SIDO Leads State-Federal Trade Partnership Initiative

The State International Development Organizations (SIDO), a national organization focused on supporting the international trade agendas of the U.S. states and territories, has taken a leading role in developing a State and Federal Export Promotion Coordination Working Group.

SIDO, an affiliate of The Council of State Governments, helps state international trade agencies better serve American exporters by sharing innovative ideas and resources, and developing policies that help more small businesses export. International trade and export promotion are integral components of state economic development strategies.

In testimony before the House Small Business Committee in 2017, Ann Pardalos, manager of the International Trade and Investment Office for the State of Missouri and a past president of SIDO, underscored the importance of the states and federal government working together to help U.S. small businesses start or increase their exports. “State trade agencies understand they cannot do everything by themselves, and we greatly appreciate the support and partnership of our federal trade partners,” she said. “Each one of our agencies play an important role in helping to secure that final sale.”

In particular, said Pardalos, the State Trade and Expansion Promotion (STEP) grant program is indicative of how state and federal programs can work together. “The STEP grant program has been an important bridge to increase the coordination and communication between state and federal trade agencies— particularly with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the International Trade Administration,” said Pardalos.

No one state trade office is exactly the same. Each state works with a unique set of state and federal resources including: U.S. Export Assistance Centers, Small Business Development Centers, and Export-Import Bank regional offices.

For more information, read the USA Trade Guide online.

Enterprise Florida: Making International Business Your Priority

 

By Manny Mencia

Enterprise Florida is one of America’s leading trade, export development, and foreign direct investment organizations. International is big business in our state and we know what it takes to make it happen.

As North America’s principal gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, billions of dollars in goods flowed through our airports and seaports last year, making Florida the seventh largest exporting state in the U.S., and a leading international business hub. Since 1996, Florida exports have more than doubled, growing from $21 billion to $52 billion in 2016.

Florida’s 60,000 exporters are second only to California and keep goods moving through the state 24 hours a day, while services exports of more than $38 billion rank Florida fourth in the U.S.

The state has significant advantages as a destination for foreign direct investment, ranking sixth in the U.S.in employment and first in the Southeast. Just ask the 260,000 workers who are employed by foreign-owned companies how important that is to them.

Ready to learn more about expanding, relocating, or exporting? Start by contacting Enterprise Florida’s International Trade & Development Division at 305-808-3660 or visiting www.enterpriseflorida.com.

Manny Mencia is Senior Vice President for International Trade & Development at Enterprise Florida Inc.

 

 

The World of Concrete: Solid to the Core

Attend the 2018 Conference: January 23-26 in Las Vegas

 

The most important annual international event of the year for concrete and masonry professionals, WOC 2018 expects to attract 60,000 professional registrants and 1,500 leading suppliers from around the world.

This world-renowned industry event will continue to bring international buyers together with U.S. exhibitors to expand business domestically and overseas. For the 13th consecutive year, the U.S. Department of Commerce has selected the World of Concrete as a participant in the International Buyer Program (IBP). WOC draws significant attendance at each event, working with U.S. Commercial Services posts from around the world.

World of Concrete welcomes international exhibitors to sell their concrete- and masonry-related products and services, as well as international attendee delegations from across the globe to network, test drive equipment and discover new products and services and benefit from a world-class education program.

The 2018 World of Concrete Education Program will include everything from interactive workshops and specialized seminars to hands-on, skill-building sessions. World of Concrete’s world-class education program equips field personnel, project leaders, supervisors and owners with the latest knowledge in every facet of concrete and masonry.

New for 2018: World of Concrete competitions and exhibits will be located in the Bronze Lot, next to South Hall. In addition to the exhibitors in this new area, returning WOC Event favorites include the John Deere Operator Challenge, the Western Star Trucks Get Tough Challenge, and the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® World Championship and much more.

Visit the WOC website for more details about the World of Concrete 2018: January 23-26; Seminars 22-26 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, USA.

Garrett Metal Detectors Discovers Success in Markets Worldwide

Garrett Metal Detectors

Charles and Eleanor Garrett began selling and marketing their company’s first line of metal detectors in 1964. Today, Garrett Metal Detectors remains a world leader in metal detection technology, with exports accounting for more than half of its sales.

Now, after the passing of her husband in 2015, Eleanor is keeping the Garland, Texas-based company focused on quality and service. “The Garrett name has come to stand for more than metal detection; it is a philosophy for unparalleled customer satisfaction,” she says. “We learned over the years that there is no price advantage program, special product feature or other promotional advantage that can replace a satisfied customer.”

Those satisfied customers include companies in the security, military, and sports/hobby sectors. In fact, Garrett Metal Detectors is a leading supplier of walk-through, hand-held and ground search metal detection products, and training for security and law enforcement worldwide. From the Olympic Games to international airports, Garrett’s commercial products are available in more than 120 countries.

Garrett’s Recon Pro countermine detectors are also used worldwide to help countries with the removal of landmines and other unexploded ordinance that pose a danger to civilians and the environment.

In the sports/hobby market, Garrett’s all-terrain metal detectors are popular with treasure hunters worldwide. The company’s proprietary technology works for hunting coins, relics, caches, jewelry, and even gold nuggets.

“As Garrett moves forward in the 21st century,” says Eleanor Garrett, “our mission is to continue the tradition of building and exporting great sport and security detectors for many generations to come.”