Doing business outside Canada? If so, or youre contemplating it, then you should take advantage of this unique opportunity to speak to one of Canadas trade officers wholl be making a brief stop in Edmonton at the Technology for Success (TFS) Exhibition.

This annual one-day, provincewide event will take place Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton.

So who are these representatives and why would you want to talk to them?

Canadian trade officers, who include trade commissioners and business development officers, are civil servants  federal government employees who are posted in offices and consulates in major centres in the United States and around the world.

Canadas trade commissioners (and trade officers) responsibility is to help Canadian companies do business in other markets, says Lorrine Hamdon, regional co-ordinator, Canadian Technology Network, and one of the TFS organizers.

Some companies, including Edmontons Madentec, have the majority of their client base outside our country.

Its good to know whats going on out there. Only two per cent of our business is in Canada, 80 per cent is from the States and the rest elsewhere, says Bryce Campbell, Madentecs vice-president and chief financial officer.

Trade commissioners are often posted in a term position, in foreign locations that can last up to four years, explains Graham Walker, an information and communications technology (ICT) industry officer with the federal government, in Edmonton. Acting as resources, they have a sense of whats going on in those countries; what the opportunities are and how to deal in foreign markets.

In addition, there are locally engaged staff  usually nationals of foreign countries who are experts in a particular sector or local area, or perhaps a Canadian who is permanently grounded there, adds Walker, who is facilitating their stop in Edmonton.

Resident or permanent members of foreign trade offices have the benefit of having an established network of contacts and a good handle on their marketplace. Walker cites their Washington, D.C. representatives who have expertise in selling to the U.S. government.

The Washington and New York people are very appropriate, says Walker. With the events of Sept. 11, now more than ever people want to know whats going on.

The events of Sept. 11 and their aftermath have opened doors for Canadian organizations to provide solutions to our friends south of the border.

The U.S. government jumped on the Blackberry pagers, a Canadian invention, says Walker.

They got a good review, so everyone including the military . . . were buying them. Canadian companies involved in the security and teleconferencing arenas could also assist. Trade officers can play an important role here.

Once a year, Canadian trade officers participate in an outreach program. This time, theyre headed to shows in Vancouver and Toronto. And while not officially on the TFS program, their presence will definitely enhance the value to show visitors.

In addition to Washington and New York, TFS will have officers from Boston, Minneapolis, Mexico City and Munich available for discussion.

If international trade interests you, perhaps the trade officers can help you identify:

* a way to get into a particular market;

* individuals who may be appropriate to contact;

* distribution channels;

* potential partners;

* opportunities and challenges in a particular market;

* differences in rules, regulations, customs and laws;

* other potential markets;

* the market climate.

A $50 fee gets you into the show, gives you access to these trade officers and includes lunch.

Web Watch:
www.technologyforsuccess.com
www.exportsource.gc.ca