Washington, DC – Applications for participation in the U.S. Department of Commerce U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service 2011 International Buyer Program (IBP) will be accepted from trade show organizers until October 27.
Approximately 35 shows are expected to be accepted into the program and will receive assistance in recruiting international attendees from the Commercial Service’s offices in more than 70 nations.
The program is aimed at bringing potential customers to U.S. exporters, particularly small and medium-sized companies. Commercial Service personnel will offer the services in market analysis and match-making to exhibitors at IBP shows.
Upcoming IBP shows, including 36 in 2010, include the International Consumer Electronics Show, World of Concrete, American Toy Fair and the Greater New York Dental Meeting. The shows selected for 2011 will be announced by March 2010.
The program is open to all trade shows held in the 2011 calendar year except for events that are non-industry specific or are making their initial launch. Eligible events must also prove that their industry has a strong export potential and that the show itself “is clearly recognized by the industry it covers as a leading event for the promotion of the industry’s products and services both domestically and internationally.”
Organizers are also required to show they can handle a large crowd of attendees who don’t speak English, will offer incentives for overseas delegations, and have procedures in place for the protection of their exhibitors’ intellectual property.
A participation fee of $8,000 for shows of five days or less must be paid within 45 days of acceptance. Shows that run more than five days or require one of the IBP’s international business centers on-site will pay a $14,000 participation fee.
Applications may be downloaded at www.export.gov/ibp; however, organizers are urged to send them to Washington via overnight delivery, such as FedEx, United Parcel Service or U.S. Postal Service express mail.
Reach IBP Director Blanche Ziv at (202) 482-4207 or blanche.ziv@mail.doc.gov
