September 2023

Export Control Compliance for Alliances & Associations

Over the past several years, we've seen an increase in the US Government's use of trade restrictions to address issues. Most people wrongly assume these restrictions only impact businesses. They also affect many standard-setting organizations in unique ways.

Employee Spotlight: Allie Romero

Allie Romero discusses her role as an Inventures Program Manager and the keys to excellent customer care.

Client News: Mopria Alliance Celebrates 10-year Anniversary

September marks an exciting 10 years since the Mopria Alliance was formed. Their mission was, and remains, simple: to promote, simplify, and increase the accessibility of wireless printing from smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices.

Export Control Compliance for Alliances & Associations

Over the past several years, we've seen an increase in the US Government's use of trade restrictions to address issues. Most people wrongly assume these restrictions only impact businesses. They also affect many standard-setting organizations in unique ways.

For example, restrictions can be placed on a single person, a company, or a country. Some restrictions may impact one activity but not others. Some restrictions impact one alliance and allow participation in another association. The government typically uses the US Treasury Department Office of Foreign Asset Control or OFAC and the US Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Entity List to define restrictions. There can be updates at any time.

Some alliances have software products like test tools or apps. Their members, or the general public, may use this software but all must undergo export control review. There may be annual reporting requirements based on the results of that review. These reporting requirements will likely impact your membership to continue to be allowed to make the software available.

Knowing how to manage trade restrictions takes both alliance and association management expertise and legal counsel experienced in these matters. An integrated membership management system with a document repository portal with the flexibility to assign specific rights to access information to members is crucial to managing trade restrictions.

Back to top

Employee Spotlight: Allie Romero

What is your role at Inventures?

I am a Program Manager working on The Women in Thoracic Surgery, The UCSF Naffziger Surgical Society, and the Farmland Capital Alliance.

What does your job entail and what does a typical day look like?

As Program Manager, I support my clients on their various initiatives and project management to foster their growth. I coordinate client activities, including member meetings and events, and liaise between clients and Inventures staff. I assist with developing and documenting policies and procedures, providing communications and marketing services, and maintaining constant communication with leadership to ensure deadlines are met. A typical day consists of guiding and counseling the Board members on operations, services, and program management, but every day is a new adventure at Inventures!

What’s the key to excellent customer service?

Exemplary customer service is integral to my role. Fulfilling our company's commitment to our clients depends on adaptability and resourcefulness. The key to excellent customer service is to be responsive knowledgeable, and respectful while reacting efficiently in challenging situations. It is going above and beyond to exceed client expectations.

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?

If I could do another job for one day, I would enjoy stepping into the shoes of my Marketing colleagues to gain more insight into their strategies and procedures, which I could utilize in supporting my clients.

What is your favorite vacation destination?

My favorite vacation destination so far is Mexico! It is home to beautiful beaches, a vibrant culture, friendly people, and delicious food.

Back to top

Client News: Mopria Alliance Celebrates 10-year Anniversary

September marks an exciting 10 years since the Mopria Alliance was formed. Their mission was, and remains, simple: to promote, simplify, and increase the accessibility of wireless printing from smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices.

Decades before the Mopria Alliance was created, printers were packaged with floppy disks or CDs containing Printer Drivers. More recently, but prior to the release of Android 8.0 Oreo's Default Print Service powered by Mopria technology, printing documents on Android required third-party solutions and vendor-specific plugins and drivers. The user experience was lengthy at best and roadblocked at worst. This remained the case until 2013 when our founding members Canon, HP, Samsung, and Xerox collaborated to align to standards that make printing universally compatible from any mobile device to any printer anywhere.

Read on here about the evolution of mobile printing and how Mopria Alliance has transformed the industry.

Back to top

Copyright© Global Inventures, Inc.