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Take Your Business Beyond Borders

Helping small and mid-sized businesses move from learning about exporting to pursuing international growth through curated resources, a World Trade Center International Trade Certificate Program, and continued support for companies ready to expand into new markets.

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Unlock New Customers, New Markets, and New Revenue

Export Houston helps small and mid-sized businesses take the next step in international growth, whether they are exploring exporting for the first time, preparing to enter a market, or looking to expand into new markets.

Through practical training, tools, and access to Houston’s trade ecosystem, businesses can build their export knowledge, develop a strategy, and connect with the organizations and experts that can help along the way.

The program grows with businesses as they gain export experience. Companies can begin with the free Resource Library, advance to the World Trade Center International Trade Certificate Program for more in depth training, and eventually apply for a selective yearlong cohort designed for experienced exporters entering new markets.

Houston's Leading Trade Ecosystem

Export Houston brings together Houston’s leading trade organizations, giving businesses direct access to the expertise, resources, and support they need to navigate exporting. The program was developed jointly by the Greater Houston Partnership, which serves as World Trade Center Houston, the U.S. Commercial Service, EXIM Bank, and Port Houston with supporting expertise and information provided by U.S. Small Business Administration.

The U.S. Small Business Administration participates in Export Houston by providing expertise and information on resources available to small businesses pursuing international growth.

SBA’s participation is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any other person or entity.

Start with the program that best fits where your business is today.

EXPORT HOUSTON

1. Explore Exporting

Export Houston Resource Library

 

Access free tools, guides, and partner resources to understand export readiness, market selection, financing, compliance, logistics, and international sales.

VIEW RESOURCE LIBRARY

2. Build Your Export Knowledge

World Trade Center International Trade Certificate Program

 

Gain practical, expert led training over three days and connect directly with the organizations that help businesses enter and expand in global markets.

 

Upon successful completion, participants and their companies earn a World Trade Center International Trade Certificate issued through World Trade Center Houston.

register for fall 2026

3. Accelerate International Growth

Export Houston Cohort

 

A select group of experienced exporters will have the opportunity to participate in a yearlong cohort focused on entering new markets and growing international sales through individualized guidance, partner connections, and hands on support.

 

Participation in the Export Houston Cohort is limited and requires a separate application and selection process.

Application coming soon

Export Houston Resource Library

The Export Houston Resource Library provides tools, guides, and partner resources to support businesses at each stage of the export process. Designed to support companies before, during, and after the certificate program, the library offers practical resources across key areas of the export process.

View Resource Library

Export Readiness

Assess your company’s capabilities, resources, and preparedness to pursue international growth.

Market Research and Target Market Selection

Explore tools and data to identify markets with the strongest potential for your products or services.

Export Financing

Learn about financing programs, grants, insurance, and other resources that can support international sales.

Compliance and Documentation

Understand key regulations, export controls, documentation requirements, and country specific standards.

Logistics and Supply Chain

Navigate shipping, customs, freight, insurance, and other considerations involved in delivering internationally.

International Sales and Business Development

Build strategies for finding buyers, developing partnerships, and growing your business in global markets.

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World Trade Center International Trade Certificate

 

Whether exploring exporting for the first time or an experienced exporter looking to expand into new markets, this offering is best suited for small to mid-sized businesses that:

  • Have products or services ready for international markets
  • Want to grow revenue through international sales
  • Seek practical export guidance and support from trusted resources
  • Are interested in connecting with federal and local organizations that can support their international growth

Participation is limited to one representative per company.

Upon successful completion of the program, both the participant and their company receive a World Trade Center International Trade Certificate issued through World Trade Center Houston.

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WHY PARTICIPATE?

 

Participants will:

  • Identify the most promising international markets for their products or services
  • Develop a practical export strategy tailored to their business
  • Gain the knowledge and tools to navigate market entry, financing, logistics, compliance, and risk
  • Connect with export advisors, government agencies, and industry experts
  • Earn a World Trade Center International Trade Certificate upon successful completion
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WHAT YOU’LL GAIN

 

Over three days, participants will work through the key building blocks of exporting, including:

  • Export readiness assessment
  • Market selection and entry strategy
  • Export financing and trade resources
  • Compliance and regulatory requirements
  • International logistics and supply chain planning
  • Risk management and payment security
  • International sales and customer acquisition

The World Trade Center International Trade Certificate Program culminates in a capstone project in which teams develop an export strategy for a mock company and present their recommendations to a panel of judges.

Participants also leave with:

  • Direct connections to Houston’s export support ecosystem
  • Practical tools and resources to support implementation
  • A better understanding of where to turn for support as their export strategy evolves
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World Trade Center International Trade Certificate

FALL 2026 DETAILS

 

Program Dates

The Fall 2026 certificate program will take place:

Friday, October 23
Monday, October 26
Tuesday, October 27

Participants who successfully complete the program will earn a World Trade Center International Trade Certificate issued through World Trade Center Houston, recognizing their commitment to international business growth.

