About
NASBITE is the leading authority and industry standard for global business education, trade credentialing, training and practice. Our members represent all sectors of global business including:
- Small and midsize business owner-managers engaged in international business;
- Trade service providers specializing in accounting, compliance, finance, legal, logistics, risk management and related fields;
- Trade educators from two-year and four-year colleges and universities;
- Trade specialists and trade advisors at all levels of federal, state, and local government;
- Corporations engaged in manufacturing or producing goods and services worldwide.
NASBITE members benefit from networking with this mix of professionals through a variety of events, educational sessions and webinars. Learn more about membership and its benefits.
Our mission
NASBITE International’s mission is to advance global business practice, education and training.
NASBITE accomplishes its mission through a portfolio of programs and services including:
- An Annual Conference and National Small Business Exporter Summit
- Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) credentialing and training
- Professional development for those engaged in global business education and assistance
- Member services including access to resource materials and connections with subject-matter experts
- Advocacy and leadership for global business education and trade assistance professionals
- Awards and best practices recognition
Our story
NASBITE was originally established in 1988 as the National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators in response to a movement throughout the 1980s to place international trade education in a more prominent position in colleges, universities, and various public service institutions. During this time, new programs at educational institutions, world trade centers, chambers of commerce, and other trade-related groups began to grow. In addition, Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, began joining the groundswell of activity.
John Otis, founding director of Oregon’s statewide program, brought together individuals working in SBDC, university and chamber of commerce international trade programs for a conference in Portland, OR. The May 1988 conference, sponsored by the Portland SBDC, Seattle Community College, and the SBA, attracted 130 attendees from 30 states and Puerto Rico. The format for the conference was so successful that it became the basis for future NASBITE conferences.
A National Steering Committee was soon formed to develop the new organization and the next conference. After two days of meetings in St. Paul, MN, NASBITE was born.
In 1992, NASBITE was awarded tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3) organization. In 2000, NASBITE embarked on a new mission to develop a professional credential that would raise the level of practice in the field, provide professional development goals, and showcase competency.
Over the next several years, Jim Foley, from Bradley University, led the effort to develop the NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) credential. NASBITE contracted with Professional Examination Service (PES) to create the body of knowledge and a test protocol. The first NASBITE CGBP credentialing exam was given on March 20, 2005. To date, over 2,000 candidates have received the credential.
As part of the continuing evolution, NASBITE became NASBITE International in 2006 to better reflect the expanded population of global business professionals being served by the organization.
