Export Readiness Seminars – March 29 -30 – Great Falls

2004-03-29 08:00:00
Heritage Inn, Great Falls

Montana state agencies host export readiness seminars

Montana companies interested in marketing food or
agricultural products internationally can take the first step toward
successful exporting and get one-on-one help at export readiness
seminars
scheduled later this month.

"There are a number of issues businesses need to address before
successfully
expanding into the world market," says Ralph Peck, director of the
Montana
Department of Agriculture. "Success can depend on pricing exports for
international markets, ensuring products reach the right customers in
target
countries, verifying that product labels are appropriate for country
access,
in addition to many other country specific issues."

Export readiness seminars sponsored by the Montana Department of
Agriculture, the Montana Department of Commerce, and the Western United
States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) provide one-on-one
sessions
with professionals in international marketing and logistics. During the
two-hour private consulting sessions, companies can receive answers to
marketing, transportation, labeling and pricing concerns.

"Montana companies will greatly benefit from our staff’s expertise,"
says
Mark Simonich, director of the Montana Department of Commerce. "The
Export
Readiness Program is an invaluable tool for export planning, providing
export knowledge and saving Montana companies both money and time."

The seminars will be held March 29 and 30, 2004, in Great Falls, and are
free of charge to Montana companies. Space is available on a first come,
first served basis.

Discussions are on an individual basis lasting for 2 hours. Applicants need to contact Sarah Goan (406) 444-2402 ext. 0132 to set up an appointment.

The Montana Department of Agriculture is one of the 13 western states
departments of agriculture that comprise the membership of WUSATA.

Membership in the association provides access to many export activities
and
programs that can assist Montana value-added food and agricultural
companies
at all levels of export marketing, from market entry to expanding
current
export business into new markets. A representative from WUSATA will be
at
the consultations to update Montana companies on the trade association’s
branded and generic programs.

To submit an application for the export readiness seminars or for more
information, contact Sarah Goan, international marketing officer at the
Montana Department of Agriculture at (406) 444-2402 ext. 0132, or by e-mail at
.