The U.S. Department of Commerce's Commercial Service has opened the annual application period for U.S. trade event organizers looking to apply for the 2012 International Buyer Program (IBP). The IBP promotes exports by bringing international buyers together with U.S. firms at U.S. domestic trade events in industries with high export potential.
Under the IBP, U.S. Commercial Service overseas trade specialists located at U.S. embassies and consulates throughout the world work to recruit and bring to the trade show pre-screened foreign buyer delegations, and help organize their plans for identifying and pursuing business prospects among the U.S. exhibitors at the show. The IBP provides additional value to U.S. exhibitors by facilitating face-to-face meetings with prospective foreign buyers at a single venue, saving time, resources, and expense.
Each year, the IBP results in approximately a billion dollars in new business for U.S. companies, as well as increased international attendance for participating U.S. trade show organizers.
The Commercial Service is now accepting IBP applications for trade events taking place between January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012. There is no fee to apply. However, a participation fee will be required if accepted into the program. To be considered for the 2012 IBP, applicants need only submit a completed application form (available through the website link below). Applications for the International Buyer Program for 2012 events must be received by Monday, November 1, 2010.
The Commercial Service expects to complete the 2012 IBP selection process by April 2011. Should the applicant be accepted into the program, a signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) along with applicable program fee will be required within 45 days of the written notification of acceptance. A sample MOA is available at http://www.export.gov/IBP.
The application, filing instructions, sample MOA and more information about the IBP are available at http://www.export.gov/IBP, or, to request an application package, please send an email to [email protected]. For further information, contact Blanche Ziv, IBP Director, at [email protected].