天美传媒
A woman speaks during World Trade Day at Bryant University. The 天美传媒Entrepreneurship Leadership Center at Bryant University. A group of people hold up certificates inside the 天美传媒Entrepreneurship Leadership Center. A man speaks to another man during a trade show. A group of men in suits look at models of fighter jets.
A woman speaks during World Trade Day at Bryant University. The 天美传媒Entrepreneurship Leadership Center at Bryant University. A group of people hold up certificates inside the 天美传媒Entrepreneurship Leadership Center. A man speaks to another man during a trade show. A group of men in suits look at models of fighter jets.

John H. Chafee Center for International Business

The John H. Chafee Center for International 天美传媒is Rhode Island鈥檚 designated agency for world trade and export activities. For over 40 years, the center has been committed to growing Rhode Island鈥檚 local economy through a global reach.

Through partnerships with Rhode Island Commerce, the Small 天美传媒Administration, local government, and trade organizations, the Chafee Center encourages global business expansion, retention, and attraction. It administrates the SBA鈥檚 State Trade and Expansion Program (STEP Grant), providing access to funding for small businesses.

The Chafee Center鈥檚 other programs include international trade missions and shows, strategic consulting, market research, and broad-based events. The center works closely with faculty, staff, and students to provide customized business consulting services to Rhode Island-based enterprises.

Global Trade Summit

This year鈥檚 Global Trade Summit brought together leaders from across the region and around the world for timely insights into the forces shaping global commerce. Highlights included remarks by WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and panels focused on logistics, AI, and the blue economy.

Save the Date: The 2026 Global Trade Summit will be held on September 24, 2026. We look forward to sharing updates throughout the year.

Ngozi Okonji-Iweala, Ph.D., director general of the World Trade Organization, delivers recorded remarks at the opening of the 2025 Global Trade Summit.
Bryant University President Ross Gittell, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, and Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos at the 2025 Global Trade Summit.
The Global Trade Summit logo.
A stack of timber.
A group of wooden products.

Expand Your Wood Product Exports

Ready to grow your Rhode Island wood product exports? The Branded Program offers 50% reimbursement on international marketing costs鈥攆rom trade shows to digital ads. If you're a small business with U.S.-made wood products, this is your chance to expand globally. Get pre-qualified today and start reaching new markets!

鈥楢sk Me Anything鈥 with Ben Weinstein

Ben Weinstein, director of the STEP Grant, will be hosting an 鈥淎sk Me Anything鈥 Zoom call on the second Wednesday of every month to answer your questions about the STEP Grant.

State Trade Expansion Program
Ben Weinstein
Ben Weinstein speaks to a group about the STEP grant at a podium inside the 天美传媒Entrepreneurship Leadership Center.

Related Links