Boost Sales Through Exports

Idaho World Trade Day 2008 Dear Idaho Manufacturers & Food Processors, If you have ever considered entering the export market or expanding your export efforts, now is the time. The recent decline of the U.S. dollar makes your products some 25% less expensive to our major overseas trading partners. At TechHelp’s national Manufacturing Extension Partnership conference in Orlando this week, the big news was how small U.S. companies are succeeding overseas.
Companies that export are growing twice as fast as those that don’t.
We learned that the growing middle class of India, at 340 million, is now larger than the entire population of the U.S.? The middle class in China is huge and growing as well.
We heard that some foreign companies are now OUTSOURCING work to the U.S.to take advantage of the favorable exchange rate.
We listened to a small manufacturer of gas/water hose clamps from Kalispell, Montana tell about how he attended an export trade show last month in Turkey and came back with new sales in hand and the prospects to enterentirely new markets through a European-based distributor.
Right here in Idaho , a small manufacturer that had no international sales in 2003, now sees 20% of its sales from overseas. Another Idaho company doubled international sales to $205,000 between 2005-2007. “In the current domestic downturn, the international market is ripe with opportunities,” says Amy Benson, the U.S. Commercial Services Manager in Boise . Developing international sales can help Idaho companies expand markets, diversify their customer base, smooth seasonal demand and more. Idaho companies can learn more about doing business overseas during Idaho ’s World Trade Day 2008. The event kicks off on May 6 with a fun afternoon of golf at Shadow Valley Golf Club in Boise where potential exporters can rub shoulders with the pros. The event continues May 7 with a half day of workshops at the Grove Hotel in Boise that will focus on successful exporting practices. The event finishes with a luncheon and the annual Export Awards that recognize Idaho companies that have enjoyed export success. World Trade Day is hosted by the Idaho District Export Council (DEC), a statewide group of community leaders and business professionals involved in international business. Through shared knowledge and experience, the organization advances Idaho ’s access to international markets. The DEC contributes leadership and international trade expertise to complement the export promotion efforts of the U.S. Commercial Service through counseling businesses on the exporting process and conducting trade education and community outreach. WTD 2008 AGENDA World Trade Day Golf Tournament
Tuesday, May 6 - Golf at Shadow Valley Golf Club, 15711 Highway 55, Boise
Noon - Registration & Warm-up
1 pm - Shotgun Start, Four Person Scramble
6 pm - BBQ Dinner, Awards, Door Prizes
World Trade Day 2008 Seminars & Export Awards Wednesday, May 7 - Grove Hotel, 245 S Capitol Blvd. , Boise
8 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Welcome to World Trade Day 2008
9 a.m.
Are your Payment Terms and Pricing Competitive? - Inga Fisher Williams, SBA Brett Tarnet, Ex-IM Broker
Complying with European Standards; REACH,WEEE, RoHS, CE Mark - Robert Straetz,
DOC, Office of European Union
Export Documentation Basics - Vince Brascia,SpekTek, Pat Collins, Micron Technology
10 a.m.
Doing Business in Mexico- Geoffrey Bogart, Principal Commercial Officer, MonterreyMexico
Distribution Agreements: Top 10 Traps for the Unwary - Jason Prince, Stoel Rives
Supply Chain Strategies: What can I control, Discussion Group - Local Service Providers
11 a.m.
Protecting your Intellectual Property - John Thompson, Stoel Rives
Export Compliance Best Practices - FedEx Trade Networks
Meet the DEC - Idaho District Export Council Member Forum and Q&A
Noon Export Awards Luncheon and Keynote Address
Taking Advantage of Free Trade Agreements - DC Speaker Invited
Idaho Export Awards Presented to Idaho Companies
Registration Information:
$125 for all events
$75 for golf & BBQ Dinner
$300 for golf hole sponsorship, round of golf and BBQ
$50 for seminars & awards luncheon only
$25 for awards luncheon only
$200 for group of 5 for seminars & awards luncheon only
Please register ASAP. Space is limited. Click here for registration form <http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?ndVejoTHfXsPJNE0/4bed9584602d46b2/dc03f70cdfe4dec4/jboyle@idahobusinessiq.com> . Complete the form and fax it to 208-334-2783. TechHelp will be hosting a table at the workshops/luncheon and has 3 complimentary spots for interested companies. Please contact Bill Mullane for information at 208.863.4259 or williammullane@boisestate.edu <mailto:williammullane@boisestate.edu> .