Mission Description

The International Trade Administration of U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service in Montreal is organizing a two-day Fashion Accessories Trade Mission to assist U.S. small- and medium-sized, export-ready, companies with a cost effective and highly efficient means to promote their products and services in the Canadian fashion market. In addition to meeting one-on-one, with prescreened potential business partners in Canada, participating firms will receive broad market exposure and valuable insights from market research and focused industry briefings. The mission will take place on April 21 and 22, 2004, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, at a hotel conveniently located in downtown Montreal.

The participation fee of US$1,200 provides each individual participant with:

• Pre-screened and pre-scheduled individual business appointments
  
• Industry briefings on "How to Do Business in Canada" and an "Overview of Montreal's Fashion Industry"
  
• Business counseling services
  
• Logistical support during visit in Canada
  
• Networking opportunities with Canadian organizations and government contacts
  
• Post-event follow-up support

Participation in the Fashion Accessories Trade Mission is suitable for export-ready U.S. manufacturers of fashion accessories products including:

• Hats
  
• Scarves
  
• Ties
  
• Handkerchiefs
  
• Handbags
  
• Gloves
  
• Belts
  
• Hosiery
  
• Shoes and Boots
  
• Hair Accessories
  
• Umbrellas

Commercial Setting

In Canada, imports of fashion accessories have grown steadily in the past five years. The Province of Quebec is Canada's fashion and apparel center. Quebec represents 67 percent of Canadian apparel manufacturers, 63 percent of the total production, and 56 percent of the jobs in this sector. Over 50 percent of the Canadian production comes from firms located on the island of Montreal.

The recent slowdown of the economy has affected consumer spending throughout North America, but retailers are still seeing growth in the accessories market because many people choose to purchase accessories rather than new clothing, which is usually more expensive. Asian countries provide stiff competition in terms of pricing, but many American products are successful in Canada because of their strong brand image and high quality. Over the last year, the value of the Canadian dollar has significantly increased and this creates favorable conditions for U.S. exporters of fashion accessories that wish to penetrate the Canadian market.

Mission Goals

The goal of the Fashion Accessories Trade Mission is to assist U.S. small and medium-sized accessories manufacturers with their trade development in Canada by providing professional business counseling and a cost-effective, low-risk, and hassle-free means to establish valuable long-term business contacts in Canada, our number one export market. The target number of participants for this event is ten U.S. companies.

Mission Scenario

The U.S. Fashion and Accessories Trade Mission is a two-day program taking place in Montreal, Canada. On Day One, U.S. participants will take part in a working breakfast where they will receive up-to-date industry and government briefings before starting their schedule of pre-arranged one-on-one business meetings. Immediately following the last afternoon meeting, a networking reception will also provide participants with valuable exposure. On Day Two, companies will be given a site tour of Montreal's fashion district and of a few landmark stores in downtown Montreal.

Timetable

April 20	arrive in Montreal
April 21	working breakfast seminar one-on-one business meetings networking reception
April 22	morning site tour of Montreal's fashion district afternoon site tour of fashion stores that are landmarks of the Montreal cityscape Program ends at 5 p.m.

Recruitment and Criteria for Participation

The Commercial Service Canada will recruit for this event with support from U.S. Export Assistance Centers, Apparel Team, State Economic Development Offices, U.S. multipliers and associations. Promotion for this event will be handled by e-mail, direct mail, outbound calls, and outreach at local tradeshows. The event will be listed on CS Canada's home page, http://www.ita.doc.gov/CSCanada. The cut off date for recruitment is February 28, 2004. Applications received after that date will be considered only if space and scheduling constrains permit.

The criteria for participation are as follows:

• Receipt of completed Participation Agreement;
  
• Relevance of the company's business line to mission goals;
  
• Potential for business in the Canadian markets;
  
• Timeliness of the company's completed application/ registration material and payment of the mission participation fee of US$1200;
  
• Provision of adequate information on the company's products and/or services and communication of the company's primary objectives;
  
• Certification that the company meets the Department's guidelines for participation;
  
• Certification that the goods and services to be marketed will be either (a) manufactured or produced in the United States; or (b) if manufactured or produced outside the United States, be marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have U.S. content representing at least 51% of the value of the finished good or service.

Recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, including publication in the Federal Register, posting on the Internet, press releases to the general and trade media. Any partisan political activities of an applicant, including political contributions, will be entirely irrelevant to the selection process.

Contact Information

Michèle Parent
Project Manager
U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Consulate - Montreal
1155 Saint-Alexander Street
Montreal, QC H3B 3Z1
Tel: 514 / 398-9695, ext. 2274
Fax: 514 / 398-0711
E-mail: michele.parent@mail.doc.gov