Posts Tagged ‘trade show’

h1

Meet the Experts Through ITA Trade Events

July 13, 2017

By Anne Driscoll, Assistant Secretary for Industry & Analysis and Tom McGinty, National Director for U.S. Operations, U.S. Commercial Service

No matter what business you’re in, chances are that as an exporter you use U.S. and international trade shows and industry or market-focused workshops, seminars, and conferences as part of your marketing mix.  As the federal agency primarily responsible for international trade matters, ITA understands this and works to fulfill the needs of companies that export with an eclectic mix of events.

Major Trade Shows

At 25 or more major U.S. industry shows every year, ITA provides export experts who counsel, offer market briefings, and connect U.S. exhibitors to international buyers. The International Buyer Program adds significant value to your trade show experience. While you’re working hard to connect with buyers at your booth, ITA brings the connections, information, and expertise to you. To see which shows are participating in the International Buyer Program this year, visit export.gov/ibp.

Export-focused, U.S.-based In-person Events

These events address common exporter interests and offer expert, on-site trade counseling and export education. Some events are short, single-topic events; others cover the full spectrum of international trade issues. Typical shorter in-person events include “export 101,” “e-commerce” or “export compliance” workshops. Full-scale conferences like the U.S.-based Discover Global Markets and internationally based Trade Winds series offer an industry or regional focus and come with a wide spectrum of activities including one-on-one appointments with U.S. commercial diplomats based overseas; business-to-business matchmaking meetings with foreign buyers; briefings that relate to particular industry export issues; and plenty of opportunities for networking with fellow exporters, export service providers, and U.S. and foreign government officials. To find out more about in-person events, visit export.gov/discoverglobalmarkets OR export.gov/tradewinds.

Trade Missions

These events bring U.S. companies to international markets to explore and pursue export opportunities by meeting directly with potential buyers, partners, or distributors in their sector. Trade Missions capitalize on the extensive connections and expertise of ITA staff worldwide, and can typically accommodate 10-25 companies. Missions offer meetings with pre-screened foreign buyers; networking with local industry multipliers; market briefings from ITA and local business and government experts; and site visits. Mission participation is by application and selection, and you can get more information about how the process works at export.gov/trade-missions.

Webinars

These are free, quick, easy ways to get up to speed on a variety of topics and hear from government and private sector experts. ITA sponsors webinars every month and topics range from export compliance to cybersecurity and market entry tips. Webinars are also typically held prior to in-person events and can help exporters learn more before committing to participation. For more information about ITA webinars visit export.gov/webinars.

For general exporting information and resources or to find an office near you, visit export.gov/services.

 

Posted in Trade Missions, Trade Shows | Tagged | Comments Off on Meet the Experts Through ITA Trade Events

h1

International Buyer Program Helps Set International Attendance Record at CES!

January 12, 2011

 

This post contains external links. Please review our external linking policy

 

Vidya Desai is an International Trade Specialist with the U.S. Commercial Service International Buyer Program

The 2011 International CES concluded on Sunday, January 9, 2011 with preliminary figures reporting over 140,000 industry professionals in attendance at the show.  This year’s CES experience a record number of  international attendees with the International Buyer Program contributing 34 buyer delegations consisting of over 700 international attendees at the show!

In addition to bringing foreign buyers to the show, Commercial Specialists conducted over 110 meetings with interested U.S. exhibitors both on the show floor and in the International Commerce Center onsite.  These meetings helped educate U.S. exhibitors about the relevant markets and how to get their products into these markets.  Matchmaking meetings between U.S. exhibitors and recruited international delegates also took place during the show.  Several delegates reported finding U.S. supplier leads at CES that will hopefully result in sales for U.S. companies at the show n in the coming months!

The International Buyer Program is a key component of President Obama’s National Export Strategy.  Commerce Secretary Locke visited the show on Thursday, January 6, 2011 and discussed this important initiative, which seeks to double U.S. exports by 2015 and support millions of American jobs.

