Trade Directors Speak on Opportunities for Wisconsin Exporters

The directors of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce's trade promotion offices (Nancy Ward from Canada, Vince Lencioni from Mexico, Claudia Tomaselli from Brazil, and Paul Swenson from China) traveled to Wisconsin during the week of May 11-15 to meet with current and beginning exporters. For over 20 years the directors of Wisconsin's international trade promotion offices have made a trip to Wisconsin coinciding with the annual Wisconsin International Trade Conference in May, the largest gathering of trade professionals in the state. Additional events are held throughout the state that same week. The directors' visit draws attention to the opportunities and resources available for Wisconsin firms interested into building international sales.

On May 11 the Milwaukee 7 Water Council planned an event for its member companies highlighting water-related business opportunities in the markets where the state has representation. The trade directors provided 10-15 minute presentations on opportunities in their respective countries. There were a total of 14 one-on-one appointments held in conjunction with this event.

More than 500 people attended the full-day Wisconsin International Trade Conference in Milwaukee on May 12. The directors had 45 one-on-one appointments with 25 companies during the course of the day.

On Wednesday, May 13, the directors spoke at events in Sheboygan and Green Bay. The breakfast briefing event sponsored by the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce attracted 31 attendees from 21 companies/organizations. The directors had 16 one-on-one appointments with 10 companies later in the morning. The Northeast Wisconsin International Business Development Program organized an afternoon program that drew 32 attendees from 22 companies/organizations. There were 16 one-on-one appointments with 8 companies there.

Northcentral Technical College, in partnership with the UW-Madison Center for International Business, Education and Research (CIBER) and as part of the Commerce Global Partnership Services (GPS) program, organized a full day conference for north central Wisconsin companies on Thursday, May 14. Each of the directors gave a 10-15 minute presentation with updates on business conditions, opportunities and strategies for success in their respective markets. Additional presentations were given by representatives of UW-Madison, Harley Davidson, M.E. Dey and M&I Bank. There were 34 attendees from 21 companies/organizations. The directors had 14 one-on-one appointments with 6 companies.

The Madison International Trade Association (MITA) again hosted the directors at a breakfast briefing on the last day of their visit to Wisconsin that drew 38 participants from 28 companies or organizations. The event is much more informal than other events during the week. The directors gave 3-5 minute overviews of recent developments in their markets but the majority of the time was devoted to individual or small-group conversations with business people. Later that morning, the directors held 18 one-on-one appointments at the Department of Commerce offices.

-- Stanley Pfrang