Ed Harlin
Vice President Sales
OFIC North America Inc.

Market Visits

Shake hands with your new customers... in their country!

Face-to-face meetings are as important to international business as they are to domestic marketing. We help Virginia companies meet potential customers and partners through participation in market visits. These well-planned visits are business meetings set up on your behalf, with your input, to save you time and maximize your results. Participants also receive language assistance, facilities coordination and networking receptions. For more information, contact Scott Kennedy, Trade Events Manager, at (804) 545-5754 or by email at skennedy@yesvirginia.org.

You’ll discover:
  • Fast-track itinerary saves time
  • Surprisingly affordable
  • New customers & partners
  • Advance planning minimizes risk
  • Our professionals make it easy & efficient

Group Market Visits
VEDP International Trade arranges trips for several companies to travel together to meet face-to-face with prospects. These potential buyers or distributors are pre-qualified, based on information you provide to meet your export market objectives. Language assistance, meeting facilitation, in-country transportation and networking receptions are other benefits. Click here for our group market visit schedule.

Independent Market Visits
When group visits do not match your schedule or target country, our Global Network team can help arrange an Independent Market Visit. You get logistical support, matchmaking assistance, a consultant to accompany you on your appointments or trade show support. Costs vary by country and the length of visit. Click here for our PDF about independent market visits.

 

title-programs

Market Visit Related Links
Market Visit contact:

Scott Kennedy
Trade Events Manager
(804) 545-5754
skennedy@yesvirginia.org

If you are experiencing difficulty with this web page or find broken links, please contact our web administrator.

Exporting 101
Exporting 101
1. Should you be exporting?

Why should a Virginia company consider exporting? Increased sales and profits, for starters. Virginia manufacturing companies sold $11.6 billion in exports in 2006. And Virginia firms exported an estimated $6.5 billion in services 2003. Profits generated by that level of exports can be substantial. Today, Multimodal transportation, computerized and real-time shipping documents, new trade agreements, electronic banking—and the internet—make it much easier for most businesses.

Exporting 101
2. Headline

Successful exporting requires a significant commitment. If you envision selling internationally becoming a part of your company’s sales, then focus, planning and preparation are required. Your company should meet at least two of the following guidelines:

  • Profitable in the U.S. market
  • Over 3 years in operation
  • Specific product benefits
  • Niche expertise in your professional service
Exporting 101
3. Headline

To evaluate readiness to sell internationally, consider these three major areas:

  • Management Committment: Senior management must be committed to selling internationally, and must make resources available for a sustained effort.
  • Financial Committment: It takes capital to export. Upfront costs include international travel, international shipping, translating print materials and websites and sometimes involves training and hiring additional staff.
  • Time Commitment: It often takes one to three years before a company sees a payoff. Business moves slower in many parts of the world. In addition, selling internationally requires the development of personal relationships with customers and partners.
Exporting 101
4. Headline
  • If your product/service is in demand domestically, chances are, international customers would value it as well.
  • Is exporting consistent with company goals?
  • If your product/service has seasonal cycles, perhaps selling internationally could help level out the sales process, as various regions of the world have different seasonal demands.
  • "Adjustments" may be necessary for your products or services, such as patent or trademark protection, product labeling, adding metric measurements, or obtaining foreign standards and approvals.
Exporting 101
5. Headline

Virginia businesses that are ready to sell internationally have a competitive advantage— being able to call their local VEDP International Trade Manager for assistance every step of the way. VEDP services and programs (described throughout this web site) are available to Virginia businesses. Visit your local Trade Manager’s web page or call us at (804) 545-5764 to find out which international markets are favorable for your company’s products/services.

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