Your Trade Mission Certified by the U.S. Department of Commerce Certified Trade Missions offer a proven cooperative approach for putting U.S. businesses on the map…  Planned and recruited by organizations committed to advancing U.S. business interests overseas: State and local governments   State and local governments Industry and trade associations  Industry and trade associations Chambers of commerce  Chambers of commerce  Hosted by U.S. Department of Commerce Commercial Service offices in overseas markets

What Certified Trade Missions can do for your constituents…  Put U.S. businesses in direct contact with prescreened potential clients and partners:  Agents  Distributors  Joint venture partners  Licensees  Buyers, end-users… and more!  Help launch business in new markets  Provide a convenient platform for expanding an established market presence

What Certified Trade Missions can do for your constituents (continued)  Deliver valuable market insights:  Latest policies and regulations  Local business customs  Fast-breaking market opportunities  Assess each firm’s sales potential in advance:  Competitors  Market entry strategies  Prospective business matches  Counsel mission members on every step of the export process

Certified Trade Missions are customized to help you meet your delegation’s goals!  You define your mission’s ideal size, scope, and goals.  Our overseas Commercial Service offices will work with you to ensure your mission’s success.  Commercial Service Staff at U.S. Export Assistance Centers across the nation can help: Export counseling  Export counseling Market research  Market research Tips on event planning  Tips on event planning Liaison with overseas offices  Liaison with overseas offices

Is there a typical format for a Certified Trade Mission? Frontline services:  Business briefings in each target market  Expert advice from industry specialists  One-on-one business appointments  Meetings with government officials  VIP networking receptions  Interpreters and logistical support  Export counseling before and after the trip Other activities:  Site visits  Product presentations  Seminars

Planning your Certified Trade Mission  Six months before your proposed mission, or earlier, submit your proposal to the Commercial Service office in each country you wish to visit. Be sure to include:  Proposed itinerary and dates  Theme and industry focus  Goals and objectives  Projected number of participants  Services requested  Upon receipt of your request our overseas staff will evaluate your proposal and help you develop a mission budget.  Three months before the mission, send an Advance Officer to each host country to work with Commercial Service staff to finalize the program.

Getting started…  For a directory of U.S. and overseas Commercial Service offices:  Check out our website:  Call: USA Trade