 

Program Cost

$1,000 for Greater Houston Partnership member companies
$1,500 for nonmember companies

Register for fall 2026
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WHY IT MATTERS

 

More than 95% of the world’s consumers live outside the United States, creating significant opportunities for companies that are ready to export.

By helping more Houston companies export, the program supports business growth, job creation, customer diversification, and the region’s long term economic competitiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need prior export experience?

No. The World Trade Center International Trade Certificate Program is designed for both companies exploring exporting for the first time and businesses seeking to expand into new international markets.

No. The World Trade Center International Trade Certificate Program is designed for both companies exploring exporting for the first time and businesses seeking to expand into new international markets.

What types of companies can participate?

The program is open to small and mid-sized businesses across industries, including manufacturers, service providers, technology companies, and other firms with international growth potential.

The program is open to small and mid-sized businesses across industries, including manufacturers, service providers, technology companies, and other firms with international growth potential.

Can service-based businesses participate?

Yes. International growth opportunities extend beyond physical products, and many program topics apply to service exporters as well.

Yes. International growth opportunities extend beyond physical products, and many program topics apply to service exporters as well.

Who should attend from my company?

We recommend a business owner, executive, or senior leader responsible for growth strategy, business development, operations, or market expansion.

We recommend a business owner, executive, or senior leader responsible for growth strategy, business development, operations, or market expansion.

Will presentations and materials be provided afterward?

Yes. Participants will receive access to program materials and resources to support implementation after the certificate program.

Yes. Participants will receive access to program materials and resources to support implementation after the certificate program.

What is the capstone project?

The capstone brings together what participants have learned throughout the program. Working in teams, participants will develop recommendations for a mock company looking to expand internationally, determine the best path forward, and present their approach to a panel of trade experts who will provide feedback.

The capstone brings together what participants have learned throughout the program. Working in teams, participants will develop recommendations for a mock company looking to expand internationally, determine the best path forward, and present their approach to a panel of trade experts who will provide feedback.

Is the program offered virtually?

The Fall 2026 World Trade Center International Trade Certificate Program is designed as an in-person experience to maximize engagement, networking, and interaction with subject matter experts.

The Fall 2026 World Trade Center International Trade Certificate Program is designed as an in-person experience to maximize engagement, networking, and interaction with subject matter experts.

What will my company leave with?

Participants will leave better equipped to evaluate export opportunities, navigate the export process, and make informed decisions about entering new markets. They will also gain practical resources and direct connections to the organizations and experts available to support their business beyond the program.

Participants will leave better equipped to evaluate export opportunities, navigate the export process, and make informed decisions about entering new markets. They will also gain practical resources and direct connections to the organizations and experts available to support their business beyond the program.

How is Export Houston different from other export training programs?

Export Houston provides a step-by-step approach to exporting, with programs designed to support businesses as their needs and experience evolve. Companies can start by learning the fundamentals of exporting, build their skills and knowledge through more in-depth training, and progress to a selective cohort for experienced exporters looking to enter new markets.

Throughout the program, businesses also benefit from the expertise of the U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Small Business Administration, EXIM Bank, Port Houston, and industry experts across the region. Participants can also earn an International Trade Certificate from World Trade Center Houston, a credential available exclusively through a World Trade Center.

What makes the program worth the investment?

The cost of entering a new market can be significant when mistakes occur. Export Houston helps companies reduce risk, identify opportunities, and connect with trusted experts who can support international growth efforts.

The cost of entering a new market can be significant when mistakes occur. Export Houston helps companies reduce risk, identify opportunities, and connect with trusted experts who can support international growth efforts.

What is included in the registration fee for the World Trade Center International Trade Certificate Program?

Program tuition includes all three certificate program sessions, educational materials, access to the Export Houston Resource Library, capstone project participation, and the World Trade Center International Trade Certificate upon successful completion.

Program tuition includes all three certificate program sessions, educational materials, access to the Export Houston Resource Library, capstone project participation, and the World Trade Center International Trade Certificate upon successful completion.

Can more than one person attend from my company?

Registration is limited to one participant per company. Additional participation opportunities may be available in future programs.

Registration is limited to one participant per company. Additional participation opportunities may be available in future programs.

Will I have access to export resources after the program ends?

Yes.

Participants will continue to have access to the Export Houston Resource Library, connections to partner organizations, and relevant Partnership resources after completing the World Trade Center International Trade Certificate Program.

Experienced exporters may also have the opportunity to apply for the Export Houston Cohort, a yearlong program providing more individualized guidance and support for companies pursuing new international markets.

 

What is the Export Houston Cohort?

The Export Houston Cohort is a yearlong program designed for a select group of experienced exporters seeking to enter new markets and grow international sales.

Selected companies receive individualized guidance, connections to export partners and industry experts, and support addressing company specific challenges as they pursue new opportunities.

Participation requires a separate application and selection process.

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Take the First Step Toward International Growth

Sophia Lewis

Manager, International Investment & Trade

e: slewis@houston.org

Build your export strategy, connect with experts, and prepare your company for international growth.

Learn more about Export Houston