Global Tampa Bay announced today that the participating companies in October’s export sales mission to Santiago, Chile have projected future sales and economic activity of approximately $3.35 million as a result of the trip. 

Eight companies from the Tampa Bay region participated in the export sales mission to the Latin American country, which is one of Florida’s largest merchandise export markets. The local companies participated in the U.S. Commercial Service’s Gold Key Service (GKS) Matchmaker program, which provided customized one-on-one meetings with companies in Chile. These Gold Key companies conducted approximately 53 meetings with potential customers that resulted in the expected export sales.

“Exporting our craft beer has been at the top of my list for a while now and the timing with the Chile mission fit just right with our business growth strategy,” said Mike Bishop, founder of Big Storm Brewing Co., and first-time participant of Global Tampa Bay’s export sales mission program. “As a new-to-export company, I was extremely impressed with not only Global Tampa Bay’s ability to bring together exactly the right partners and services to support our initiatives in market, but also with the U.S. Commercial Service team in Santiago for being on target with the Gold Key matchmaking meetings.”

In addition to the one-on-one Gold Key meetings, participants also attended a country commercial briefing by the U.S. Embassy and a welcome reception hosted by the U.S. Ambassador to Chile.

“Early indications of the trade mission to Chile are extremely positive. All eight companies that participated were very happy with the quality of the meetings arranged by the U.S. Commercial Service,” said Mike Meidel, director of Pinellas County Economic Development. “Many have already expressed an interest in future missions.”

The export sales mission to Chile was made possible through a partnership with Enterprise Florida.

Global Tampa Bay will next visit Panama City, Panama for an export sales mission from March 18-21, 2019. Companies interested in attending can visit Global Tampa Bay’s website or contact Madison Lawson at 813-518-2668 or mlawson@tampaedc.com. 

“I have participated in several Global Tampa Bay trade missions and I highly recommend them for businesses looking to export their products,” said Juan Victorino, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Scientific Control Instruments. “The missions are organized and productive and they allow me to reach customers through the Gold Key Matchmaking service much more easily than trying to set appointments on my own.”