Positioning Pennsylvania Companies for Export Success
Exporting offers companies an opportunity to grow by expanding the sale of their products or services in international markets. In 2016, Pennsylvania businesses exported $36.5 billion in goods and services, with top export destinations including Canada, Mexico, China, and the United Kingdom.
Bringing the World to PA
Pennsylvania has one of the largest networks of overseas offices of any state, providing support for our companies looking for success in international markets. For two weeks every September, Pennsylvania companies interested in selling their goods and services internationally are invited to participate in Bringing the World to PA (BTW2PA), a biannual event coordinated by DCED’s Office of International Business Development (OIBD).
“The [Authorized Trade Representatives] give us valuable information on how to approach the market, and also identify the key players in the respective markets.”
– Channy Tokura, President of DynAccess Ltd.
During Bringing the World to PA, businesses learn about available business development resources through presentations and one-on-one meetings with Pennsylvania’s Authorized Trade Representatives (ATRs), who cover 52 international markets worldwide. Over the course of two-week event, the ATRs travel across the state to meet with new and existing clients.
Working with the Regional Export Network (REN), more than 220 Pennsylvania companies — including 63 first-time attendees — participated in BTW2PA this year, resulting in more than 1,075 individual meetings with OIBD’s ATRs. Companies met with the 15 ATRs to identify and develop foreign market intelligence and agent and distributor candidates, as well as industry and government contacts.
Every Pennsylvania company is able to access the state’s ATRs for assistance in entering international markets. OIBD and the REN work together to provide Pennsylvania manufacturing and service firms with export development services, including market research, market entry strategies, educational seminars and technical training, and access to grant programs and financing.
For more information on Bringing the World to PA or export services in Pennsylvania, contact OIBD’s Director, Jennifer Black. To stay up-to-date on all Pennsylvania news, follow DCED on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
In her role as Executive Director of Export Development, Jennifer Black plans and directs Pennsylvania’s export promotion and international trade initiatives. She also manages Pennsylvania’s authorized trade representatives in Germany, the Netherlands, and India.
