The Maryland/Washington D.C. District Export Council, Inc.
The Maryland/Washington D.C. District Export Council, Inc. is one of more than 50 District Export Councils or "DECs" throughout the United States. DECs are organizations of leaders from local business communities, appointed by successive Secretaries of Commerce since 1973, whose knowledge of international business provides a source of professional advice for local firms. Working closely with Department of Commerce U.S. Export Assistance Centers ("USEACs"), DEC members volunteer their time to sponsor and participate in numerous trade promotion activities. Like the USEACs, they are especially focused on assisting small and medium sized exporters.
The Maryland/Washington D.C. District Export Council, Inc. ("MD/DC DEC") consists of international business leaders from Maryland and Washington. As such, it works closely with the Baltimore USEAC (www.buyusa.gov/baltimore) and with the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service of the Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C. (www.buyusa.gov).
A National DEC Steering Committee provides informal guidance to local DECs and coordinates some activities such as legislative issues (www.us-dec.com). Each year a National DEC Conference is hosted by one or more of the local DECs for the entire U.S. DEC membership and other interested parties (www.decconference.com).
How To Join
DEC members are appointed by the Secretary of Commerce to 4 year terms following recommendation by the DEC Chair and the USEAC Director. As DEC members are appointed to high visibility positions and their activities reflect on the Secretary and the Department of Commerce, there is an extensive vetting process to determine suitability and eligibility. Each DEC may also include associate members who have not yet been formally appointed but who represent organizations that support the DEC mission. Each DEC has a targeted membership of 30 persons. For a list of current MD/DC DEC members click the "Members" button. For information about joining the MD/DC DEC contact Fred Lissauer, DEC Vice Chair, at 410-771-7583 or Fred_Lissauer@mccormick.com.
“MD/DC District Export Council Sponsors Include CTRL Systems, Inc., M&T Bank, Marlin Steel, Maryland Port Administration, Maryland-China Business Council, Inc., McCormick & Company, Inc.”
Mission
The mission of the MD/DC DEC is to promote US exports from the Maryland/Washington, D.C. region by supporting the activities of the Baltimore USEAC and by initiating or supporting such other export related activities as the DEC may decide from time to time.
