MADISON, WI.
Dec. 18, 2014
–The
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is seeking companies to take
part in a Global Trade Venture in Mexico in March.

Offered in
partnership with the Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG), the seven-day
trip will include visits to Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara, thus
equipping participating companies to successfully deal with Mexico’s regional
differences and large geographic area.

The Global Trade
Venture to Mexico—Wisconsin’s second-largest export destination—takes place
from March 1 to 7. Registration information can be found at InWisconsin.com/Mexico2015. The
registration deadline is Jan. 5.

Once a company
registers, a member of WEDC’s International Business Development staff will get
in touch to discuss the company’s export strategy and goals for the Mexico
trip. WEDC staff will then schedule one-on-one meetings in each city for each
participant, pairing participants with companies whose needs or capabilities
align with their own companies’ export objectives.

These potential
in-market partners are hand-picked for each company; participants are welcome
to request meetings with specific parties or to let WEDC do the research and
recommend potential partners.

The fee for this
program is $3,845, which covers market research and one-on-one appointments;
pre-trip and in-country staff support; group transportation between airport and
hotel in each city; a country business briefing; and a group networking dinner.

Wisconsin
participants may be eligible for a WEDC International Market Access Grant that
would cover all or part of the venture fee, and may cover some other costs as
well. Costs that are not covered in the venture fee include airfare
(international and within Mexico), lodging, non-group meals, transportation to
one-on-one meetings, and interpreter fees.

WEDC and CGLG
chose Mexico for this trip because it is an essential market for companies from
the U.S. and Wisconsin. In 2013, Wisconsin companies exported more than $2.5
billion in goods to Mexico, making it the second-largest export destination for
the state. The number of Wisconsin exports to the country rose 16 percent in
2013 and continues to grow in 2014—which means there are ample opportunities
for Wisconsin companies in all industries.

Although the “old
wisdom” holds that the U.S. imports products from Mexico, increasingly, trade
flows both ways. Mexico is party to the North American Free Trade Agreement and
is historically deeply entwined with the U.S. due to geographic proximity. It
is among the easiest markets to enter for Wisconsin companies that are new to
exporting, and it is a logical first step if a company’s export plan includes
Latin America.

Companies in all
sectors can benefit from this program, but those in the following sectors
should especially consider attending:

·        
Manufacturing and manufacturing equipment

·        
Energy, power and control

·        
Automotive

·        
Clean technology

·        
Food and beverage

·        
Agriculture and agricultural equipment

·        
Electronics, home appliances and other consumer products

Like Canada (where
WEDC will be leading another Global Trade Venture later the same month),
Mexico is a relatively easy market for U.S. companies to enter, even if they
are new to exporting. Export growth tends to come faster for U.S. companies in
these two countries than in other international markets, said Katy Sinnott,
WEDC’s vice president of International business Development. The Global Trade
Ventures to Mexico and Canada take place early enough in the year that
companies may even see export growth, as a result of the trip, before the end
of the calendar year, she added.

“What would take a
year and a half elsewhere might take only eight to 12 months in Canada or
Mexico,” Sinnott said.

Companies with
questions about this Global Trade Venture should contact Mark Rhoda-Reis at
608.210.6757 or mark.rhodareis@wedc.org, or visit
InWisconsin.com/TradeVentures.