Spring Market 2009 marks the second year in a row that the Market has been designated a U.S. Commercial Service International Buyer Program (IBP) event, and as Market opens here this week, Market officials report that the program is gaining significant momentum.
“This is our second IBP Market and we continue to work closely with the U.S. Commercial Service, under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Commerce and their network of trade specialists around the world, to promote the High Point Market and increase our presence abroad,” says Brian D. Casey, president and chief executive officer of the High Point Market Authority. “International business development requires patience and perseverance, yet we’re already seeing the metric move in a positive direction for our Market, thanks to the exceptional level of cooperation and close relationship we’ve enjoyed with the U.S. Commercial Service representatives in Washington and the more than 80 consulates around the world.”
Since last Market, the two organizations have collaborated on several educational programs designed to assist High Point Market exhibitors of all sizes in navigating the global marketplace. “Earlier this Spring, for example, we teamed with senior trade specialists from the U.S. Commercial Services to present a webinar entitled, ‘“Going Global: Exploring Export Opportunities in Furniture,”’ Casey describes. “That event provided manufacturers with insight into the myriad business services offered by the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Services. For those who missed this educational opportunity, we’ve archived the event on our website, www.highpointmarket.org under the Exhibitor Services tab.”
Additionally, the Market Authority has developed an Export Interest Directory featuring those High Point Market exhibitors that have expressed an interest in export opportunities. The directory, which includes listings by product category and building, will be distributed to international buyers throughout Market this week.
Arriving delegations include buyers from Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Ukraine, Kenya, Honduras and Canada. These delegations are in addition to international buying organizations traveling to High Point this week from Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America, Asia and the Pacific Rim countries, Africa and the Middle East.
“The IBP program is not only helping us to attract more international buyers to this Market, it is strengthening awareness of the High Point Market, and what it represents as the world’s home for home furnishings, to a global audience. Being awarded this designation, and recognized by the Department of Commerce as a viable U.S. Market worthy of this level of valuable support, has been a wonderful opportunity, both for our Market and for the companies that exhibit here. At a time when it’s never been more critical for companies to diversify their customer bases in order to buffer the challenging economic environment, this program is a prime example of how the High Point Market is more than a bi-annual trade show, but in fact, a catalyst to move business forward and improve the performance of this industry as a whole.”
Indeed, says Eugene Quinn, International Trade Specialist and Project Officer Global Trade Programs, U.S. Department of Commerce, “The High Point Market is a real chance to increase your bottom line. It’s an opportunity to meet potential partners in key countries, and to open new markets with assistance from the U.S. Commercial Service.”
Quinn will be on hand, along with a number of Trade Specialists during Market week in the International Buyer Center, to coordinate matchmaking opportunities between exhibitors and buyers.
Finally, an additional resource will be made available to Market exhibitors here this week. An Export Resource Guide in compact disc format includes electronic copies of export brochures from the Department of Commerce. Among the topics:
A Basic Guide to Exporting
Export Programs Guide
Top U.S. Export Markets
Protect Your Intellectual Property
Trade Finance Guide
Country Guides, Argentina – Vietnam
Market Reports – Canada, China, Brazil, Korea, Japan
To pick up a copy of the Export Resource Guide or schedule an appointment with Quinn, email: Eugene.quinn@mail.doc.gov or call the International Buyer Center at 336-869-1120 (this number will only be operational during Market). Additionally, any High Point Market exhibitor who wishes to network with international buyers during Market should make plans to attend the Welcome Reception for International Visitors scheduled for Monday, April 27, 2009, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the String & Splinter Club here in High Point.
About the High Point Market Authority: The High Point Market Authority is the official sponsor of the High Point Market in High Point, North Carolina. Featuring an extensive selection of exhibitors spanning every category, style and price point, encompassing some 12 million square feet of exhibit space, and attracting tens of thousands of visitors from more than 110 countries twice each year, the High Point Market is the driving force of the home furnishings industry. For additional information, visit www.highpointmarket.org.
About the U.S. Commercial Service: With its network of offices across the U.S. and in more than 80 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. In 2007, the U.S. Commercial Service helped generate nearly 12,000 export successes worth billions of dollars in U.S. export sales. For more information, visit www.export.gov.