DENVER (May 8, 2003) – Even though it’s only a year old this month, the U...

DENVER (May 8, 2003) – Even though it’s only a year old this month, the U.S. Meat Export Federation has announced that its highly successful Web site www.usmef.org has just completed another round of improvements to further increase its benefits.

“When the site was launched last May,” said Information Services Vice President Lynn Heinze, “it was a major leap forward from the old USMEF site. But we couldn’t rest there. Our goal is to constantly improve the site’s usefulness to our many audiences here and abroad.”

A database of U.S. meat suppliers and international meat buyers from nearly 80 countries is at the heart of one of the most recent innovations. USMEF members are able to update their own “supplier” information at any time through the site, and these changes are reflected almost instantly. At the other end of the transaction, in-country USMEF staff verify and update international buyer information constantly to ensure U.S. suppliers can contact these qualified sales leads.

The USMEF Web site search engines quickly access the improved database to “Find U.S. Suppliers,” or to “Find International Buyers.” Searchers may select by market, species or even meat cut to find company names, contact information and other details. In addition, exporters and importers will find useful tools on these pages to help them succeed in international meat trade.

Another major change involves the site’s 11 new “international market homes.” Each home page provides detailed information about the market, USMEF forecasts of its potential and recent news about USMEF activities. In addition, a new customized right menu on each home page provides direct links to everything from general data about the country to current export statistics and requirements.

The site’s library has been expanded and a variety of new materials are slated to be added to the already abundant resources during the next four to six months.

The site’s menu structure also has been changed to simplify navigation. “Members and others told us the multiple menus previously featured on the site were often confusing. Now, whether you visit anonymously or as a USMEF member, you will have the same left and top navigational aides with you at all times,” said Heinze. “You’ll find the same thing in the same way and at the same place every time.”

For USMEF members, the site offers another important advantage – instant, automatic and simultaneous access to public and “member only” services. “When a member logs in, there’s no reason for him to search around to find ‘member benefits.’ All member and public resources are served up at the click of a mouse from the consistent member menu,” Heinze noted.

“The site’s goal is to support the USMEF mission of ‘putting U.S. meat on the world’s table’,” Heinze notes. “To accomplish this goal, we know that www.usmef.org will have to be just as dynamic and innovative as world trade itself. This means more improvements down the road.”

The U.S. Meat Export Federation is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn, sorghum and soybean checkoff programs.

– USMEF –