Trade Fairs and Missions

Trade fairs and trade missions help Canadian companies expand their interests in global markets. Market information, financial assistance and assistance with the logistical details associated with participating in these events are provided, freeing a company to concentrate on its marketing efforts.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for participation in such a trade activity, companies must:

• be incorporated and operating in Canada;
• produce a product or service with 50% or more Canadian content and/or be likely to generate significant economic benefits for Canada;
• have fulfilled reporting repayment requirements on all Program for Export Market Development (PEMD) projects;
• be registered with FAITC's Virtual Trade Commissioner (VTC) database or Industry Canada's Canadian Company Capabilities.

Summary

What services are available?

The six core services provided by the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) at the offices abroad include market prospects, visit information, local company information, key contacts searches, face-to-face briefings, and troubleshooting. Market prospects include notifying Canadian clients of upcoming events (trade fairs, conferences, seminars, trade missions) through the use of the Virtual Trade Commissioner and InfoExport.gc.ca.

For the following services, the TCS will refer clients to a third-party who generally charges a fee: extensive program of appointments, logistical support, business support services, participation in events, temporary office or display space. For more information on TCS services, please visit the Web site.

The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service provides support for trade missions that cover various sectors of Canadian industry and diverse international markets. The roles and responsibilities of the TCS and other trade mission participants are clarified in advance of the event using the Business Mission Agreement.

The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service recruits companies and establishes an itinerary based on the needs of the participants, and briefing sessions are held to explain local market practices and customs. Industry participants must pay all their direct costs, i.e. airfare, accommodation, meals, etc. In addition, companies must pay a participation fee, which is used to offset such costs as hospitality, group transportation, publicity and rental of meeting rooms.

Outgoing Trade Missions

Outgoing trade missions are visits by selected Canadian firms to a target foreign market. They provide an opportunity for new-to-market companies to obtain current information and intelligence in preparation for market entry. Participants gain exposure and establish key contacts in the target market. This enables them to make informed decisions upon which they can build their export marketing plans.

Incoming Trade Missions

Incoming trade missions are visits to Canada by foreign buyers/investors, designed to increase the visitors' knowledge of Canada as a potential source of supply, a place of investment, or to arrange a joint venture. They enable Canadian companies included in the itinerary to promote their goods/services to the visitors and develop important business contacts.

Trade Fairs

Trade fairs abroad covering various industry sectors and a broad range of export markets provide exporters, interested or newly established in the target market, with an opportunity to promote their products and services, identify potential sales opportunities, develop valuable business contacts and/or locate agents and distributors. Trade fairs also enable participants to assess competition from other suppliers and gather other market intelligence, which will assist them to penetrate the market. Trade fair participation is funded through cost-sharing, so charges for participating companies will vary. The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service will contract out to third parties the coordination of exhibits, rental of exhibit space, design, construction, set-up and dismantling of exhibit structures. The TCS may provide official hospitality and a coordinated publicity program in the context of a Business Mission Agreement.

Manitoba Contact(s):
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
4th Floor
400 St. Mary Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3C 4K5
Telephone: 204-983-5851
Fax: 204-983-3182
Toll-free (information): 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada)
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-9136
E-mail: wnnpg@international.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/international/index.aspx?lang=eng
 

National Contact(s):
Regional Office Support Unit
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0G2
Telephone: 613-944-0300; 1-888-306-9991 (feedback line)
Toll-free (information): 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada)
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-9136
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/international/index.aspx?lang=eng