The 2016 International Buyer Program (IBP) application period is now open. Interested shows have until Dec. 22 to apply.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Buyer Program is a joint government-industry effort designed to increase U.S. export sales by promoting international attendance at major U.S. industry exhibitions.
 
Exhibitors are always looking to connect with qualified buyers. If a show has exhibitors who are interested in exporting their goods and connecting with pre-screened buyers from outside the U.S., this program is designed for them. 

“Buyer delegates recruited by our locally engaged staff in over 70 markets are pre-screened to ensure they are the right fit for the show” said Vidya Desai, acting director of the IBP.  “The locally engaged staff based in our Embassies and Consulates worldwide provide a unique value to show organizers, as they understand the industries and products in demand in their respective markets and network with industry associations in country to service the needs of foreign buyers.”

Just a few of the shows accepted in the program next year include International CES, World of Concrete, International Production & Processing Expo and Pack Expo Las Vegas.

"The International CES is the global gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technology. With CES attendees from more than 140 countries, International CES is a proud participant in the International Buyer Program (IBP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration," said Tara Dunion, senior director of communications at the Consumer Electronics Association, which runs the show.

She added, "As part of the IBP program, CES is promoted via their offices worldwide to recruit delegations of qualified international buyers, representatives, and distributors. There were over 35 IBP led delegations at the 2014 CES bringing a total of more than 1,000 qualified buyers and industry affiliates."

The National Shooting Sports Foundation's SHOT Show also is part of the 2015 IBP program and recently applies for the 2016 program as well, according to Diedra Cauley, NSSF's director of Exhibitions & Conferences. 

"The International Buyer Program is crucial to our ongoing marketing efforts to increase international buyers at the SHOT Show," she added, "Over the past three years, our goal was to increase international attendance by 20 percent. With the assistance of the Department of Commerce, we achieved that goal and we look forward to seeing that growth continue this year and beyond."

The IBP, with the help of Commerce Department trade specialists from around the nation, works to match U.S. companies exhibiting at your show with these vetted buyers, in hopes of increasing international sales for your U.S. exhibitors. 

"Onsite at the 2015 CES, international trade specialists from the U.S. Department of Commerce are available in the International Business Center (IBC), located in the LVCC South Hall Connector, Room S224, to provide matchmaking assistance and export trade counseling to international attendees and exhibitors," Dunion said.

For more information and to apply for the 2016 program, visit the IBP Web site at www.export.gov/ibp or contact IBP2016@trade.gov.