International Trade Calendar
Here is a selected list of international trade events of interest, including ITA-sponsored events, as well as a selection of upcoming international trade fairs. The U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (USFCS) maintains a comprehensive listing of industry shows at www.export.gov.
March 2008
March 3–11
Trade Mission to Sub-Saharan Africa
Accra, Ghana; Lagos, Nigeria; Johannesburg, South Africa
This trade mission will put U.S. firms in direct contact with potential business partners and will help them sell equipment and services in these three African cities. Targeted sectors include energy, health care, information technology, safety and security, and telecommunications. The mission will be led by Israel Hernandez, director general of the USFCS, and will include business-to-business matchmaking with local companies, market briefings, and more. For more information, contact Jessica Arnold of the USFCS, tel.: (202) 482-2026; e-mail: jessica.arnold@mail.doc.gov.
March 4
Ensuring Payment for International Sales Webinar
Chicago, Illinois
This Web-based seminar will outline common international methods of payment used in global trade, risk mitigation tools, and effects of the International Chamber of Commerce’s Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credit (UCP 600). For more information, contact Amelia Goeppinger of the USFCS, tel.: (612) 348-1643; e-mail: amelia.goeppinger@mail.doc.gov.
March 4–8
Hong Kong International Jewellery Show
Hong Kong
Exhibits at this show will include all kinds of precious jewelry, gems, and related products and services. The Commercial Service’s Hong Kong office is organizing a U.S. pavilion, and it will offer logistical support to U.S. exhibitors. For more information, contact Mara Yachnin of the USFCS, tel.: (202) 482-6238; e-mail: mara.yachnin@mail.doc.gov.
March 6
Selling Medical Equipment in Brazil Webinar
São Paulo, Brazil
This Webinar will show companies that are thinking of doing business in Brazil how to determine if their medical equipment has a potential market. It was also tell them how to register their products and how to know if their in-country distributor can help with the regulatory approval process. (A similar program on Mexico is scheduled for April 22.) For more information, contact Gabriela Zelaya of the USFCS, tel.: (408) 535-2744; e-mail: gabriela.zelaya@mail.doc.gov or Pompeya Lambrecht, tel.: (602) 277-5223; e-mail: pompeya.lambrecht@mail.doc.gov.
March 9–12
Enterprise Florida Trade Mission to the Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
This event is organized by Enterprise Florida and USFCS Santo Domingo. Participating companies will receive a briefing on how to do business in the Dominican Republic. One-on-one meetings with potential buyers will be arranged that best fit the profiles of the participating companies. For more information, contact Sheila Andujar of the USFCS, tel.: (809) 227-2121; e-mail: sheila.andujar@mail.doc.gov.
March 12–15
Musikmesse
Frankfurt, Germany
This event is the world’s largest trade fair for musical instruments, music software and computer hardware, sheet music, and accessories. It offers suppliers and buyers of musical instruments an excellent platform from which to reach their target groups. For more information, contact Volker Wirsdorf of the USFCS, tel.: +49 (69) 7535-3150; e-mail: volker.wirsdorf@mail.doc.gov.
March 16–18
International Home and Housewares Show 2008
Chicago, Illinois
More than 60,000 professional attendees from more than 100 countries are expected to attend this show, which is the world’s largest home and housewares marketplace. It will offer first-class educational and networking opportunities for specialty retailers and corporate buyers. For more information, contact Graylin Presbury of the USFCS, tel.: (202) 482-5158; e-mail: graylin.presbury@mail.doc.gov.
March 19–21
Convergence India 2008
New Delhi, India
This three-day show is the premier event for companies interested in the South Asian information and communications technology market. Last year’s show featured 455 participating companies from 24 countries, and it received 21,486 trade visitors. For more information, contact Deborah Semb of the USFCS, tel.: (202) 482-0677; e-mail: deborah.semb@mail.doc.gov.
March 31–April 4
INDUSTRIE Paris 2008
Paris, France
INDUSTRIE Paris 2008 is the leading European trade show for industrial production, including machine tools, fabrication hardware and software, and related industries. The organizers anticipate 1,500 exhibitors and more than 50,000 trade visitors. For more information, contact Charles Defranchi of the USFCS, tel.: +33 (0) 1 43-12-71-63; e-mail: charles.defranchi@mail.doc.gov.
On the Horizon
April 7–8
Access Africa Summit 2008
Lisbon, Portugal
Demand for infrastructure development, consumer goods, technology, and agricultural equipment is growing in Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa. This two-day seminar will focus on the trade and investment links through Portugal that can be leveraged for increased access to those countries. Conference sponsors will include U.S. finance and insurance institutions, as well as local chambers of commerce and member firms. For more information, contact Ana Vila of the USFCS, tel.: +351 (21) 770-2532; e-mail: ana.vila@mail.doc.gov.
April 7–13
High Point Market—Spring
High Point, North Carolina
High Point Market, a semiyearly event, is the largest trade show for the furniture and home furnishings industry. Recent shows have attracted 2,600 exhibitors from 110 countries, with a trade attendance of about 85,000 (of whom 10 percent are international buyers). For more information, contact Eugene Quinn of the USFCS, tel.: (202) 482-0578; e-mail: eugene.quinn@mail.doc.gov.
April 16–17
Complying with U.S. Export Controls
Chicago, Illinois
This two-day program will cover the information exporters need to know to comply with U.S. export control requirements on commercial goods as specified in the Export Administration Regulations. Presenters from the Bureau of Industry and Security will conduct a number of hands-on exercises that will prepare participants to apply the regulations to their own company’s export activities. For more information, contact Jeffrey Graber of the USFCS, tel.: (312) 353-7711; e-mail: jeffrey.graber@mail.doc.gov.