Whether it’s organizing trade missions to key international markets or connecting you to resources available for export growth, Global Tampa Bay is here to help you expand your markets and compete globally.
Trade missions are export programs for Tampa Bay based firms that want to explore and pursue export opportunities by meeting directly with potential clients in their markets. Global Tampa Bay (GTB) jointly coordinates high quality trade missions to targeted markets where Tampa Bay companies meet with 4-8 potential customers.
GTB partners with the US Department of Commerce to facilitate one-on-one matchmaking meetings for exporters and helps to offset the cost to participants thru state and local grant programs.
Previous missions include Costa Rica, Chile, Dominican Republic, Panama, Colombia and Mexico.
Upcoming Trade Missions
Past Trade Missions
Export Sales Mission to Costa Rica
Week of June 24, 2020
Export Sales Mission to Brazil
Week of August 12, 2019
Export Sales Mission to Panama
Week of March 18, 2019
Export Sales Mission to Chile
October 22-25, 2018
Export Assistance Program
Reimbursable Gold Key/Matchmaker Grants
Eligible small and medium-sized manufacturers and professional services providers can apply for a Reimbursable Gold Key/Matchmaker Grant to help them generate or increase export sales overseas. The grant serves as a market development tool for companies that are new-or-infrequent exporters by subsidizing the cost of meeting with prescreened and prequalified buyers, agents, importers, and representatives with an interest in their products or services. Gold Key Services can be provided by the U.S. Commercial Service, while similar one-on-one business matchmakers can be conducted through select Enterprise Florida international offices or a preapproved third-party such as an AmCham.
- Gold Key/Matchmaker Grants reimburse qualified companies 100% of the Participation Fee for Enterprise Florida trade missions, or the full cost of a stand-alone Gold Key/Matchmaker service. Other options are available.
Target Sector Show Trade Grants
Enterprise Florida offers grants to help Florida companies grow their export sales through overseas international trade shows. eligible small and medium-sized manufacturers and professional services providers can apply for a target sector trade show grant to help offset trade show booth costs and enable them to exhibit in trade shows that Enterprise Florida participates in, as well as other approved trade shows and exhibitions in target sectors.
- Target sector trade show grants provide reimbursable grants for eligible companies in one of Enterprise Florida’s target sectors to participate in a qualified trade show or exhibition anywhere in the world. reimbursement is 50% of exhibition space and basic booth decoration package, up to $6,000.
SBA Export Express
Fast and Easy Loans for Small Exporters
Small business exporters are taking advantage of the world market and selling billions of dollars of goods and services overseas every year. In fact, 70% of all exporters have fewer than 20 employees. If you are one of these businesses, or would like to join in this growing trend, and you think you are too small to receive government sponsored export financing, think again!
Streamlined financing up to $500,000
SBA Export Express offers flexibility and ease of use to both borrowers and lenders. It is the simplest export loan product offered by the SBA and allows participating lenders to use their own forms, procedures and analyses. The SBA provides an answer in 36 hours or less.
Who is eligible to receive Export Express financing?
Any business that has been in operation, although not necessarily in exporting, for at least 12 full months and can demonstrate that the loan proceeds will support its export development activity is eligible for Export Express.
Export Marketing Plan Grants
Enterprise Florida and the Florida SBDC Network, in partnership with the U.S. Commercial Service, are excited to announce a scholarship to assist qualified Florida “new-to-export” manufacturers and services providers to identify overseas growth strategies through the development of a customized Export Marketing Plan. The cost for preparation of an Export Marketing Plan is $4,000. Qualifying companies are eligible for a $3,500 scholarship, making the cost to your company $500.
Qualifications
- Florida manufacturers and professional services providers only
- Products must be produced in the state of Florida or services must be provided from a Florida location
- Company’s products must be at least 51% U.S. content
- New-to-export or infrequent exporters preferred
- Minimum of two years in business
- Five or more full-time employees
- $500,000 to $10 million in annual sales
What Happens on a Global Tampa Bay Trade Mission?
