The World Trade Center Tacoma invites all who are interested in starting up an export or import business to attend a three-part series on the “Basics of Exporting and Importing.”

The series will include export/import readiness, available resources, pricing methods, marketing ideas and business protocol.

Individuals may either sign up for individual classes, or take advantage of paying for two classes and attending the third class for free.

Each class is $50 for prepaid WTC Tacoma members and $75 a class for nonpaid members. Everyone is welcome.

PRODUCT AND PRICE
The first class will discuss product and price. This class will examine what trade is, and look into the pros and cons of exporting and importing.

Prospective markets, market research and how to prepare a product for both export and import will be explored.

Also highlighted will be methods of price a product, the importance of a business plan and resources.

This class will be held on Thursday, Feb. 26, at 3600 Port of Tacoma Rd., Room 104, between 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m.

PROMOTION AND DISTRIBUTION
The second class will focus on promotion and distribution. Information pertinent to shipping, finance and Inco terms will be discussed.

This class will be held on Thursday, June 17, at 950 Pacific Ave., Suite 310, between 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m.

PEOPLE AND PROTOCOL
The third class will cover people and protocol. Business protocol, intercultural communication, trade missions, as well as trade shows will be covered in the course.

This class will be held on Wednesday, October 13, at the Tacoma Dome during the Business Expo, between 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

For more information, call the World Trade Center Tacoma at 253/396-1022, or visit their Website at: www.wtca.org/html/upcoming_events.htm.