The Auto Care Association hosted a trade mission to Costa Rica, May 21-22, as part of the Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) award from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The association received the award to help the aftermarket industry increase exports to free trade agreement partners in Latin America.
Trade missions are business development opportunities to gain firsthand market information and one-on-one meetings with potential clients and partners. The association, in collaboration with the U.S. Commercial Service, has organized trade missions to Peru, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua in the past two years.
Trade mission delegates participated in personalized business-to-business matchmaking meetings with foreign industry executives, pre-screened to match companies’ specific business objectives. Delegates also had the opportunity to participate in a country briefing and networking events.
“We have had great success in finding highly motivated individuals and locally established businesses to meet with us face-to-face and discuss acquiring our products,” said Santiago Estrada, international account executive, Warco Products. “This adds more credence by being there, rather than just conference calls and emails. If you want to grow your business or industry outside of your comfort zone, act quickly. Based on our experience, I highly recommend trying your best efforts to do the same by joining the Auto Care Association and participate in their trade mission program.”
The Auto Care Association will be hosting a trade mission to Chile from Aug. 21-22. Qualifying firms are eligible for an offset of the trade mission costs.
For details about the Auto Care Association’s trade missions, visit autocare.org/trade-missions. For additional event information, contact Carolina Arregoces at [email protected], or 240-333-1037.
