Export Project Helps Illinois Companies Market in Argentina

Two Central Illinois companies looking to sell their products in South America are getting valuable trade and marketing assistance from Illinois State University’s Export Project.  The multidisciplinary project is also giving Illinois State University students a unique opportunity to gain international business and marketing experience in Argentina this summer.

Export Project team members include faculty and students from Illinois State’s College of Business and College of Applied Science and Technology.  Student team members are conducting research and writing export marketing plans for Peoria-based sun wear manufacturer Maui Jim and for Carus Corporation, a Peru-based water purification and treatment business, both of which plan to expand business into Argentine markets. 

Student teams are helping both companies by investigating Argentina’s trade policies as well as logistical, legal, tax and business competition issues.  Student team members will travel to Buenos Aires for three weeks this coming summer, along with Marketing Department faculty members Peter Kaufman and Horace Melton, to conduct field research.  Market research in Argentina will include visits to the U.S. Commercial Service to meet with retail and agriculture experts and the evaluation of retail environments and distribution systems.

Since the Export Project’s inception in 2005, student and faculty teams have worked several small to medium-sized Illinois companies market their products in New Zealand and Germany.  In 2007, a two-year U.S. Department of Education grant, along with matching University funds, allowed the Export Project to expand its operations and partner with more companies.  The grant funding also allowed the College of Business to enhance its international business curriculum with new class offerings and faculty development opportunities.

Faculty members in the Export Project include Iris Varner, a professor of international business and director of the College of Business’ International Business Program; Peter Kaufman and Horace Melton, assistant professors of marketing; Mark Hoelscher, director of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies; Aslihan Spaulding, an assistant professor of agriculture; and Klaus Schmidt, an associate professor of technology.

Students participating in this year’s Export Project include Roseanna Fugate, international business; Michelle Prinsloo, international business/organizational leadership; Laura Kane, international business; Michael Kodat, marketing; Tim Schmidgall, agribusiness; and Natalie Drew, international business.

For more information on the Export Project contact Iris Varner at (309) 438-7843 or izvarner@ilstu.edu