Orlando, Fla. — The International Buyer Program (IBP) will again offer exhibitors at NPE access to U.S. Department of Commerce professionals in more than 75 countries to facilitate introductions and business deals.
The Plastics Industry Association said in an Oct. 26 news release that it submitted a "competitively selected bid" to provide IBP support and services to exhibitors and international attendees of NPE2018, which runs May 7-11, 2018, in Orlando.
IBP will have a booth on the show floor to assist foreign buyers with identifying and meeting potential U.S. business partners, and to assist exhibitors with interpreter services and export counseling. The goal is to bridge the import-export gap, attract qualified international buyers and show U.S. companies options to grow internationally.
Every year, the government-industry initiative, which is overseen by the department's International Trade Administration, boosts trade show attendance from overseas buyers and results in hundreds of millions of dollars in new business for U.S. companies, according to the plastics' trade group. The Washington, D.C.-based association represents about 1 million workers in a $418 billion industry and has participated in the IBP since 2000.
"In those years, we've increased international attendance 187 percent and now have international participation from 128 countries," President and CEO Bill Carteaux said in the release. "This program provides an exceptional business opportunity for our exhibitors to meet, network and develop business partnerships with international buyers, sales representatives and strategic partners, and provides them with a tremendous value-added service."