Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Press Release

Wisconsin Companies Invited to Join Trade Venture to Germany

Business development trip coincides with the world’s premier industrial technology trade show, financial assistance available for small businesses to help with exhibit costs

By - Dec 10th, 2015 01:39 pm

MADISON, WI, Dec. 10, 2015 – The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) invites companies to join the Wisconsin delegation at Hannover Messe, the world’s leading industrial technology event, taking place in Germany in April.

Participation options include taking part in WEDC’s global trade venture to explore export expansion opportunities and subsidized tradeshow exhibition space at the show for small businesses that meet certain criteria.

Wisconsin and Germany have a long history of trade and cultural ties, and Germany consistently places among Wisconsin’s top export destinations. It ranked sixth in 2014, with $731 million in goods and services produced by Wisconsin companies going to Germany.

Germany is the powerhouse of the European economy, with a GDP of $3.7 trillion and a growth rate of 1.5 percent in 2014. Like Wisconsin, Germany has a strong historic manufacturing base that has evolved to be on the leading edge of innovation and technological advancement.

The trade venture, scheduled for April 23-29, 2016, is planned in conjunction with Hannover Messe, which is expected to draw more than 200,000 attendees, and features more than 6,600 exhibitors from 62 countries. With focus areas including industrial automation, the digital factory, industrial supply, energy, and research technology, the show represents the complete industrial value chain, from components to the finished product and everything in between. Participants in this global trade venture will be scheduled for customized one-on-one meetings with potential buyers or distributors for their products.

“Hannover Messe offers a unique opportunity for advanced manufacturing companies, and those that support advanced manufacturing, to meet with potential distributors and buyers in international markets, all in one place,” said Katy Sinnott, WEDC vice president of international business development. “At this trade show, companies can check out the competition and learn about the latest developments in their fields, in addition to connecting with potential partners.”

“By being part of the Wisconsin delegation,” Sinnott continued, “they will benefit from the expertise of WEDC’s international business development staff to help them determine which sessions to attend and develop a strategy for walking the floor to help them get the most out of this massive trade show.”

The venture fee of $3,100 covers market research and scheduling of customized one-on-one appointments, as well as interpreter fees, hotel accommodations and most transportation. This fee applies to the first registrant from a Wisconsin company that exports a product or service; additional registrants from the same company can attend for a fee of $3,300 per person. State agencies, associations and service providers that are not direct exporters are welcome to attend, but they will be required to pay the full, unsubsidized venture cost of $10,700.

The U.S. is the official partner country for Hannover Messe 2016, and WEDC will have an exhibit booth on the show floor to educate attendees about the strength of advanced manufacturing in Wisconsin. Companies may also want consider reserving their own booths on the show floor.

Wisconsin companies that qualify as small businesses according to U.S. Small Business Administration criteria can also apply for WEDC support to reserve a furnished booth in one of the U.S. pavilions at the show. WEDC will select up to six companies to fund, and will register and pay for the booths on the companies’ behalf (This assistance is valued at $7,560; companies will have the option to add booth “extras” to their registration package at their own expense). Interested companies should apply promptly to allow for consideration of their applications, as the booth registration deadline is Dec. 27.

Both the trade show booth assistance application and the trade venture registration can be found at InWisconsin.com/hannovermesse. Interested parties can also contact Stanley Pfrang, WEDC senior market development director, at 608.210.6777 or stanley.pfrang@wedc.org.

About the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing Wisconsin’s business climate. WEDC nurtures business growth and job creation by providing resources, technical support and financial assistance to companies, partners and communities in Wisconsin. WEDC has four focus areas: business and industry development, economic and community development, entrepreneurship and innovation and international business development. Together with more than 600 regional and local business development partners, it represents a highly responsive and coordinated network. Visit www.inwisconsin.com or follow WEDC on Twitter  @_InWisconsin to learn more.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

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