Elyse Eriksson Selected as British Airways 2010 International Face of Opportunity Winner

Jan. 10, 2011 - PRLog -- British Airways announced that Elyse Eriksson has been selected as a 2010 Face-of-Opportunity winner and has been awarded travel to anywhere in the world to conduct vital business meetings as well as attend the British Airways Face-of-Opportunity business conference. This award is part of the British Airways Face-to-Face program, which provides small business owners and entrepreneurs the critical tools for building business relationships abroad and stimulating growth through the power of face- to-face interaction.

Elyse currently serves as Director of Training for the International Trade Center-Small Business Development Center (SBDC)  in Dallas, TX.  The Center offers training in Import and Export.  SBDCs provide free counseling for small businesses starting out in international trade.  Her interest in the contest is to be able to connect the free services of the SBDCs to the many participants in the Face of Opportunity Contest.  Elyse noted,  "The British Airways promotion is the most important step in connecting companies with international markets, however beyond the initial meeting, exporting can be very complex.  I would like to connect the participants with the counselors of the International SBDCs, who can then walk them through the export process, step by step. The services are a joint venture with the SBA and are offered free of charge. Your tax dollars at work!"

Before taking off, Elyse and the other 249 finalists will attend the British Airways Face-of-Opportunity conference in New York City on Feb. 2, 2011 where the companies will receive free counsel from top influential international business experts while networking with venture capitalists, renowned entrepreneurs, media and other small business owners.

The conference,  which includes an introduction by Simon Talling-Smith, Executive Vice President Americas, British Airways, and  keynote speeches by Rhonda Abrams, best-selling author and USA Today small business columnist and Bill Rancic, best-selling author and first season winner of The Apprentice, will provide additional tools in business planning, marketing and travel to assist the companies.

British Airways is one of the world's largest international airlines.  Operating one of the most extensive international scheduled airline route networks, together with its codeshare and franchise partners, the airline flies to more than 300 destinations worldwide.  Also, one of the world's longest established airlines, it has always been regarded as an industry-leader.  

“We are very excited for this phase of the program and for the 250 small business owners who, beyond the educational resources already provided through the Face-to-Face program, now have the opportunity to fly British Airways overseas to conduct vital face-to-face meetings for their business,” said Simon Talling-Smith.  “Each of the winner’s stories is uniquely inspiring and our hope is that the program is a powerful catalyst in ensuring lasting and fruitful businesses for them.”

"I am thrilled to be part of this group of exciting, game-changing entrepreneurs and very impressed at the British Airways program," said Ms. Eriksson. " I look forward to learning from the British Airways experts and connecting many of the small businesses with the wonderful services of the International SBDCs."

Elyse Eriksson,  has obtained the designation of C.G.B.P., Certified Global Business Professional.  She is a lifelong entrepreneur and has been an integral  part in numerous successful small businesses.  As the Managing Partner of Taranis, LLC, she oversees several private business ventures.

Additional information on Face-to-Face is available by visiting the airlines website,  ba.com/facetoface.

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Taranis International is a group of independent consultants specializing in domestic and international business development.