DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) Trade Resources
The Nation’s Capital Washington D.C.
- DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) – DSLBD provides resources and support to small businesses in DC, including assistance with global trade and export promotion.
- DC Chamber of Commerce – The DC Chamber of Commerce offers a variety of resources and services to help businesses grow and succeed, including information on global trade and export opportunities.
- Mayor’s Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA) – MOAPIA offers resources and support to businesses in DC’s Asian and Pacific Islander communities, including assistance with international trade and exporting.
- Mayor’s Office on African Affairs (MOAA) – MOAA offers resources and support to businesses in DC’s African communities, including assistance with international trade and exporting.
- Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs (MOLA) – MOLA offers resources and support to businesses in DC’s Latino communities, including assistance with international trade and exporting.
- DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music & Entertainment (OCTFME) – OCTFME offers resources and support to businesses in the entertainment industry, including assistance with international distribution and licensing.
- DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) – DDOT offers resources and support to businesses involved in transportation and logistics, including information on global trade and exporting.
- DC Export Center – The DC Export Center offers resources and support to businesses interested in exporting, including training, counseling, and market research.
- DC Bar Pro Bono Center – The DC Bar Pro Bono Center offers legal assistance to small businesses in DC, including those involved in global trade and exporting.
- DC Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – The DC SBDC provides resources and support to small businesses in DC, including assistance with global trade and exporting.
- DC Women’s Business Center (WBC) – The DC WBC offers resources and support to women-owned businesses in DC, including assistance with global trade and exporting.
- DCRA Business Licensing Division – The DCRA Business Licensing Division provides licensing and permitting services to businesses in DC, including those involved in global trade and exporting.
- Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) – EXIM is a federal agency that provides financing and insurance to support U.S. exports. They offer resources and support to businesses involved in global trade, including information on financing and risk mitigation.
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) District Office – The SBA provides resources and support to small businesses across the country, including those involved in global trade. They offer information on exporting, financing, and other global business topics.
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce – The Chamber of Commerce of the United States is the world’s largest business organization. Our members range from the small businesses and chambers of commerce across the country that support their communities, to the leading industry associations and global corporations that innovate and solve for the world’s challenges, to the emerging and fast-growing industries that are shaping the future. For all of the people across the businesses we represent, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a trusted advocate, partner, and network, helping them improve society and people’s lives.
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation harnesses the power of business to create solutions for the good of America and the world. We anticipate, develop, and deploy solutions to challenges facing communities—today and tomorrow.
- Caribbean Cargo DC – Export Shipping Services from the Company That knows The Caribbean like no one else. Caribbean Cargo DC, LLC (CCDC) is a licensed and bonded company that is registered in the state of Maryland. The company, established in 2007, has rapidly progressed to become the premier shipping and freight forwarding small business enterprise in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area.
At CCDC, we specialize in Caribbean, Central and South American shipping because we know the business of air and ocean freight inside and out; and focus all of our experience on providing our customers with unparalleled service to these destinations.
The Great State of MARYLAND
- Maryland Department of Commerce: The Maryland Department of Commerce website provides information on how to start and grow a business in the state, including access to resources and services that can help small businesses sell their products in the global marketplace.
- Maryland Business Express: This website is a one-stop-shop for starting and managing a business in Maryland. It provides information on permits, licenses, and registrations needed to sell products in the state and beyond.
- Maryland.gov: The official website of the state of Maryland has a section on doing business in Maryland, which includes information on business registration, tax requirements, and other resources for small businesses.
- Maryland Small Business Development Center: The Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides free and low-cost resources to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, including assistance with marketing, sales, and international trade.
- ExportMD: ExportMD is a program that helps Maryland small businesses increase their exports and expand their global reach. The program provides funding and resources for small businesses to attend international trade shows and participate in trade missions.
- Maryland World Class Consortia: The Maryland World Class Consortia is a network of businesses and organizations dedicated to improving Maryland’s global competitiveness. It provides resources and support for small businesses looking to enter the global marketplace.
- Maryland Technology Development Corporation: The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) is a state-funded organization that provides funding and support to technology-based startups and small businesses. It also offers resources for businesses looking to expand globally.
- Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership: The Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MD MEP) provides resources and support to Maryland’s manufacturing industry, including assistance with exporting products to the global marketplace.
- World Trade Center Institute – We empower globally-minded business leaders from the Mid-Atlantic with ideas and connections to drive growth and global good. We focus on six issues: global business; security and international affairs; innovation; transformational leadership; environment and sustainability; and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Maryland Port Administration: The Maryland Port Administration oversees the Port of Baltimore, one of the busiest ports on the East Coast. The port provides access to international markets for Maryland businesses.
