WUSATA carried out a virtual trade mission between exporters from the Western Union States and importers from 5 Latin American countries. The objective was to generate new business relationships and mission was divided into 4 categories on 4 different dates:
18 companies from the Western Union States participated in the mission and 26 importers from different countries such as Costa Rica, Colombia, Chile, Panama and Dominican Republic were present. Each exporter had an average of 5 meetings, with a total of 106 meetings across the mission.
This activity was previously planned for a face-to-face trip to Costa Rica and Colombia but due to the restrictions of the pandemic we resorted to technology and offered the possibility of having private and group sessions. This new mode of business mission resulted efficiency and the possibility to target a greater number of contacts with previous and virtual agendas.
The U.S Southern Agricultural Trade Association with the help of imalinx coordinated the first virtual business mission in Mexico where 16 exporters signed up for digital business meetings with key contacts from the food and beverage industry with the objective of exploring new business opportunities for the Mexican market in the mid and long term.
Due to the COVID contingency, SUSTA and Imalinx had to migrate the in-person trade mission originally scheduled for Houston and Atlanta to a digital format that helped expand the number of registered buyers and exporters. Through the Zoom platform, Imalinx offered a virtual seminar to the 16 exporting companies talking about Mexico’s country overview, business situation, new labeling regulation and recommendations for the sessions. Followed by appointment coordination, sample logistics and follow-up after the event with exporters and buyers.
A total of 53 appointments were confirmed and divided in two blocks. The first was for categories of general snacks and groceries, the second for special categories such as plant proteins, cocktails, craft beer, among others. All contacts received pre-event samples to make products available during meetings, This facilitated the communication, immediate feedback and preparation of buyers for appointments.
Walter Brooks of Brooksmade Gourmet Foods
“I really looked forward to it and it was great. We will definitely come back and let you know if we could use your help in the future with these relationships”.
Jaime Fuentes de Brand Rep’s Cancun
“They were quite interested in our brokerage services. Likewise, their proposal has already been sent to each one so that, if accepted, they can start representing them in Mexico and be able to introduce their products to the markets they indicate us”.
WUSATA conducted a virtual trade mission between exporters between the states of Idaho, Oregon and Mexican Importers, with the aim of developing business relationships. Appointments were made between leading exporters and distributors and importers in Mexico in both, the retail and wholesale sectors.
This activity was an alternative to traditional trade missions that have been face-to-face. There were significant efficiencies in resources, budgets and time. Activities were programmed in anticipation so that the yellow onion season of Idaho and Eastern Oregon could begin strongly.
This new mode of trade mission proved to be very practical since from the comfort of the participant’s home of office. Strong and long lasting ties can be formed while staying safe at the same time.
Trade mission sponsored by the Western Agro-Commercial Association of the United States (WUSATA) where 7 companies from the Western United States will travel to Bogotá and Panama with the objective of meeting with key members of the trade and promoting their products. The companies that participated were: Trinidad Benham Corp, Frontiere Natural Meats, Made in Nature, Motherlode Provisions, Primo Pup, Empact Bars and Campesino Cheese.
Imalinx coordinates hotels, transportation, internal flights and coordinates meetings with key members of each company’s industry. The activities carried out in the mission consisted of: 2 rounds of 1 to 1 meetings in Bogotá and a 1 to 1 business round in Panama where exporters were able to display and promote their products, exporters visited to visit and meet between 3 and 4 branches of the main supermarket chains in Colombia and Panama and a visit to the Panama Canal was coordinated.
A total of 91 meetings with 27 importers were coordinated in both countries. One of the participating companies shared that it is in the process of negotiating with importers from the regions and one of them made a purchase of its products.
US products are well received in Colombia and Panama and there was a great response from Colombian and Panamanian businessmen. Exploring both markets is highly recommended.
Trade mission sponsored by the Western Agro-Commercial Association of the United States (WUSATA) where four companies from the Western United States exhibited their products in one of the largest shows in Latin America, Espacio Food & Service, in the pavilion from the USA.
The main objective was to develop business relationships with potential clients from Chile. The companies that participate were: Primo Pup, The Neil Jones Food Co, Noh Foods and Pacific Cheese.
Imalinx with the Western Agro-Commercial Association of the United States helped plan, organize and coordinate the participation of exporters during the trade show. The companies had a great response from Chilean entrepreneurs and there was great interest in American products. One of the participating companies shared that it is already in the process of sending the product to Chile thanks to a meeting provided by Imalinx with a key industry member.
This 2020 Imalinx will participate once again in Espacio Food and Service representing the Agro-Commercial Association of the Western United States (WUSATA).
Five companies of the Western United States visited Cancun and Mexico city with the objective to meet with the potential buyers of food products of added value and establish business relationships in order to introduce their products on the Mexican Market.
Carried out the commercial mission of buyers from Mexico, Colombia and, Chile for value added products at Washington and California with the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association.
Participants had the opportunity to meet with more than 30 suppliers from the region with the objective of establishing business relationships.
From June 18th to June 23rd the Trade Mission for food distributors was held in Mexico City and Cancun. Nine companies from the Western US participated this year with categories of different products including wines, nuts, seafood, onions, dressings, among others.
The Executive Chef of Imalinx was present in the event to make a culinary demonstration where she developed innovative recipes using the products of the participating companies, with the aim that the attendees learn new application techniques of the products.
In total there were 153 one-on-one meetings with 26 different importers, distributors and chefs.
In October, the commercial mission for the Producers of the Western United States of America was carried out, focused on the main importers of beer, wines and snacks.
Attendees created business relationships and attended the Great American Beer Festival held annually in Denver, Colorado.
A
trade mission was coordinated to visit three major Colombian cities where
potential buyers from the country met.
The
commercial mission took place from the 23rd to the 27th of February in Bogotá,
Medellín and in Cartagena, more than 150 meetings were held with potential
buyers in the country where they had the opportunity to present their products.
The Agro-Commercial
Office, MS Consultoría and the Chamber of Commerce of Cartagena
attended the event.