NEWS RELEASE
WORLD TRADE CENTER BUFFALO NIAGARA
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BUFFALO, NEW YORK – World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara (WTCBN) president Craig Turner announced today that WTCBN will be once again partnering with World Trade Center Toronto, the Toronto Board of Trade (TBOT) and a host of Niagara Region organizations to present the popular TAP (Trade Accelerator Program) Niagara export program, which kicks off on Sept. 16.
“After losing our spring session to COVID, World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara is thrilled to be back up-and-running with TAP Niagara for our fall session – albeit this time in a virtual format,” said Turner. “We have seen the power of the TAP program in action, and the impact it’s had on the companies that participate. While there’s still a lot of uncertainty in the global marketplace, right now is an important time for companies to be looking to their futures, and TAP is premised on the fact that export is one of the most reliable paths to growth.”
TAP Niagara, part of Canada’s Trade Accelerator Program (TAP), is an innovative and dynamic program aimed at helping small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) overcome barriers to exporting. By pulling together expert partners from the public and private sectors, TAP Canada gives companies access to Canada’s top exporting advisors, resources and contacts. Companies work with industry leaders to build a comprehensive Export Plan, and then begin its implementation.
“Participating companies in TAP Niagara get an immersive education in what they need to know to be successful exporters,” Turner added. “While TAP has been presented across Canada as an in-person experience since its creation by TBOT six years ago, we’ve taken on the challenge of creating a virtual, interactive version of the program while still capturing the dialogue and camaraderie that going through it with fifteen to twenty peer companies can provide. We’re excited about how it’s turned out, and looking forward to kicking off the program on Sept. 16.”
National sponsorships by Economic Development Canada (EDC), Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) have made entry into the program for qualified companies uniquely affordable – cutting the normal cost of the program from $5000 to just $495 to participate. For that, companies committed to completing the full curriculum will develop an actionable export plan. Participants in the program have reported an average growth of 33 per cent in export sales one year after participation.
Educational topics for the program – delivered once a week for five weeks – will include Financial Planning, Grants and Government Assistance, International Law and Tax, Supply Chain, E-Commerce, International Sales and Marketing. Following the five-week workshops and once companies have drafted their export plans, one-on-one mentoring sessions will take place with trade experts, to fine-tune the plans, and prepare the companies for export success.
Local program partners for TAP Niagara include FedDev, Canadian Trade Commission Service, the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Niagara Region, St. Catharine’s Economic Development and Tourism Services, Niagara Industrial Association, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, South Niagara Chambers of Commerce and Innovate Niagara. TAP Niagara program sponsors include: Lippes Mathias Wexler & Friedman LLP, Welke Customs Brokers USA, and the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency.
For further details on TAP Niagara, including criteria for participating and how to register, please visit here. While space is limited to ensure effective interaction between the educators, mentors and participants, spots are still available for the Fall 2020 program.
World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara is celebrating its 20th year as a member of the World Trade Centers Association in 2020. Its mission is to assist companies in Western New York and Southern Ontario in finding success and growth beyond their domestic markets. More information on World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara is available online.
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