NSSF just received word that the SHOT Show has been accepted into the International Buyer Program. This will provide the SHOT Show with support from the U.S. Department of Commerce to manage and facilitate matching international buyers with exhibiting U.S. companies and work with U.S. exhibitors to educate them on existing government export programs. The program offers Department of Commerce assistance on a variety of issues to assist show exhibitors: providing export counsel, assistance with intellectual property infringement (IPR), education on Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!) program, IPR protection measures during the show and means to protect IPR in overseas markets.
In addition the program will provide marketing assistance and will develop a program to specifically promote individual and group attendance, which may include competitive travel packages, travel and housing assistance to international buyers, organization of delegation trips and tours and production of an Export Interest Directory of those U.S. firms exhibiting at the event.
Acceptance into the International Buyer Program is crucial to NSSF’s ongoing marketing efforts to increase international buyers at the SHOT Show. This is our third year in a multi-year plan to increase international buyer attendance. With the assistance of the Department of Commerce, we look forward to reaching our goal of increasing international buyer attendance by 20 percent by 2014.
All 2014 SHOT Show exhibitors should watch the show website and newsletters as we get closer to the show to take advantage of these new offerings in order to maximize what the International Buyer Program can do to increase their international business.