Mission Statement
REPCAN 2005
Toronto, Canada
June 14-15, 2005

Mission Description

The International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service in Canada will host REPCAN 2005, a multi-sector matchmaking event on June 14-15, 2005.   This event is designed to provide U.S. small-to-medium sized, export-ready, companies (SMEs) in all industry sectors 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.   REPCAN 2005 also provides SMEs with an ideal opportunity to become familiar with business opportunities in Canada, our number one export market in the world, and to gain practical international business experience in an environment that offers the potential for high returns when working with the U.S. Commercial Service.

REPCAN 2005 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.   REPCAN participants 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 from portal to portal.    REPCAN provides SMEs with a maximum return on their promotional dollar and is clearly the most effective and economical vehicle for SMEs to join the largest and most dynamic trade relationship in the world.

More specifically REPCAN 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;
• 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.

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 Europe 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.  

Despite the devaluation of the Canadian dollar in the international market with Canadian interest rates below U.S. levels, inflation under one percent and unemployment on the decline, the economic fundamentals in Canada are working to boost consumer and business confidence to the highest levels in many years.   These economic indicators combined with the nature of the Canadian market strongly reinforce our Canada First! slogan.   That is to say, U.S. small and medium-sized firms should always think of Canada first when it comes to success in exporting.   REPCAN is Canada’s flagship event when it comes to efficient cost-effective export business development in Canada.

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, our number one export market.

To provide state, regional and local governments with a ready-made vehicle which 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

REPCAN 2005 participants will be advised to arrive in Toronto on Monday, June 13, 2005 and check-in at the hotel designated by the U.S. Commercial Service.

The mission program will begin on the evening of June 13, 2005 with a participants’ icebreaker reception.   A breakfast briefing on Tuesday, June 14, 2005 will include welcoming remarks followed by individual presentations dealing with the commercial climate, business practices and custom 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 Wednesday, June 15.   In addition to one-on-one meetings on site, videoconferences and off-site meetings will be conducted, as appropriate.

The REPCAN one-on-one meetings will be staged at a hotel in Toronto’s downtown core where 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.   REPCAN will include a Business Information Office (BIO) to provide participants with logistical support, information and any other assistance they may require to realize their trade objectives in Canada.

Timetable

Recruitment for REPCAN 2005 will begin with the release of this mission statement and publication of this announcement in the Federal Register.

REPCAN 2005 will accommodate a total of 15-20 U.S. participants.

Recruitment Start:   Immediately

Registration Ends:   April 22, 2005
Participants Arrive:   June 13, 2005
Icebreaker Reception:   June 13, 2005
Breakfast Briefing: June 14, 2005
Official opening of exhibit and start of individual appointment schedules:   June 14, 2005
End of Event:   June 15, 2005
Follow-up:   As long as required

Recruitment and Criteria for Participation

Recruitment for REPCAN 2005 will be launched with an e-mail notice to all U.S. Export Assistance Centers (USEAC) and District Export Assistance Centers (DEACs), followed by shipments of the REPCAN 2005 multi-color promotional brochures.   The e-mail notice will included detailed information on participation, and a request for support in publicizing REPCAN 2005 in newsletters and in mailings to clients.   Promotional brochures will also be sent to the State Trade offices; Small Business Associations; and relevant U.S. multipliers and trade associations.   The Commercial Service in Toronto will also publicize REPCAN 2005 on CS Canada’s homepage; http://www.buyusa.gov/Canada; through a feature article in Business America; via video conferencing; e-mail and direct mail to individual companies.

The criteria for participation are as follows:

• REPCAN 2005 is open to all industry sectors.
• Export-ready, small-to-medium sized, companies with special emphasis on NTE/NTM.
• If the company’s products and services are manufactured or produced outside the United States, the product/service must be marketed under the name of the U.S. firm and U.S. content representing at least 51% of the value of the finished goods or service.
• Timely submission of completed application/registration materials and payment of the participation fee of US $ 1,200.
• 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