Certified Trade Missions

Certified trade missions (formerly State/Industry Organized, Government
Approved trade missions) are planned and organized by state development
agencies, trade associations, chambers of commerce, and other
export-oriented groups. To qualify for U.S. government sponsorship,
organizers of this type of trade mission must agree to follow International
Trade Administration criteria in planning and recruiting the mission. ITA
offers guidance and assistance from planning through completion of the
mission and coordinates the support of all relevant offices and the
assistance of overseas commercial officers in each foreign city on the
itinerary. The missions are normally led by a representative of the
sponsoring organization. Organizers of certified trade missions recruit
for the event and cover the expenses of the event incurred by ITA's
overseas post. Certified trade missions may use the seminar format, the
exhibit format, the traditional trade mission format, or a combination,
such as a seminar/mission or exhibit/mission.