global Logistics Programs, for Terumo BCT and has over 20+ years experience in customs and logistics. Laura serves on the Advisory Board for the Rocky Mountain Institute of the World Trade Center Denver and heads the Compliance Interest Group of the World Trade Center Denver.
Amanda Peaker Gallagher Transport International
Amanda is a Licensed Customs Broker with over 17 years’ experience working in many facets of the Logistics and Forwarding Industry including import, export, and domestic transportation. Amanda keeps a focus on the ever-changing import and export trade regulations involved with Customs, FDA, and other Partner Government Agencies to assist customer needs. She is currently Vice President for Gallagher Transport International, a logistics firm specializing in US Customs and Freight Forwarding. GTI, with offices in Denver and Portland/Vancouver, has maintained excellence in the logistics industry for over 25 years. Ms. Peaker is a member of the National Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association (NCBFAA) and Denver’s World Trade Center.
Robert Portnoy Mcarta
Robert is co-founder of Amazon-native white label sporting goods brands Rollerex and Adventure World and is an account manager at Macarta, an Amazon-focused digital marketing agency. Under Robert’s leadership, Rollerex and Adventure World have experienced consistent growth at 125% YoY and 20% MoM since 2015 selling primaily on Amazon’s US marketplace. At Macarta, he manages large brands such as Universal Music Group’s merchandising arms Bravado and Epic Rights as well as promising new startups like Robin Golf.
Tyler Rauert Attorney, Fortis Law Partners
Tyler is a business attorney for US and foreign clients in technology and heavily regulated and emerging industries in complex regulatory environments. He has worked for Pax 8 and Messner Reeves, LLP and then division counsel for a global division at Johns Manville in Denver. Prior to relocating to Denver, Tyler spent many years teaching at the National Defense University and working in the US Senate in Washington, DC.
Lizbeth Rodriguez-Johnson ReedSmith LLP
Lizbeth helps her clients develop, draft, and implement compliance programs in various areas of federal regulatory law. She has recognized expertise in conducting detailed internal investigations and audits related to export controls and trade sanctions. Lizbeth also drafts license application, commodity jurisdiction requests, technical assistance agreements, registration statements, license applications, and other international regulatory documents. Lizbeth serves on the board of advisors of the Institute for the World Trade Center Denver.
David Sanders Cassidy Levy Kent
Dave is a partner in Cassidy Levy Kent’s Washington office. Mr. Sanders has over twenty-five years of experience guiding Fortune 500 companies through complex customs and international trade matters. His practice focuses on the representation of clients before U.S. Customs and Border Protection in a wide range of proceedings, from ruling requests and appeals of agency actions to audits, seizures and penalty cases. His experience as an attorney-advisor in the Tariff Classification Branch and the Valuation Branch at U.S. Customs Headquarters in Washington, D.C., in the Office of Regulations and Rulings gives him an understanding of the successful strategies clients need to navigate customs matters.
Justin Seedorf Allianz Trade
Justin is a Regional Vice President for Allianz Trade North America. He has provided Trade Finance securitization solutions to exporters for over 10 years and currently runs the South West Region for Allianz Trade North America, the world’s largest credit insurer. He has a decade of experience working directly with Economic Development Agencies focusing on foreign trade and investment, Non Profit Industry Organizations who educate their members on trade finance, and with For Profit businesses educating on and creating solutions for securing trade finance.
Greg Steele University of Colorado, Boulder
Greg has more than 20 years of import & export compliance experience in high-tech manufacturing. Areas of expertise include; developing and implementing trade compliance processes, manuals, and audits, export jurisdiction determination, export licensing (ITAR, Commerce, NRC, DOE), free Trade Agreements (NAFTA, SFTA, IFTA, UKFTA), CBP broker management.
Jared Van Orden GPS Capital
Jared Van Orden is a Senior Foreign Exchange Advisor with GPS Capital Markets Inc. and works from their Headquarters in Salt Lake Utah and has been helping international companies in the Rocky Mountain region for the past 10+ years. Jared is a board member of the Salt Lake World Trade Center Chapter and holds a Master’s degree in accounting from Brigham Young University. Besides helping companies with currency issues, he holds the title of dad for his 6 kids.
Steve Schnepel Plante Moran
As a leader in our international tax services group, Steve assists clients with all of their cross-border tax needs. His expertise includes international sports and entertainment, cross-border tax planning, global expansion projects, U.S. foreign tax credit planning, repatriation planning, the U.S. anti-deferral regime, and the U.S. withholding tax regime. The majority of his clients are publicly and privately held businesses in the high-tech, manufacturing, distribution, professional services, energy, and telecom industries. He has always been fascinated by the field of international tax — and he considers it an honor to be seen as a technical resource on the subject by his colleagues. Helping people and businesses with their many and varied complex tax issues has been — and remains — a very satisfying part of his career.
David Williams Tower63
David started Tower63 to bring his years of experience to small and medium businesses that want to grow internationally. He takes a metrics- and performance-focused approach to management and brings a customer-centric and commercial orientation. David was President and COO at Global Publishing Solutions from 2018 to 2022 establishing a North America entity in Aerospace and Defense a first for a UK Company of GPSL’s size. His progressive career began with IBM in Europe and then in the US holding executive positions in global customer support, running call centers globally, brand marketing, business digital transformation, and ended up running a division of IBM in the Americas.