Department of Commerce Selects NPE2018 for 2018 International Buyer Program

The SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association (PLASTICS) announced today that the association’s triennial show, NPE2018: The Plastics Show, was selected to participate in the 2018 International Buyer Program (IBP) by the U.S. Department of Commerce. As an IBP show, NPE will have access to a global network of U.S. Department of Commerce trade professionals in more than 75 countries and across the United States to bridge the imports and exports gap and to recruit and bring qualified international buyers, representatives and distributors to its 2018 event.

The IBP is a joint government-industry effort under the jurisdiction of the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA). Every year, the IBP results in approximately hundreds of millions of dollars in new business for U.S. companies, and increased international attendance for participating U.S. trade show organizers.

“We’re honored to again have the opportunity to participate in the International Buyer Program.” Commented PLASTICS’ President and CEO, Bill Carteaux. “We have participated in the IBP since 2000. In those years we’ve increased international attendance 187 percent and now have international participation from 128 countries. This program provides an exceptional business opportunity for our exhibitors to meet, network and develop business partnerships with international buyers, sales representatives and strategic partners and provides them with a tremendous value-added service.”

The IBP will optimize international attendees’ experience by providing them with support and services they need to efficiently meet and conduct business with exhibiting brands. As a member of an official U.S. Embassy IBP Delegation, buyers will receive U.S. Embassy travel assistance, including registration and visa procedures, access to networking events and receptions, pre-arranged briefings and meetings customized according to buying interests and other attendee benefits and opportunities.

The overall goal of the program is to support the benchmarks that U.S. companies have for expanding their businesses internationally. To do that, the program makes valuable introductions between U.S. businesses and prospective international buyers. By facilitating a strong international presence at NPE, the IBP can assist NPE in opening up international opportunities for U.S. businesses at no additional cost to the exhibitors.

During NPE2018, the IBP will maintain an official International Trade Center on the show floor, where foreign buyers can obtain assistance in identifying potential U.S. business partners, and meet with U.S. companies, while U.S. exhibitors can take advantage of interpreter services and face-to-face export counseling from overseas U.S. Commercial Service to help bridge international barrier.

NPE is the only event in the plastics industry that has been selected in 2018 to participate in the IBP. For more information and to register for NPE2018, visit the show site. Connect with NPE2018 through Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn for the latest #NPE2018 news and insights.