The Alabama International Trade Center

What The Alabama International Trade Center does

The Alabama International Trade Center (AITC), formally the William R. Bennett Alabama International Trade Center, is a non-profit trade assistance organization founded in 1979 as an outreach program of The University of Alabama's Office for Research & Economic Development. It operates as a federal-state partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, serving as an SBA resource partner, an accredited member of America's SBDC network, an Associate Office of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the EXIM Bank Regional Export Promotion Partner for Alabama. The organization is headquartered in Tuscaloosa with additional meeting space at the Innovation Depot in Birmingham, employs approximately six full-time professionals, four consultants, and fifteen student assistants, and is led by Director Brian K. Davis, who has held the role since 2004.

AITC delivers a portfolio of free services to Alabama small and medium-sized businesses seeking to enter or expand in international markets. Core services include confidential one-on-one trade advising with certified trade specialists, customized export market research, trade training programs covering import/export compliance and documentation, and export finance assistance spanning SBA Export Working Capital Program, Export Express loans, EXIM Bank programs, and export credit insurance. Supporting offerings include the web-based Export Readiness Assessment System (ERAS), an AITC/SBA Export Business Planner, import and supply chain advisory services, website internationalization analysis, on-demand webinars, a Trade Reference Guide covering 100+ countries, and Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) certification preparation. Over a recent five-year window, AITC's EXIM Bank partnership supported $311.73 million in Alabama exports across 27 companies and 11 communities.

All services are provided free of charge, and the organization does not generate revenue from clients. Funding flows through an SBA cooperative agreement supplemented by partnerships with EXIM Bank, the Alabama Department of Commerce's International Trade Division, the U.S. Commercial Service Birmingham Export Assistance Center, SUSTA (USDA Foreign Agricultural Service), and regional trade associations including NAITA, JASA, the AlabamaGermany Partnership, and AIBP. Client acquisition combines direct outreach, partner referrals through the 10-center Alabama SBDC network and the Export Alabama Trade Alliance, trade missions, workshops, and webinars. The organization has received the U.S. Department of Commerce Export Achievement Award and is recognized by the SBA as a State Model of Excellence in International Trade.

Name

The Alabama International Trade Center

Legal name

Alabama International Trade Center

Website

https://aitc.ua.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Alabama International Trade Center is a non-profit University of Alabama outreach program that provides free international trade consulting, market research, training, and export finance assistance to Alabama small and medium-sized businesses through an SBA cooperative agreement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Trade Consulting Services

NAICS

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAHAFAN

Trade, Export Controls & Customs Compliance

Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/Risk, Compliance & Governance Advisory

SECONDARYEDABADAK

Trade Compliance (Import/Export Controls, Customs)

Education/Corporate Training & Professional Development/Compliance, Ethics & Regulatory Training

SECONDARYBPADACAF

Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) & Trade Finance Institutions

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/International Financial Institutions & Development Banks

Keywords

• International trade consulting
• Export advising services
• Trade training programs
• Export finance assistance
• Market research services

Headquarters

HQ city

Tuscaloosa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Free Trade Consulting Services: The AITC operates as a non-profit outreach program funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All services are provided free of charge to Alabama businesses. The organization does not generate revenue but is funded by federal and state partnerships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Alabama International Trade Center provides free, confidential international trade advisory services to Alabama businesses, including one-on-one trade advising, customized export market research, trade training programs, and facilitation of SBA and EXIM Bank export financing. It supplements these core services with import/supply chain advisory, a web-based Export Readiness Assessment, website internationalization reviews, on-demand webinars, and certification prep (CGBP), and coordinates the Export Alabama Trade Alliance statewide promotion network.

Product overview

The Alabama International Trade Center (AITC) is a service-based organization operated as a federal-state partnership between The University of Alabama's Culverhouse College of Business and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Rather than a unified software platform, AITC offers a portfolio of consulting, training, and research services designed to help Alabama businesses enter and expand in international markets. The core services include One-on-One Trade Advising, Customized Market Research, Trade Training Programs, and Export Finance Services (covering SBA and Ex-Im Bank programs). Supporting services include the Export Readiness Assessment System (ERAS) for self-evaluation, Import/Supply Chain Services, Website Internationalization analysis, an Event Calendar of trade workshops, and On-Demand Webinars. AITC also coordinates the Export Alabama Alliance statewide network and provides specialized training including CGBP certification prep and Online Training Courses. The AITC/SBA Export Business Planner serves as a comprehensive roadmap for export planning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• One-on-One Trade Advising Confidential one-on-one consulting with certified trade specialists to help Alabama companies develop international business strategies and navigate export and import processes.
• Customized Market Research Tailored export market research delivering market intelligence, target market recommendations, and analysis of foreign market opportunities for Alabama businesses.
• Trade Training Programs Comprehensive import and export trade training offering one-on-one custom training modules, workshops, and online options covering export compliance, documentation, and market entry strategies.
• Export Finance Services Assistance with SBA export financing programs, Export Working Capital Program (EWCP), Export Express loans, EXIM Bank financing, and export credit insurance to help Alabama businesses access working capital for international sales.
• Import / Supply Chain Services Advisory and research services helping companies with importing procedures, sourcing products, identifying and qualifying manufacturers, payments, financing, shipping, delivery, and clearing US Customs.
• Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) Training Training program preparing individuals for the NASBITE CGBP certification exam, covering Global Business Management, Global Marketing, Supply Chain Management, and Trade Finance as a benchmark of competency in global commerce.
• Online Training Courses Self-paced online courses covering EXIM Bank programs, export compliance, foreign trade regulations, commodity classification, NAFTA/USMCA rules of origin, and taxes and tariffs calculation.
• Export Readiness Assessment System (ERAS) Web-based 23-question self-assessment tool that evaluates company readiness and product readiness for exporting; results are then analyzed by trade specialists who provide feedback and discuss international growth options with the client.
• Website Internationalization Free website analysis providing 15-25 page reports with suggestions for improving site performance, SEO, mobile optimization, and international appeal for foreign customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supported $311.73 million in Alabama exports over five years through EXIM Bank partnership
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and regional.

