To increase awareness about exporting in the U.S. business community, International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
The strategic partnership focuses on small and medium-sized businesses, educating them about the tools and resources organizations provide to help them succeed in the global marketplace.
“Keeping IAEE’s mission of globally promoting the unique value of exhibitions and events as the principal resource for those who plan, produce and service the industry top of mind, I am very pleased that this collaboration will allow and afford new opportunities for our members who rely on international attendees and global exporters to ensure the success of their events,” said Skip Cox, chair, IAEE. “This collaboration comes at a pivotal time for us as we are refocusing our strategic plan on international efforts and making significant strides to engage organizers, exhibitors and attendees globally to minimize barriers to our members’ success.”
Under the MOA, IAEE will cooperate with ITA and its U.S. Commercial Service on marketing, education programs and events leveraging both entities’ expertise to help make U.S. businesses more export savvy. Joint activities may include building awareness through outreach at tradeshows, collaborative press and digital communication, and online registration for resource support.
“We’re pleased to welcome IAEE as a partner in our efforts to strengthen the U.S. economy and support local jobs through expanding U.S. exports,” said Stefan M. Selig, undersecretary of commerce, ITA. “With more than 95 percent of potential customers living outside U.S. borders, the International Trade Administration remains laser-focused on helping U.S. companies of all sizes explore and enter new markets for their world-class products and services.”
In May 2014, Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker launched the next phase of President Obama’s National Export Initiative (NEI) – NEI/NEXT – a customer service-driven strategy with improved information resources that will ensure American businesses are fully able to capitalize on expanded opportunities to sell their goods and services abroad. The partnership supports this initiative by educating U.S. businesses, particularly small and medium-sized companies, about the benefits of exporting and expanding their exports to additional markets. Companies will learn about both public and private sector resources to assist them in going global.
“Representing the interests of the exhibitions and events industry, IAEE is excited to lead this initiative for its members who advocate for and educate industry professionals internationally. We are dedicated to this initiative to ensure sustainable economic growth based on trade initiatives,” said David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA, president and CEO, IAEE.
IAEE now joins several of ITA’s strategic partners who have connected more than 1,500 companies to federal export assistance. IAEE is the largest association of the exhibitions and events industry in the world, with a membership of show organizers, exhibitors and exhibition suppliers.
