new
exporters
to border states
By Joanne Serafin
"The mission to
Buffalo provided a quick overview of the main elements to successful exporting to the USA,
and then supplied an effective route map as to where to get further specific information
for particular business situations. I will recommend this program to clients who are
exporting or have ambitions for exporting to the USA." Hugh Latif, a consultant and
participant in the NEBS Mission to Buffalo, September 1999.
what is the
new exporters to border states (nebs) program?
It's an export
education program that usually targets Canadian companies that are not yet exporting to
the United States. However, companies with some export experience often participate in New
Exporters to Border States (NEBS) missions and still get a lot out of the program.
NEBS missions as they
are commonly known, are delivered by the Trade Sections of our Canadian Consulates in the
U.S. - they report to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade - in
cooperation with a network of regional domestic partners, including the International
Trade Centre of Industry Canada and Ontario Exports Inc.
NEBS missions vary
depending on the destination and interest of the participants. These missions introduce
the essentials of exporting, including practical trade information, and provide first-hand
exposure to markets in U.S. border states. Since its inception in 1982, over 12,500 small
and medium-sized companies have participated in NEBS missions with over half of those who
attend a NEBS actually becoming active exporters within a year of the mission. Missions
commonly last from one to three days and include:
 |
Pre-mission
briefing on export services and programs available from the federal and provincial
governments;
|
|
Travel to a
Canadian post in the United States;
|
|
Briefing on the
border procedures;
|
|
Presentations by
U.S. manufacturer's representatives, sales agents, distributors or buyers;
|
|
Tours of the
relevant trade shows and networking opportunities;
|
|
Visits to local
wholesalers or retailers;
|
|
Briefings on local
U.S. markets;
|
|
Meetings with
Canadian Consulate Trade Officers and potential agents or distributors;
|
|
Distribution of
export information guides and kits.
|
The fee for
participation in a NEBS program varies but it usually ranges from $100 to $150 U.S. in
addition to the hotel room for one night and dinner. In some instances, transportation is
included.
Here is a case study
from Buffalo, New York, September 22-23, 1999.