Posted in Export Assistance | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on International Buyer Program Helps Set International Attendance Record at CES!

h1

Potential Matches Made in CES Heaven

January 7, 2011

 

This post contains external links. Please review our external linking policy

 

Vidya Desai is an International Trade Specialist with the U.S. Commercial Service International Buyer Program.

The Consumer Electronics Association and the U.S. Commercial Service International Buyer Program joined forces last night to provide U.S. companies with a dynamic opportunity to meet hundreds of international buyers at the Global Matchmaking and International Reception (GMIR).  ITA’s Deputy Under Secretary Michelle O’Neill joined us for the first ever GMIR at CES where five U.S. companies (Earthquake Sound Corporation, ZREISS, Meridrew Enterprises, Livio Radio, and Freelinc) connected their tabletop product or service displays with hundreds of foreign buyers in a reception setting off the show floor. Among the hundreds of attendees at this event were several foreign buyer delegations recruited by the International Buyer Program.  The reception was a great way to meet with prospective new customers; network with foreign buyers and industry professionals; and entertain new contacts in a hospitable and professional venue!

Posted in Export Assistance | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Potential Matches Made in CES Heaven

h1

Visiting Delegations at 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show Here to Buy Your Products!

January 6, 2011

 

This post contains external links. Please review our external linking policy

 

Vidya Desai is an International Trade Specialist with the U.S. Commercial Service International Buyer Program.

I am writing to you from the bustling International Commerce Center (ICC), here at the 2011 International CES, one of the largest consumer electronics show in the world.  It is opening day of the show and thousands of people are anxiously awaiting the opening of the show floor.  Among these thousands are 34 foreign buyer delegations recruited by the Commercial Service International Buyer Program (IBP).  There are over 700 IBP recruited delegates from key markets, including buyers from China, Brazil, Vietnam, who have traveled the distance to make deals with U.S. companies.

We have several meetings scheduled between U.S. exhibitors and overseas Commercial Specialists.  These meetings help educate U.S. companies about the overseas markets to see if their products can succeed.  If you’re a U.S. exhibitor at CES and want to take advantage of this service, it’s not too late!  Stop by the ICC in the South Hall Connector, Room S224/S225 to request a meeting.

In addition to all the buzz around the ICC, Commerce Secretary Locke will be visiting the show today!  Secretary Locke will be speaking at one of the session at the Tech Policy Summit this morning.  It is just the beginning of an exciting four days here at CES and we hope to help make your visit to CES a success!

Posted in Trade Shows | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Visiting Delegations at 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show Here to Buy Your Products!

h1

How do U.S. Companies Benefit from Attending Trade Shows Selected by the U.S. Commercial Service?

January 5, 2011

Philippa Olsen is a Marketing and Communications Specialist at the U.S. Commercial Service.

Did you know that a U.S. company can jumpstart its international sales by attending a domestic trade show? Here are some of the benefits:

  • Participate in face-to-face meetings with pre-screened international buyers
  • Save time and money by meeting international partners domestically
  • Get tips from International U.S. Commercial Service trade specialists on doing business abroad
  • Learn about trends and recent development in key industries

The U.S. Commercial Service’s International Buyer Program (IBP) recruits thousands of qualified foreign buyers, sales representatives, and business partners to U.S. trade shows each year, giving exhibitors excellent opportunities to expand business globally.  Check out the International Buyer Program Trade Show Schedule to learn more about individual shows.

A U.S. Commercial Service client who recently attended an IBP show states “There’s really no substitute for the face-to-face meetings you can get at trade show venues, where you have all these potential buyers under one room.  As a result, I’ve been able to meet potential partners and negotiate several deals in a matter of several months.”

To find out more, visit the International Buyer Program page.

Get updates from IBP on the upcoming 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, by following our social media.

Posted in Trade Shows | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on How do U.S. Companies Benefit from Attending Trade Shows Selected by the U.S. Commercial Service?

h1

Do You Want To Increase Your Sales And Expand Your Business?

