Mary Kay, Inc. Global Import/Export Administration Experts to Speak at Import Training Seminar

March 9, 2010 - PRLog -- The Global Market Series-Import Certification, an award winning series presented by industry experts and certified by the Institute for Supply Management, Dallas, will be available by webinar/seminar for the first time and will feature Diane Divin, Manager, Global Import/Export Administration and Sheila Pratt, Graduate Gemologist, Promotional Procurement, both of Mary Kay, Inc. on March 11th, 2010.

Diane Divin has been the Manager of Global Import/Export for the Mary Kay Corporation for 15 years.  She structures Mary Kay Inc.'s  global Import/Export programs, internal website and training procedures.  She initiates and oversees international trade software systems and manages the global Import/Export team.  This team oversees all imports/exports globally, from raw materials to finished goods and from cosmetics to equipment and technology, between 40 countries. She is a member of multiple international trade organizations and has spoken at conferences from Washington DC to San Francisco.  In 2001, along with 24 other women, she was featured in an article in the Journal of Commerce, on successful women around the world in the field of International Trade and Commerce.

Sheila Pratt has worked with Mary Kay Inc. for 6 years.   She handles all purchasing, custom designing and sources both fine and costume jewelry for Mary Kay Inc. world wide.   She also provides gemological consultation in regard to the importing of jewelry products from primarily China, Taiwan, Italy, Brazil, and Mexico for Mary Kay U.S. and international subsidiaries. She also spent 14 years with J.C. Penney Corporate purchasing offices in Plano TX. handling the purchasing and importing of fine jewelry as well as women's accessories products.   Sheila has also worked with the international fine jewelry companies Cartier and Fred Joaillier assisting with carnets of high end jewelry products.   She has worked in the jewelry industry for 25 years.  

The Import seminar series welcomes other leading industry experts on related topics including: how to establish a decision making process to compare outsourcing options; how to determine landed costs; the key components and best practices in international supply chain management; how the use of an FTZ might work for your company or product; the role of a customs broker and freight forwarder; the most common international payment mechanisms; the legal agreements and forms used in an import purchase transaction and become familiar with  C-TPAT and other current compliance topics.

The complete Import Session Series dates are March 11, 18 and 25, 2010.  
Times: 8am-noon & 1:00-2:30 pm. Location: by webinar or in person at Bill J. Priest Institute, 1402 Corinth St., Dallas, TX 75215

Contact: 214-747-1300 or Elyse Eriksson, Director of Training, eeriksson@dcccd.edu

Registration: www.iexportimport.com

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The International Trade Center-SBDC, Dallas, TX, provides counseling and training on international trade issues,importing and exporting. Services include: free one-on-one counseling, free online counseling, free market research and low cost training. The International Trade Center is a proud member of the North Texas Small Business Development Center Network.