1. chambers of commerce do business
U.S. Commercial Service
Helping members of U.S.
chambers of commerce do business
in foreign markets
ACCE CONVENTION 2006
Cleveland
August 17, 2006

2. U.S. Commercial Service
The U.S. Commercial Service is a program of the
U.S. Department of Commerce’s
International Trade Administration.
Our mission:
To promote the export of goods & services from the united states, particularly by small- and medium-sized businesses
To represent U.S. Business interests internationally
To help U.S. Businesses find qualified international partners

3. Our Worldwide Network Offers Expert Assistance for Exports From the U
Our Worldwide Network Offers Expert Assistance for Exports From the U.S.
Trade specialists in 108 U.S. cities and commercial specialists in more than 150 cities in 80 countries worldwide can ...
locate international buyers, distributors & agents
provide expert help at every stage of the export process
facilitate entering new markets faster and more profitably

4. Products & Services Market Research Commercial News USA
Gold Key Matching Service
Trade Counseling & Advocacy
International Partner Search
International Corporate Profile
Trade Missions and Trade Shows
China and Middle East/North Africa Business Information Centers
Commercial News USA
Catalog Exhibitions

5. Trade Information Center
Call USA-TRADE to obtain:
information on all U.S. government export assistance programs
general export counseling
sources of international market research and trade leads
import tariffs/taxes and customs procedures
advice on export licenses and controls
country-specific export counseling and assistance

6. Register on www.export.gov to obtain access to:
Market Research
Register on to obtain access to:
more than 100,000 country- and industry-specific market reports, web sites, events, and trade directory listings.
Country Commercial Guides - prepared annually by U.S. Embassy staff, these guides contain information on the business and economic situation of foreign countries and the political climate as it affects U.S. business and foreign investments.

7. Trade Counseling
Our trade specialists in the U.S. work directly with our team of commercial specialists overseas to provide comprehensive market information and advice. We can help your member companies to:
determine the best markets for their products & services
evaluate international competitors
identify and comply with legal and regulatory issues
settle disputes
learn about cultural issues and business protocol

8. Trade Missions and Trade Shows
The U.S. Commercial Service:
organizes U.S. Pavilions in overseas trade shows
organizes trade missions of U.S companies and trade shows featuring only U.S. companies
supports trade shows organized by state governments and chambers of commerce in the United States

9. The Advocacy Center
The U.S. Commercial Service’s Advocacy Center ensures that sales of U.S. products and services have the best possible prospects abroad.
Assistance may include:
visits to key foreign officials by high-ranking U.S. officials
direct support from U.S. officials stationed overseas
letters to foreign decision-makers
U.S. export credit agency financing support to qualified U.S. companies
Advocacy Center efforts are coordinated with U.S. officials stationed at our embassies around the world and other U.S. government agencies to provide companies with maximum assistance.

10. Check out www.export.gov/cnusa for more information
Commercial News USA
Monthly trade magazine that lists U.S. Products and services
Distributed free to more than 400,000 buyers from around world
A proven track record of high-response rates and sales results
Why not advertise and increase your international sales?
Check out for more information

11. How ACCE Members Can Work With The U.S. Commercial Service
ACCE member chambers of commerce can work together with the U.S. Commercial Service to facilitate a two-way flow of information to help ACCE member chambers’ company members to export their goods and services. The U.S. Commercial Service can provide information on:
foreign sales and trade event participation opportunities
foreign standards and regulatory changes
U.S. Commercial Service products and services
to the chambers for dissemination to their members.
ACCE member chambers can organize trade missions and introduce their members to the overseas and domestic U.S. Commercial Service offices.

12. Final Words of Advice to U.S. Exporters
In meetings with potential business partners, remember:
Establish your credibility and that of your company at the outset of your meeting, before discussing your company’s products or services.
Sell your prospective business partner on your company first.
Get to know them, too – verify the information they provide and implement a solid credit and collection policy.
Use your common sense.
Remember – everything is negotiable if you and your prospective business partner trust each other.

13. How to Contact the Offices of the U.S. Commercial Service
1-800-USA-TRADE