Mission Description

The U.S. Commercial Service in Toronto will host a Plastics Trade Mission to Canada, on May 3-4, 2004. This event is designed to provide U.S. small-to-medium sized, export-ready companies (SMEs) in the plastics industry with an efficient, cost-effective opportunity to enter the Canadian market and establish profitable commercial relations with prospective agents, distributors, end-users and joint venture partners. The Plastics Trade Mission will provide SMEs with an ideal opportunity to become familiar with business opportunities in Canada, our number one export market in the world; and gain practical international business experience in a business environment that offers the potential for high returns and minimal risk.

The Plastics Trade Mission offers each participant a two-day program of individual business appointments with pre-qualified prospective business partners; product and service display facilities; and extensive market exposure in Canada. Trade Mission participants will benefit from a full range of business facilitation services provided by the U.S. Commercial Service, including market research, business briefings, networking events and logistic support.

The Plastics Trade Mission to Canada is scheduled around Plast-Ex 2004, the Canadian Plastic Industry Association's (CPIA) largest and only national plastics trade event, which will held in Toronto on May 3-6, 2004. Following the two days of one-on-one appointments, U.S. participants will have the opportunity to attend the show. The Plast-Ex Show occupies over 300,000 square feet and has in excess of 500 exhibitors. More than 12,000 plastic industry decision makers attend Plast-Ex and rely on the event to source essential products and services in Canada's US$22.5 billion dollar industry. The Plastics Trade Mission will provide exhibitors with maximum return on their promotional dollar.

More specifically, for a cost of only US$900.00, participants will receive:

• An individualized, two-day schedule of business meetings with pre-qualified prospective business partners in Canada;
  
• Facilities to conduct business meetings and to display product samples and promotional materials;
  
• Pre-event briefings by industry experts and specific market research;
  
• Canada-wide market exposure.
  
• Networking opportunities with Canadian business, industry and government contacts;
  
• Full logistical support; including hotel bookings at preferred rates, expedited custom clearance for exhibit materials and promotional materials, assistance with set-up of displays, and more;
  
• Individual business counseling and referral services.

U.S. products well suited for this trade event include:

(PME) Plastic Production Machinery; Plastic Extrusion Equipment; Plastic Molding Equipment; Plastic Packaging Production Equipment.

(PMR) Plastic materials and resins, film sheets, plastic packaging materials, plastic additives, advanced industrial plastics, polyethylene products, polymers, polystyrene and products, PVC and products, resins, thermoplastic elastomers, chemical materials and pigments.

Commercial Setting

U.S. - Canada trade has more than doubled since the Free Trade Agreement (the predecessor of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was implemented in 1989. Today, U.S. - Canada trade is valued at more than US$1.4 billion dollars per day and it continues to grow.

Canada is the number one export market in the world for the United States and accounts for a greater percentage of total U.S. exports than all the countries of the European Union combined. Furthermore, business opportunities in Canada cover the full spectrum of industry sectors and business activity. In terms of its size, receptivity, proximity and similarity to the U.S. economy, the Canadian market offers U.S. SMEs the very best prospects for success in exporting.

Mission Goals

To provide U.S. export-ready, small and medium-sized firms a cost-effective, low risk, and hassle-free means to establish and develop valuable long-term business contacts in Canada.

To provide state, regional and local governments with a ready-made vehicle they can use to introduce their rural and minority-owned SMEs to the Canadian market.

To provide all individual participants and multipliers with a successful export development experience in Canada.

Mission Scenario

The Plastic Trade Mission participants will be advised to arrive in Toronto on May 2 and check-in at the hotel designated by the U.S. Commercial Service.

The mission program will begin on the evening of May 2, 2004 with participants' ice-breaker reception. A breakfast briefing on May 3 will include welcoming remarks followed by individual presentations dealing with the commercial climate, business practices and customs issues on getting products quickly and effectively into Canada.

Individual one-on-one business meetings with pre-qualified prospective Canadian business partners will commence immediately following the briefing at 10:00 a.m. and will continue throughout the day. Individual one-on-one meetings will also continue throughout the day on May 4. In addition to one-on-one meetings on site, videoconferences and off-site meetings will be conducted, as appropriate.

The one-on-one meetings will be staged at a hotel. Each participant will be provided with a 6' skirted table, chairs and signage suitable for scheduled appointments and the display of small samples and product literature.

Timetable

Recruitment will commence with the release of this mission statement and publication of this announcement in the Federal Register.

The Plastic Trade Mission will accommodate a total of 10-12 U.S. participants.

Recruitment Starts: Immediately
Registration Ends: March 19, 2004
Participants Arrive: May 2, 2004
Ice-breaker Reception: May 2, 2004
Breakfast Briefing: May 3, 2004
Official opening of exhibit and start of individual appointment schedules: May 3, 2004
End of Event: May 4, 2004
Follow-up: As long as required

Recruitment and Criteria for Participation

Recruitment will be launched with an e-mail notice and flyer to all U.S. Export Assistance Centers (USEAC). The e-mail notice will included detailed information on participation, and a request for support in publicizing the event in newsletters and in mailings to clients. Promotional flyers will also be sent to the State Trade offices; relevant U.S. multipliers, trade associations and targeted manufacturers. The Commercial Service in Toronto will also publicize the Plastic Trade Mission on CS Canada's homepage; http://www.buyusa.gov/Canada.

The criteria for participation are as follows:

• Export-ready, small-to-medium sized, companies with special emphasis on NTE/NTM.
  
• Product/service must be at least 51% U.S. content by value to be eligible
  
• Timely submission of completed application/registration materials and payment of the participation fee.
  
• Provision of adequate information on the company's products and/or services and communication of the company's primary objectives.
  
• Certification that the company meets the Department's guidelines for participation.

Any partisan political activities of an applicant, including political contributions, will be entirely irrelevant to the selection process.

Contact Information

Madellon C. Lopes, Project Manager
U.S. Commercial Service, Toronto
480 University Avenue, Suite 602
Toronto, Ontario
Canada, M5G. 1V2
Tel: 416/595-5412, Ext. 227
Fax: 416/595-5419
E-mail: madellon.lopes@mail.doc.gov