Certified Trade Fair Program

he Department of Commerce Certified Trade Fair Program is designed to
encourage private organizations to recruit new-to-market and new-to-export
U.S. firms to exhibit in trade fairs overseas. To receive certification,
the organization must demonstrate: (1) the fair is a leading international
trade event for an industry and (2) the fair organizer is capable of
recruiting U.S. exhibitors and assisting them with freight forwarding,
customs clearance, exhibit design and setup, public relations, and overall
show promotion. The show organizer must agree to assist new-to-export
exhibitors as well as small businesses interested in exporting.

In addition to the services the organizer provides, the Department of
Commerce will:
- assign a Washington coordinator;
- operate a business information office, which provides meeting space,
translators, hospitality, and assistance from U.S. exhibitors and
foreign customers;
- help contact buyers, agents, distributors, and other business leads
and provide marketing assistance;
- provide a press release on certification.