KJ Institute Hosts North America Business Summit, Connecting U.S. Market Opportunities, Trade Resources and Business Leaders
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. — August 26, 2026 — KJ Institute , a nonprofit organization focused on connecting businesses with resources and opportunities, hosted the KJI North America Business Summit on August 26 in Orange County, bringing together government representatives, international trade professionals, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community representatives to discuss U.S. market opportunities, international trade, e-commerce, and cross-border business development.
Held at the East West Culture and Arts Foundation in Orange County, the invitation-only forum brought together approximately 30 entrepreneurs, trade professionals, and community business leaders for a focused exchange on the practical challenges and opportunities facing companies seeking to enter or expand in the U.S. and international markets.
With the global trade environment continuing to evolve and cross-border e-commerce expanding rapidly, the summit focused on practical strategies for companies navigating international expansion, including U.S. market entry, trade policy, export development, international business compliance, e-commerce, supply chains, and local business resources.
Connecting Businesses with High-Quality Resources
KJ Institute President Jennifer Liu said the summit was designed to provide Southern California entrepreneurs and business leaders with a practical and efficient platform for direct communication and resource exchange.
Unlike large-scale conferences, the KJI North America Business Summit emphasizes a small-scale, professional format that enables government representatives, international trade experts, business executives, and organizational leaders to engage in direct conversations, exchange experiences, identify potential partnerships, and explore new business opportunities.
Liu noted that companies entering new international markets often face a wide range of challenges, including understanding trade policies, conducting market research, securing financing, selecting reliable business partners, protecting intellectual property, and establishing local operations.
She emphasized that U.S. government agencies and nonprofit organizations offer a broad range of high-quality resources and support services, many of which are available at no cost. KJ Institute aims to help entrepreneurs, particularly those building businesses in the United States, better understand and utilize these resources through professional, invitation-based networking and educational programs.
Since its establishment, KJ Institute has organized forums and networking programs covering education, culture, international trade, technology, and other areas. Drawing on its experience working with community, government, and business leaders, the institute seeks to connect companies and organizations with reliable resources and professional networks while contributing to the growth and development of the broader AAPI business community.
International Business Expert Shares Practical Export Strategies
One of the highlights of the summit was a keynote presentation by William “Bill” Edwards, Chair of the Southern California District Export Council and Chair of the World Affairs Council of Orange County. Edwards has more than 50 years of experience in international business and has served on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Services Industry Trade Advisory Committee (ITAC), providing recommendations on international trade and franchising issues.
Under the theme “EXPORT & INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS: A Practical Playbook for Growing Companies,” Edwards shared practical insights into U.S. export opportunities, global e-commerce, international market-entry strategies, and the risks associated with overseas expansion.
Edwards emphasized that digital platforms and e-commerce have significantly lowered the barriers for businesses seeking to reach international consumers. However, he cautioned that the ability to sell products overseas does not necessarily mean a company has successfully entered an international market.
He encouraged businesses to use e-commerce and artificial intelligence tools to test and validate market demand before making significant investments. Companies should then develop appropriate strategies for brand protection, partner selection, business-model design, and local operations.
He also advised companies to prepare for the potentially lengthy process of international business negotiations and market development, emphasizing the importance of maintaining adequate cash flow and adopting a long-term approach to overseas expansion.
A more detailed report on Edwards’ presentation and his practical five-step framework for international business expansion will be published separately.
U.S. Commercial Service Highlights Export Resources
Richard M. Swanson Jr., Acting Director of the Orange County Office of the U.S. Commercial Service, also participated in the summit and introduced the role and services of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration and U.S. Commercial Service.
Swanson shared information on programs and activities that may benefit companies seeking to begin exporting, expand their international business, develop cross-border e-commerce operations, or enter new overseas markets.
His presentation provided participants with a better understanding of the export-support infrastructure available to Southern California businesses and the resources that companies can access when developing international markets.
Government, Business and Community Leaders Participate
The forum was moderated by Fangfei Dong, a Senior Research Fellow at the USC Gould School of Law Center for Transnational Law and Business and a board member of the Orange County International Trade Women’s Organization.
Representatives from federal, state, and local government offices, as well as business organizations and companies across Southern California, attended the event.
John Ding, representing California State Senator Steven Choi’s office, and Newton Viengkhou, representing California State Assemblymember Phillip Chen’s office, presented congratulatory letters to the organizers.
Other industry and community leaders who participated in the program included Lisa Li, Secretary-General of the East West Culture and Arts Foundation; Jack Wang, General Manager of Glymate USA; Baoliang Li, President of California FTZ Industry Park; David Wang, Co-Founder and COO of ADVAN Homes; and Alexander Kim, Chairman of the Orange County Asian Business and Energy Alliance.
Participants represented a wide range of sectors, including technology, consumer brands, education, energy, professional services, e-commerce, international trade, logistics, franchising, and community-based businesses.
Building a North American Business Network
The summit also provided participants with an opportunity to engage in direct, face-to-face discussions in an intimate setting at Ning Zhou Gallery. Entrepreneurs and business leaders were able to raise questions directly with government representatives and trade professionals while sharing their own experiences and exploring potential areas of collaboration.
Participants said the discussions provided a broader perspective on international trade and helped them better understand the scale of U.S. export opportunities, available government resources, and the practical considerations involved in entering international markets.
The event also highlighted the growing role of e-commerce and artificial intelligence in market validation and international business development, as well as the importance of brand protection, partner selection, compliance, logistics, and local operations after entering a new market.
From Southern California to Global Markets
Against the backdrop of changing global supply chains, expanding cross-border e-commerce, and the continued growth of the digital economy, KJ Institute said it will continue to create opportunities for businesses to connect with government resources, trade professionals, industry experts, and potential partners.
Rather than focusing solely on broad discussions of global trade trends, the institute aims to combine professional knowledge, government resources, and real-world business needs to help companies identify practical pathways for international growth.
“The future is already here, and the distance to global markets is closer than ever.” Through continued learning, professional exchange, and strategic networking, KJ Institute seeks to help businesses better understand overseas market opportunities, make effective use of U.S. government export resources, and build sustainable business networks across North America.
KJ Institute
Connecting Businesses, Resources & Opportunities to Build the Future of North American Business.
