Deadlines Set For USMEF Branded Program
Deadlines Set For USMEF Branded Program
While many companies already have signed up to participate in USMEF’s Branded Program in 2008, there are additional opportunities for businesses with fewer than 500 employees interested in entering the export market or increasing their international sales.
Branded program funds can be used to support a company’s attendance at trade shows, in-store promotions, trade seminars and many of the expenses associated with those activities. Four key trade shows in Asia and the United States take place in April and May, and the deadline for applying for Branded Program funds to participate in those shows is March 1.
A number of companies have reported very positive results from participation in international trade shows. One meat company attending the FMI Show for the first time said it “opened our eyes” to the export potential of its products, noting that it made $370,000 in sales to Puerto Rico, even though it was not among its target markets.
Another company reported that participation in the FoodEx Show in Tokyo proved valuable for establishing relationships with Japanese importers – including three new importers it began working with in 2006 — that have resulted in more than $13 million in direct sales.
USMEF hosts a booth at a number of shows around the world each year. In addition to booth space near the USMEF booth, our international staff can assist with meeting clients and developing valuable trade leads.
USMEF still has booth space available at the following shows in 2008:
- Food and Hotel Asia in Singapore - April 22-25
- SIAL China in Shanghai - May 14-16
- Thaifex in Bangkok - May 21-23
- USMEF Product Showcase in Las Vegas – May 22
- Taiwan International Food Show - June 18-21
- Americas Food and Beverage in Miami - September 24-26
- World Food Expo in Moscow - September 23-26
Due to the strong response to this year’s Branded Program, USMEF has introduced application deadlines to ensure an equitable allocation of resources to interested companies. The deadlines also allow USMEF to ensure sufficient time to process applications and pay out program funds to companies so that arrangements can be made. The 2008 deadlines are as follows:
- For shows and activities in April and May, the deadline is March 1.
- For shows and activities from June to September, the deadline is April 1.
- For shows and activities from September to December, the deadline is June 1
USMEF encourages companies to include all shows and activities for the year in one application so as to avoid paying the application fee more than once. If proposed activities fall across more than one deadline period, they will be considered for the first period and then again as an addendum to the original contract for those activities that fall in the second period.
Please direct inquiries and applications to Rebecca Luria-Phillips (rphillips@usmef.org), who is managing the Branded Program while Barbara Watson is on extended leave.
Deadlines Set For USMEF Branded Program
While many companies already have signed up to participate in USMEF’s Branded Program in 2008, there are additional opportunities for businesses with fewer than 500 employees interested in entering the export market or increasing their international sales.
Branded program funds can be used to support a company’s attendance at trade shows, in-store promotions, trade seminars and many of the expenses associated with those activities. Four key trade shows in Asia and the United States take place in April and May, and the deadline for applying for Branded Program funds to participate in those shows is March 1.
A number of companies have reported very positive results from participation in international trade shows. One meat company attending the FMI Show for the first time said it “opened our eyes” to the export potential of its products, noting that it made $370,000 in sales to Puerto Rico, even though it was not among its target markets.
Another company reported that participation in the FoodEx Show in Tokyo proved valuable for establishing relationships with Japanese importers – including three new importers it began working with in 2006 — that have resulted in more than $13 million in direct sales.
USMEF hosts a booth at a number of shows around the world each year. In addition to booth space near the USMEF booth, our international staff can assist with meeting clients and developing valuable trade leads.
USMEF still has booth space available at the following shows in 2008:
- Food and Hotel Asia in Singapore - April 22-25
- SIAL China in Shanghai - May 14-16
- Thaifex in Bangkok - May 21-23
- USMEF Product Showcase in Las Vegas – May 22
- Taiwan International Food Show - June 18-21
- Americas Food and Beverage in Miami - September 24-26
- World Food Expo in Moscow - September 23-26
Due to the strong response to this year’s Branded Program, USMEF has introduced application deadlines to ensure an equitable allocation of resources to interested companies. The deadlines also allow USMEF to ensure sufficient time to process applications and pay out program funds to companies so that arrangements can be made. The 2008 deadlines are as follows:
- For shows and activities in April and May, the deadline is March 1.
- For shows and activities from June to September, the deadline is April 1.
- For shows and activities from September to December, the deadline is June 1
USMEF encourages companies to include all shows and activities for the year in one application so as to avoid paying the application fee more than once. If proposed activities fall across more than one deadline period, they will be considered for the first period and then again as an addendum to the original contract for those activities that fall in the second period.
Please direct inquiries and applications to Rebecca Luria-Phillips (rphillips@usmef.org), who is managing the Branded Program while Barbara Watson is on extended leave.