Southeastern Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (SETAAC) project manager Maria Mar Hill just completed Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) accreditation, a widely recognized standard of excellence for expertise in international trade.
A program of the Enterprise Innovation Institute (EI2), SETAAC was established in 1974 through a grant from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce to help manufacturing firms compete globally. CGBP is offered through the nonprofit NASBITE International, which provides global business education and trade credentialing.
“SETAAC clients are negatively impacted by cheaper imports, so understanding import-export issues, tariffs, etc., helps me better focus on challenges affecting their specific industries,” Hill said of her inspiration for pursuing the certification.
Hill added that completing the certification “was my main professional development goal for this year. I was thinking about how I can be more relevant, and it’s opening a lot of doors for me.”
As she progressed through the certification self-study, Hill was impressed anew by the complexity of global trade, noting that each product has its own codes and requirements.
The certification required one year of preparation that culminated in a four-hour-long exam. The training program encompassed books, study guides, and a short sample test, as well as supportive webinars and chat lines.
“This was a very difficult exam,” said Hill. “To maintain certification, I must obtain a minimum of 10 credits on accredited classes, events, and so on. Considering how rapidly trade is changing, there is constant learning.”
As a CGBP, Hill can now access an expanded number of resources and make them available for SETAAC clients who want to explore exportation of product or services.
Said SETAAC Director Tracy Barth, “Maria’s CGBP certification reinforces SETAAC’s commitment to providing world-class support to trade-impacted manufacturers. Her advanced knowledge of global trade practices ensures we continue delivering strategic, high-value guidance to the businesses we serve throughout the Southeast.”
More than 2,000 global business professionals have qualified for the CGBP designation. Along with Hill, there are five total in the state of Georgia.