USA Pavilion at SIAL Paris 2012
Know Before You Go!
In the Spotlight!
REPRESENTATIVES FROM USDA’S FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE (FAS)
FAS Paris looks forward to welcoming you to SIAL Paris 2012. Maria Nemeth-Ek from the FAS Trade Services Staff in Washington will also be participating in the show Sunday-Tuesday. Feel free to share with her your show experience or ideas for improvement. Due to the current budget situation, representatives from other FAS Posts will unfortunately not be able to travel to the event. However, please know that they are informing buyers in their respective region about the U.S. products that will be showcased in the Pavilion this year.
USDA BOOTH/NEW PRODUCTS SHOWCASE
The USDA booth (#4ST086) will be located in the USA Pavilion in Fine Food (Hall 4). Please stop by and let FAS Paris know how they can help you during SIAL. Literature on FAS programs and services as well as pamphlets on sustainable agriculture will be available at the booth. As you may know, some European consumers associate U.S. products with “industrial” or “genetically modified” production. Literature on U.S. sustainable agriculture is one way we can help counter negative perception and take the initiative in an area where the United States has been a quiet leader. We invite you to get the word out at your booth as well to help educate buyers so that they can pass that word along to consumers.
If you submitted an application to IMEX to display product in the New Products Showcase at the USDA Booth, please remember to bring your item to the booth on set-up day, Saturday, October 20.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Monday, October 22
10:30 a.m. Sustainable Development: What are the Responsibilities for Retailers?
[Marsha Echols, Professor, Howard University]
SIAL TV - HALL 5A
Tuesday, October 23
5:00 p.m. Trade Reception - Hosted by FAS Paris
[USA Pavilion Lounge – Hall 4]
Wednesday, October 24
16:45 p.m. The Challenge of Local Sourcing
[Marsha Echols, Professor, Howard University]
SIAL TV - HALL 5A
DESIGN ENHANCEMENTS
We are pleased to inform you that FAS secured funding from the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture to enhance the design of the USA Pavilions at SIAL Paris 2012. Enhancements include USA Pavilion aisle signage, furniture upgrades, back-lit fascias, plants, and the New Products Showcase at the USDA Booth.
NOTICE ON PRODUCT ORIGIN REQUIREMENT
All firms exhibiting in the USA Pavilion at a USDA-endorsed show must promote and display a majority of products (greater than 51 percent by SKU count) that are of U.S. origin. A product is determined to be of U.S. origin if it is comprised of at least 51 percent U.S. origin content, by volume or by value, exclusive of added water.
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EXHIBITOR EVALUATIONS
Each company will receive a USA Pavilion Evaluation Form which will be collected by the conclusion of the show. Completing the Evaluation Form enables the USA Pavilion team to determine whether or not a trade show’s promotional objectives were achieved, plan improvements in future show management, provides input to the Trade Show Report and Congressional Budget Summary prepared annually by the FAS Trade Services Staff, and provides information useful in soliciting future show participation. We appreciate your taking the time to complete the Evaluation Form, as your feedback is very important. Please be assured that each and every evaluation is carefully reviewed.
Based on exhibitor feedback from the last edition, a better location for the Pavilion was sought/granted; USA Pavilion signage will be raised as high as regulations allow; additional USA Pavilion signage (with flag design) in aisles and at entrance to lounge; plants on corners of each aisle; and continuance of the New Products Showcase at the USDA Booth.
EXPORT CREDIT GUARANTEE PROGRAM
Every exporter wants to get paid. But credit can make or break a deal. It can shift the advantage to you…or your competitor. That’s why many exporters turn to USDA’s Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102). Every year, USDA guarantees billions of dollars in U.S. agricultural exports from feed grains and fresh produce to frozen french fries. With USDA’s guarantee behind the credit, you can arrange competitive financing with less risk. Your buyers may benefit too, from longer terms at lower rates.
The GSM-102 program can help you expand your business by reducing the risk of nonpayment for agricultural transactions. Items covered include bulk commodities, semi-processed products and consumer-ready foods. No transaction size is too small. The program uses a dollar-denominated, irrevocable letter of credit (L/C), 98 percent coverage on the transaction. Freight is generally covered and a portion of interest is variably covered. Credit terms are up to 2.5 years.
The GSM-102 program underwrites credit extended by private financial institutions in the United States or less commonly, by the U.S. exporter, to approved foreign banks using an L/C for purchase of U.S. food and agricultural products by foreign buyers.
Expand your business by making sales that might not have occurred without a payment guarantee. Most importantly, your payment is assured once goods are shipped and documents approved.
For more information, please visit http://www.fas.usda.gov/excredits/ecgp.asp
UPCOMING USDA-ENDORSED TRADE SHOWS
For information on other USDA-endorsed events, please visit (and bookmark) our web site at:
http://www.fas.usda.gov/agx/trade_events/trade_events.asp
Make it a great show and enjoy your stay in Paris!