January 5, 2011

 

This post contains external links. Please review our external linking policy

 

Vidya Desai is a Senior International Trade Specialist with the U.S. Commercial Service International Buyer Program.

The International Buyer Program (IBP) is a joint government-industry effort designed to increase U.S. export sales by promoting international attendance at major U.S. industry exhibitions. The IBP provides practical, hands-on assistance to U.S. exhibitors interested in exporting and making contacts with prospective overseas trade partners. This assistance includes export counseling, marketing analysis, and matchmaking services.  The IBP is an important part of our implementation of the Obama Administration’s National Export Initiative which aims to double the value of U.S. exports over the next five years.

If you’re a U.S. company, your chances of finding the right international business partner greatly increases at a trade show that’s part of the IBP. You’ll not only meet more international buyers, representatives and distributors, but your products and services can be listed in the Export Interest Directory distributed to all international visitors to the show.   You will also have access to an on-site International Business Center, where your company can meet privately with prospective international buyers, sales representatives, and business partners and obtain assistance from our experienced U.S. Commercial Service staff.

Currently, there are 40 U.S. trade shows participating in the International Buyer Program in 2011, including the current Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2011 in Las Vegas, NV where hundreds of international buyers are looking to buy U.S. products and services.  Contact your local U.S. Export Assistance Center to find out more information about the export assistance you can receive prior to, during, and following an IBP selected trade show.  Now that you know about the benefits and opportunities that can emerge from participating in a U.S. trade show participating in the IBP, we hope that you will include some of these events in your marketing strategies for 2011!

Posted in Trade Policy | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Do You Want To Increase Your Sales And Expand Your Business?

h1

Shssssssh! Don’t Tell Anyone How You Increased Your International Sales

December 9, 2010

Doug Barry is a senior international trade specialist with the U.S. Commercial Service.

A best-kept secret is that domestic trade shows are great places to meet and sell to international buyers.  U.S. businesses that have discovered this relatively low-cost channel for drumming up new sales claim that exhibiting at the “right” shows can fill their order books for the entire year.


Download full video .mp4 (47 MB)
View more from the Trade Show Video Series

It may sound counter intuitive to make international sales without leaving the U.S., but the fact is that international buyers are attracted to large trade shows in the U.S.  And let’s not forget the draw of Las Vegas, Chicago, Miami and other big trade show venues.

So what are the “right” shows out of the hundreds held annually across the country?  It depends on the industry you are in, but the first tier of shows to consider is those that offer the International Buyer Program (IBP), a service that facilitates buyer-seller matchmaking and made possible by the Commerce Department’s U.S. Commercial Service.  IBP is an important part of the Obama Administration’s National Export Initiative which aims to double the value of U.S. exports over the next five years.

Shows are competitively selected each year based on their attractiveness to buyers in industries and countries that are considered best prospects for U.S. suppliers.  The range of industries this year is broad and includes obvious ones such as construction, power generation and restaurant equipment, as well as less obvious ones like dental hardware and funeral supplies.  Come to think of it death has always been a growth industry, and although post-life practices may vary by culture and country the market is enduringly global.

With almost 40 International Buyer Program shows to choose from many U.S. businesses will find one that’s suited to them.  Ideally, the process begins by contacting your local U.S. Export Assistance Center, part of the worldwide network operated by the Commerce Department.

Export experts will help prepare you to use services at the show to meet the international buyers that are recruited by U.S. embassies.  Preliminary contact and information exchanges are arrange beforehand, but the real business is done on the show floor and in a special area called the International Business Centers, which feature conference rooms for conducting negotiations.

Billions of dollars in sales are registered each year, and most of the U.S. companies making the sales are smaller companies.  So now that we’ve pulled the cover off this formerly best-kept secret, watch the four videos on the IBP (so far) and see for yourself how companies like yours are selling globally without going far from home.

Posted in Trade Shows | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Shssssssh! Don’t Tell Anyone How You Increased Your International Sales