Issue link: https://tradeshowexecutive.epubxp.com/i/107551
FE ATU R E 1 Get Government Support for International Initiatives While many trade show executives are familiar with the Commerce Department's International Buyer Program, you may not know about the Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP), administered by the International Trade Administration (ITA). MDCP awards include fnancial and technical assistance for not-for-proft groups and trade associations to support projects that enhance the global competitiveness of U.S. industries. In 2011, the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) was awarded $500,000 (MDCP's prior award limit) to help its members increase exports in China and the Middle East. SEMA, producer of the SEMA Show, is matching this with $1.5 million of its own funds in support of a three-year, foreign market-development project. "Te program has been a real winner for us, and our exhibitors and members have been pleased with the results," said Peter MacGillivray, vice president of events and communications, SEMA. "It goes beyond the show, but it has certainly helped our show because of the relationships we've developed." SEMA, in partnership with ITA, has educated its members about exporting to China and the Middle East, and organized fve business development conferences in both regions. MacGillivray says the association plans to expand into Brazil and Russia next. In addition, SEMA brought the Toyota HiLux, a truck that is manufactured and marketed abroad but is not sold in the U.S., to its most recent show. SEMA displayed the vehicle so that members could take measurements to create new products for this popular vehicle. "Without the program's support, we wouldn't have been able to do it," said MacGillivray. SEMA Show, which ranked No. 4 on the TSE Gold 100 in 2012, attracted 131,000 attendees and 2,140 exhibiting companies covering 935,000 nsf at the Las Vegas Convention Center in 2011. MDCP participants pledge to pay a minimum of two-thirds of the project cost and to sustain the project afer the MDCP award period ends. Te 2013 competition was opened in mid-January, and the deadline for submissions is February 28. Download an application at: http://ita.doc.gov/td/mdcp/index.html. For more information, contact Brad Hess, MDCP Manager, (202) 482-2969 or Brad.Hess@trade.gov Reach Peter at (909) 610-2030 or PeterM@sema.org Uncle Sam's Truck. The U.S. International Buyer Program helped bring a new Toyota HiLux to The SEMA Show. The vehicle isn't available in the U.S. but SEMA attendees were able to get a close look at it for development of aftermarket accessories and parts for export to places where the HiLux is sold. 46 February 2013 | Trade Show Executive