The State International Development Organizations (SIDO) is the premiere U.S. organization dedicated to supporting state international trade agencies. SIDO is the only national organization focused exclusively on state international trade development. SIDO helps state international trade agencies better serve American exporters by sharing innovative ideas and resources, developing the skills of state trade professionals, advocating the interests of states in trade promotion, and facilitating multi-state collaboration.

State international trade agencies are widely recognized as leaders in innovative, performance-based trade development assistance and export promotion. Physically located in their respective states, international trade staff communicates regularly with constituents, business leaders and international contacts. State international staff works directly with small to medium-sized exporters, providing trusted guidance as they strengthen our economy through exporting. The resources available for international trade promotion and the strategies used to promote these programs vary significantly from state to state. SIDO provides a forum for practitioners to learn from each other and directly impact our local and national economies.

 Through a close partnership with The Council of State Governments (CSG), SIDO members contribute specialized expertise, information and resources to support the overall goal of promoting state international trade programs. SIDO offers a mechanism by which members can access helpful directories, seek out best practices from other state agencies, expand their international contacts and resources, and utilize a wide array of additional products and services. SIDO also provides a vital forum for bringing issues to a broader, collective audience.

Organization
SIDO is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization, affiliated with The Council of State Governments (CSG), that is comprised of international economic development practitioners and professionals from state and related organizations across the country. SIDO employs a part-time staff liaison, based in CSG’s Washington office, to coordinate program activities. However, SIDO relies primarily on the active involvement of state trade directors from across the country, including SIDO’s nine-member board of directors, to ensure that all activities are focused on the immediate needs of the states and to limit overhead expenses.

Membership
As of December 2007, 40 states have joined SIDO as members including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.   The City of San Francisco, The Council of Great Lakes Governors, and the Quebec Ministry of Commerce have joined SIDO as affiliate members.  In addition, trade professionals from all 50 states have participated in SIDO advocacy efforts, training programs, and other activities. 

Leadership
SIDO’s executive leadership is provided by a nine-member voluntary board of directors drawn from state international trade agencies in every region of the country. Board members include:

Barry Clark, Oklahoma Department of Commerce
Kathe Falls, Georgia Department of Economic Development 
Kathy Hill, Iowa Department of Economic Development
Karen Goddin, Oregon Economic and Community Development Department
Peter O'Neill, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
Ann Pardalos, Missouri Department of Economic Development
John Pastor, Delaware Office of Management and Budget
Mary Regel, Wisconsin Department of Commerce
Larry Williams, Washington State Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development

Three board members share additional responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day activities of SIDO.

Kathy Hill (IA) - SIDO President
Kathe Falls (GA) - SIDO Vice President
John Pastor (DE), SIDO Treasurer

Staff support is provided by The Council of State Governments.

Chris Whatley, SIDO Staff Liaison/CSG Director of International Programs
 

Mission Statement

SIDO was created by the international trade directors of the states’ development agencies as a way to:

share innovative ideas and resources,
develop the skills of international trade professionals,
attract resources to international trade development and related industrial, technological and workforce issues,
advocate states’ international trade development interests at the state and federal levels, and
collaborate to expand exports, employment and global competitiveness.

SIDO Bylaws