• U.S. Small Business AdministrationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal-state partnership between the University of Alabama and SBA. AITC operates as an SBA resource partner, promoting SBA's export financing programs in Alabama. SBA provides funding through cooperative agreement and AITC serves as the primary channel for SBA export loan programs in the state.
• Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEXIM Bank has designated AITC as its Regional Export Promotion Partner (REPP) in Alabama. This partnership allows EXIM to leverage AITC's local market knowledge while AITC connects exporters to EXIM trade finance products. AITC provides technical assistance on EXIM loan products and application procedures.
• Alabama Small Business Development Center Network (ASBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAITC is an institutional member of the ASBDC, a statewide network of 10 management and technical assistance centers. AITC works in conjunction with other SBDC centers across Alabama to provide comprehensive business assistance.
• Export Alabama Trade AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAITC is a founding member of the Export Alabama Trade Alliance, a statewide export promotion network led by the International Trade Division of the Alabama Department of Commerce. The alliance coordinates export support programs across the state.
• U.S. Department of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAITC is recognized as an Associate Office of the U.S. Department of Commerce. This designation enables AITC to provide enhanced export assistance and connect clients to federal trade resources.
• U.S. Commercial Service - Birmingham Export Assistance CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Birmingham USEAC provides export assistance alongside AITC. Robert Stackpole and William Thoerpe serve as trade specialists. Joint efforts include assisting companies with trade missions and export development.
• Alabama Department of Commerce - International Trade DivisionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe International Trade Division leads the Export Alabama Trade Alliance and coordinates trade missions. Hilda Lockhart serves as Director. AITC works with the division to provide coordinated export services to Alabama companies.
• North Alabama International Trade Association (NAITA)regionalGTM or Marketing PartnerNAITA is a non-profit membership organization promoting international trade in North Alabama. Led by Certified Global Business Professionals with over 60 years combined experience. AITC staff participate in NAITA programs and events.
• Japan America Society of Alabama (JASA)regionalGTM or Marketing PartnerJASA promotes friendship and business between Japan and Alabama. AITC staff serve on JASA's Executive Board. Joint activities include trade events and business matchmaking.
• AlabamaGermany PartnershipregionalGTM or Marketing PartnerAGP facilitates collaboration between Alabama and German businesses. Michael Brooks of AITC serves as AGP Chair. The partnership focuses on culture, education, and business development between the two regions.
• Alabama India Business Partnerships (AIBP)regionalGTM or Marketing PartnerAIBP is a private-sector non-profit connecting Alabama businesses with Indian counterparts. AITC staff serve on AIBP's board to facilitate trade between Alabama and India.
• Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerSUSTA is funded by USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service. AITC assists clients in accessing SUSTA's Market Access Program and cost-share programs for trade show participation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• NASBITE International: National association that administers the Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) credential, which AITC actively teaches. Acts as the credentialing ecosystem peer and standards body for AITC's training programs.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) - Office of International Trade: Federal parent/funder of AITC's export finance programming (Export Working Capital Program, Export Express). Operates a parallel set of national export-finance resources and is the principal funding counterpart for AITC's trade finance practice.
• Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM): The U.S. ECA that has designated AITC as its Regional Export Promotion Partner in Alabama. Both organizations serve SMB exporters via trade finance and education, with EXIM operating at federal scale and AITC delivering last-mile local execution.

Direct peers

• District Export Councils (DECs): Volunteer-led federal advisory bodies that complement U.S. Commercial Service field operations and often coordinate with state-level trade centers like AITC. Deliver similar export-readiness mentoring to local companies.
• North Carolina SBTDC: University-affiliated small business assistance network (NC State and others) with an international trade services track for state-based SMBs. Closest structural parallel to AITC's university/SBA hybrid model, differing only in state geography.
• World Trade Center Atlanta: Membership-based trade services organization providing trade education, market research, and export assistance to regional companies. Operates a comparable SME-focused trade advisory practice, but as a private membership model rather than a public-funded center.
• Georgia Department of Economic Development - International Trade Division: State-level counterpart that recruits foreign investment and supports Georgia exporters. Mirrors AITC's export-promotion mandate in an adjacent Southern state with similar industry mix (manufacturing, agribusiness).

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Commercial Service (International Trade Administration): The federal export-promotion agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce. AITC is formally recognized as an Associate Office of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the agencies share an export-advising mission for U.S. businesses.
• America's SBDC Network: The national umbrella organization of which AITC is an accredited member; operates the broader small business development center network across all U.S. states and territories with comparable advising, training, and capital-access missions.

Regional players

• Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA): USDA-funded non-profit that helps small U.S. food and agriculture companies export; operates across the South. AITC already refers clients into SUSTA programs, and both share a regional SMB export-promotion mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-alabama-international-trade-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Alabama International Trade Center