Posts Tagged ‘trade shows’

h1

Making the Most of International Trade Shows

July 25, 2014

Arun Kumar is the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service.

The International Trade Administration Commercial Service team may be the most connected business partners you will ever have. Our specialists are export experts, giving your business advice on potential trade partners, ways to market your company, and how to successfully export.

Now our Commercial Service team is making it even easier to succeed in exporting through an exciting video series called Export Experts. This series will provide information on trade shows, tips for exporting to rural areas, international exporting advice, and so much more.

The first video of this series is about making the most of international trade shows, which can be great opportunities to meet lots of different people in one place. They can be efficient and beneficial events for any company looking to expand to new markets.

Here are some tips about trade shows that we as commercial service officers have learned through our years of exporting assistance.

  1. Go prepared. Know your product, understand your client base, be professional. You are at a trade show to create connections with people that could become your business partners. Making a good impression is key, so know your stuff.
  2. Be interactive. One great way to stand out is to have something that attracts people to your booth. Whether it be a video or a product demonstration, keep people engaged.
  3. Make connections. You are there to meet new people, and form potential partnerships, not just to sell your product. If your company can help another company make money, you will always be in business.
  4. Follow up, and follow through. Probably the most important thing to do after a trade show is reconnect with the people you met. The only way to create these lasting business relationships is to stay connected to the people you meet.

Commercial Service officers are here to help you succeed in expanding your business. We have various tools and ideas to prepare you and maximize your time at trade shows. Contact your nearest Export Assistance Center today to find out about upcoming trade shows and how to succeed in the global marketplace.

Posted in Export Assistance, Success Stories, Trade Shows | Tagged , | Comments Off on Making the Most of International Trade Shows

h1

International Buyer Program Announces 2014 Roster of Trade Shows

June 3, 2013

Gary Rand is Director of the International Trade Administration’s International Buyer Program.

IBP can help you maximize export opportunities at trade shows.

The International Buyer Program can help you maximize export opportunities at trade shows.

Your U.S. company may be looking to export but not know where to start. Good news: your chances of finding the right international business partner greatly increase by participating in a trade show that has been selected as a venue for the International Buyer Program (IBP).

Our program brings thousands of pre-screened international buyers to U.S. trade shows. So at an IBP-certified event, you’ll not only meet more international buyers, representatives and distributors, but your products and services will also be listed in the Export Interest Directory distributed to all international visitors to the show.

This makes your company and your products easy to find for potential customers. That will help you make more contacts, and maybe even more sales.

In addition to assistance from our experienced staff, you will also have access to an on-site International Trade Center, where your company can meet privately with prospective international buyers, sales representatives and business partners.

I am pleased to announce the 26 U.S. trade shows in 2014 to which the International Buyer Program (IBP) will bring prospective international buyers. Thanks to our rigorous competitive selection process, I am confident these 26 shows will provide excellent business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking venues for U.S. companies looking to expand their international sales to new markets, or to start exporting.

For those U.S. companies planning to exhibit at any of these shows, the IBP is a great way to maximize your trade show investment.

Some advantages of the IBP include:

  • U.S. companies meet pre-screened prospective buyers from around the world all in one domestic venue.
  • Last year the IBP recruited over 10,800 prospective buyers from international markets, resulting in 3,860 B2B and business-to-government sessions.
  • New online business matchmaking software program connects U.S. companies and foreign buyers, enabling them to contact each other and schedule meetings prior to the show.

The International Buyer Program 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.

To learn more about our events and how they can help you, follow the International Buyer Program on Twitter or contact us with any questions.

Posted in Trade Shows | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on International Buyer Program Announces 2014 Roster of Trade Shows