- Maryland Food Export Office: The Maryland Food Export Office provides assistance to Maryland’s food and agriculture businesses looking to expand their exports. It offers resources and services, including market research and trade show support.
- Maryland Trade Office: The Maryland Trade Office provides resources and assistance to Maryland businesses looking to enter the global marketplace. It offers market research, trade show support, and other services to help businesses expand their exports.
- Maryland World Trade Center: The Maryland World Trade Center is a business hub that provides resources and support to Maryland businesses looking to expand their global reach. It offers office space, networking opportunities, and other resources for small businesses.
- Greater Baltimore Committee: The Greater Baltimore Committee is a regional business organization that provides resources and support to businesses in the Baltimore area, including assistance with exporting products to the global marketplace.
- Baltimore Development Corporation: The Baltimore Development Corporation provides resources and support for businesses looking to start or expand in Baltimore. It offers assistance with international trade and market research.
- Maryland Chamber of Commerce: The Maryland Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization that provides resources and support for businesses in Maryland. It offers programs and events focused on international trade and global competitiveness.
- Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce: The Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce provides resources and support for businesses in central Maryland, including assistance with exporting products to the global marketplace.
- Frederick County Chamber of Commerce – The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce serves as the voice of business and provides strategic leadership and engagement in building the future of business and the community through information, collaboration, advocacy and services on behalf of the employers in our community.
- Montgomery County Business Center – The Montgomery County Business Center team is part of the Office of the County Executive and is focused on helping businesses start and grow in Montgomery County, Maryland. Our website is filled with information on starting, growing, and managing a business in Montgomery County including comprehensive, step-by-step guides with links to helpful resources.
- Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce – APACC fosters business-to-business relationships through frequent networking events and educational seminars throughout the year and strives to use its connections with Asian countries to help develop international business opportunities. APACC also is committed to business and community partnerships in education and other areas of mutual interest.
- Maryland Women’s Business Center – Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) works with entrepreneurs across Maryland’s capital region by way of three locations. Through our resources, we encourage women to start, sustain, and grow their businesses. Through workshops, individual counseling, facilitated peer group support, special resources, and access to capital, MWBC annually helps more than 1,500 women gain the skills, connections, and confidence necessary to navigate entrepreneurship.
- Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation – To advance equitable and inclusive economic growth, prosperity, and sustainability in Montgomery County through activities that accelerate the development, retention, and attraction of businesses in key industry sectors.
- Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce – The Chamber represents businesses located in Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Friendship Heights, Potomac, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Silver Spring, Washington, D.C., Prince George’s County, and Northern areas of Virginia. Membership in the Chamber is open to businesses of all types and sizes—from sole proprietorships to international companies. If you do business in the Washington Metropolitan Area, then the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce is the association for you. The Chamber Supports, inspires, and advocates for business to better our community and we strive to be the cornerstone for business, growth, and prosperity in Greater Bethesda.
- Greater Rockville Chamber of Commerce – The many initiatives of the Greater Rockville Chamber of Commerce include working with REDI, our economic development partner, positive collaboration with the city government, and supporting the community through advocacy and outreach programs. Our tailored committees and specific mastermind groups are an important part of the organization, and we encourage you to get involved.
- Gaithersburg- Germantown Chamber of Commerce – More than just a membership group, the GGCC possesses a powerful voice for legislative advocacy and activism for its members. This ranges from county to state legislative matters such as creating a strong economic climate, increasing transportation capacity, zoning issues and more. The GGCC is the “go to” influential force for businesses in Upper Montgomery County. Comprising more than 400 business members, the Chamber delivers the focused impact and creative solutions that set us apart.
- Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce – All strong organizations are defined by their mission statements. In the case of the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce, the mission is to serve as an engine for business and economic development that promotes both members and the City’s core value propositions. The activities and programs of the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce are envisioned, designed, and executed to build a vibrant and prosperous community through business leadership.
- Latino Economic Development Center – Our goal is to drive the economic and social advancement of low to moderate-income Latinos and other underserved communities in DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Puerto Rico by equipping them with the skills and tools to achieve financial independence and become leaders in their communities.
- Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Montgomery County – HCCMC provides a forum for matters affecting Hispanics and minorities in business. We advocate on behalf of the organization’s membership to achieve economic, educational, and social equality under the law, ensuring a positive and inclusive public image of Hispanic-owned businesses.
- Maryland Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC): Helps Maryland businesses compete for government contracts at the federal, state, and local levels.
The Great State of VIRGINIA
- Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) – VEDP is a state agency that helps businesses grow in Virginia by assisting with expansion, relocation, and workforce development. They offer services to help businesses navigate the global market, including international trade missions, market research, and more.
- Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD) – SBSD is a state agency that provides support and resources to small businesses in Virginia. They offer counseling, procurement opportunities, and other services to help businesses expand into global markets.
- Virginia Business One Stop – Virginia Business One Stop is a portal that provides access to various state and local resources for businesses. It includes information on exporting, international trade, and other global business topics.
- Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – The Virginia SBDC provides one-on-one counseling, training, and other resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. They offer resources to help businesses expand into international markets, including exporting and trade compliance.
- Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) – VDACS provides support and resources to businesses involved in agriculture, forestry, and other related industries. They offer resources to help businesses expand into international markets, including export assistance and market research.
- Virginia International Trade Alliance (VITAL) – VITAL is a partnership between the VEDP, SBSD, and other organizations that promotes international trade and investment in Virginia. They offer resources and support to businesses interested in exporting and expanding into global markets.
- Virginia Port Authority – The Virginia Port Authority operates the Port of Virginia, which is a major gateway for international trade. They offer resources and support to businesses involved in global trade, including information on logistics, customs, and more.
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) – The SBA provides resources and support to small businesses across the country, including those involved in global trade. They offer information on exporting, financing, and other global business topics.
- Virginia World Trade Center (VWTC) – The VWTC is a private non-profit organization that provides resources and support to businesses involved in global trade. They offer resources to help businesses expand into international markets, including trade missions and market research.
- Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA) – Since 1922, we have exclusively served as Industry’s Advocate™ and our mission is to create the best business environment in the United States for world-class advanced technology companies to manufacture and headquarter their operations for maximum productivity and profitability.
- Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center – Currently the largest structure (3.1 million square feet) in Washington, DC, the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (RRB/ITC) is owned by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and is operated by TCMA (A Drew Company). As the first and only federal building dedicated to both government and private use, it is mandated by Congress to bring together the country’s best public and private resources to create a national forum for the advancement of trade. Designated as the official World Trade Center, Washington, DC, the building houses a premier conference and event center, executive office space, retail and dining, and offers community entertainment and programming.
- Virginia Department of General Services (DGS) – DGS provides various services to state agencies and local governments in Virginia, including procurement, property management, and other support services. They also provide resources and information for businesses that want to do business with the state.
- Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce – Whether you are a small business owner, an employee in a large national firm, or part of a start-up company, the Hampton Roads Chamber offers targeted benefits, valuable resources, and unparalleled support that will help you and your business gain a competitive advantage and become more successful. Be part of a growing and vibrant network of Hampton Roads businesses who are working together to make our region the best place to live, work, and play. Serving Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, West Hampton Roads and Williamsburg.
- Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) – DOLI provides resources and information related to workplace safety, labor laws, and other employment-related issues. They also provide various services to employers and employees in Virginia.
- Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) – DPOR regulates various professions and occupations in Virginia, including real estate agents, contractors, and others. They provide information on licensing requirements and regulations for these professions.
- Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce – We are the largest and most influential Chamber of Commerce within the Greater Washington D.C. Metropolitan Region. The Northern Virginia Chamber has built and connected a network of business leaders from various backgrounds, all of whom seek to keep Northern Virginia a great place to do business. The opportunity to learn and engage from the Chamber and its members is unmatched in the region and I’m honored to be a part of it.
- Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce – Our mission is to empower our investors and members with the vision, leadership, and resources to achieve success, while contributing to the economic growth and quality of life in our business community.
- Northern Virginia Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce – NOVAHCC is a privately funded organization of trailblazers, partner sponsors, luminaries’ entrepreneurs, investors, community and philanthropic leaders who provide advice and support to enhance B2B and B2G opportunities, through procurement, business matchmaking, and networking for our members and partners alike. We are an international business solution center that welcomes people of all nationalities, ethnic backgrounds, and gender.
- Virginia Chamber of Commerce – Located in Richmond VA. Our MISSION is to be the leading non-partisan business advocacy organization that works in the legislative, regulatory, civic and judicial arenas at the state and federal level to be a force for long-term economic growth in the Commonwealth. Our VISION is to be the voice of the Virginia business community and the most influential business advocacy organization in the Commonwealth.
- United States Patent and Trademark Office – The USPTO registers trademarks based on the commerce clause of the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3). Under this system of protection, American industry has flourished. New products have been invented, new uses for old ones discovered, and employment opportunities created for millions of Americans. The strength and vitality of the U.S. economy depend directly on effective mechanisms that protect new ideas and investments in innovation and creativity. The continued demand for patents and trademarks underscores the ingenuity of American inventors and entrepreneurs. The USPTO is at the cutting edge of the nation’s technological progress and achievement.