About

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).

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.

Activities

The MD/DC DEC conducts its business through 6 committees, each headed by a senior DEC member:

• The Trade Advocacy Committee coordinates the DEC's response to issues such as existing or proposed Federal and state legislation or regulation that the DEC decides are important to the promotion of US exports. This includes researching such issues and recommending an appropriate response such as organizing forums of interested parties to more fully understand specific trade issues, writing letters to legislators or regulators, and meeting with legislators or regulators. This committee also manages the DEC's membership in and support of organizations such as The U.S. - Middle East Free Trade Coalition, The Business Coalition for U.S. Central America Trade and the U.S. -Peru Trade Coalition.
• The Export Counseling Committee works with the Baltimore USEAC to provide DEC members with special skills such as international finance, logistics, marketing, legal, etc. for counseling local exporting companies. Such counseling is generally in conjunction with USEAC staff.
• The Internship Committee manages two separate programs designed to give local college undergraduate students experience in international business. The Peter Osterchrist Memorial Scholarship Program provides DEC funding for the daily travel and meal expenses of interns working at the Baltimore USEAC. The "E" Award Internship Program provides an experienced DEC mentor to work with an intern assigned to complete a local company's application for the prestigious Presidential "E" Award for Excellence in Exporting (typically, one such award is applied for and awarded each calendar year).
• The Membership Committee is responsible for recruiting and qualifying new members and working with the DEC Executive Secretary/USEAC Director to submit new and renewal applications for DEC membership to the Secretary of Commerce.
• The Seminars Committee provides speakers and other support to the Baltimore USEAC's regular schedule of seminars and conferences. Occasionally the DEC may organize and conduct its' own seminars. Seminars are the DEC's primary method of fund raising.
• The Technology Outreach Committee works to encourage more exporting by technology companies. This involves providing advice directly to such companies as well as working with relevant government and educational organizations in the region.

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.