ABWI Trade Missions- Our Past Successes

ABWI/CIFE Trade Mission August-September 2004
Photos from China Trade Mission 2004

ABWI/Department of Commerce
Certified High Technology Trade Mission
Sydney & Melbourne, Australia
August 3-11, 1999

Alliance of Business Women International (ABWI) was privileged to lead a trade mission to Australia which
we had targeted as a viable market for high technology products, services and joint venture opportunities.
In the past, ABWI trade missions to Europe have been highly successful and have produced long-term
benefits not only for the businesses attending but also for the American cities and states represented by
the varied mixture of participants.We followed the same guidelines for recruitment and were able to again
accomplish our goals, maintaining a high level of success for participating companies. Our missions always
follow a strong relationship built before hand with decision makers. They in turn "put their stamp of approval"
on the mission and, by the time we arrive in the country, we have awaiting a great amount of enthusiasm
and support built within the business community. Australia will become another strong partner for ABWI;
we in turn will reciprocate with the offer of hosting reverse trade missions and access into economic
development sector of targeted areas in the U.S.

The initial summary of the ABWI/Department of Commerce Certified High TechTrade Mission to Australia
can be summarized in a one short statement. "We feel that the trade mission was highly successful since
it generated in excess of 175 business leads and produced an estimated $62 million in short-term sales
and an estimated $1.7 billion in long-term sales for participating companies."

The trade mission, a cooperative effort between the Alliance of Business Women International and the
U. S. Department of Commerce was recruited, planned and co-led by Fran Close, the Chairman and
CEO of ABWI. Jeffrey Gren, Director of the Office of Microelectronics, Medical Equipment and
Instrumentation, co-led the mission on behalf of the DOC and worked with Ms. Close on qualification
and logistics compliance necessary to certify the mission. His interest and assistance allowed ABWI to
create a unique model of public, private and non-profit sectors working together at their best. Thirteen
firms participated in the trade mission (see attached list) and included the following industries: computers,
software, pharmaceutical-based skin care products, telecommunications, energy, safety and security,
multi-media, and finance. All firms were SMEs; six of the thirteen companies were women-owned and
one company was owned by a minority businessman. The main theme for the trade mission was high
technology and sub-themes were women-owned businesses, minority owned businesses and SMEs.

After Ms. Close's advance trip to Sydney in June, at the invitation of the Premier's office, to participate as
one of three Americans in Investment 2000's International Business Program, she was able to identify
additional opportunities for U.S. companies interested in Southeast Asia markets. At this time she also
met with U.S. Commercial Service staff and Australian business owners and leaders to create interest and
support for potential meetings and hosted functions within the country during the August trade mission.
The trade mission was extremely well received at both stops and the Commercial Service support was
excellent. Each stop included a focus on the one-on-one meetings (tailored for each participating firm),
a hospitality reception, briefings on business conditions in Australia, group meetings with key Australian
city or state officials. In Sydney, the mission overlapped with the Australia -U.S. Business Leaders Forum
organized by the New South Wales government. The trade mission delegates were invited to participate
in the opening session of the conference. Several attended other sessions as well.

Trade mission members found Australian companies extremely interested in doing business with U.S.
small and medium sized enterprises. Because SME's make up a large portion of Australian business
and because Australia's industry has a high technology focus, the trade mission's one-on-one meetings
were extremely productive. ABWI's presence, as a respected women's business organization, created
much Australian interest and support for this mission -not only because of the results it generates for mutual
business and economic interests, but also because of its known commitment to sustainability and equity
for its members, partners and the communities they serve.

At both stops, activities were planned with Australian women's organizations, and several preliminary
agreements were initiated or signed between ABWI and Australian women. In Melbourne, the ABWI
chairman met with members of Parliament and the chairman of the Women's Council to investigate
proper dialogue which will allow an alliance to address global issues, women's business conferences,
and reverse trade missions opportunities. In Sydney, a Letter of Understanding was signed by three
agencies (working with the Prime Minister's Office of Australia) and ABWI, which will open the door to
a working relationship between all parties in areas of women's leadership opportunities in the public/private
sector. As an added social note, the trade delegation was invited to attend the NFL's reception hosted
by the teams before the Sunday football game showcasing the San Diego Chargers and the Denver
Broncos. Several delegates attended the weekend event before leaving for Melbourne.

Conclusion/Next Steps: The trade mission was an overall success and firms will need to follow up on the
excellent contacts and leads made. Several firms have invited and will host Australian companies they
met for visits to the U.S. Most firms on the trade mission are planning return trips to both Sydney and
Melbourne to follow up on leads.


Business Connections International Trade Show
Warrington, England

As president on the American Expatriates of Northwest England, Alliance of Business Women International
Chairman Fran Close was the U.S. representative who helped develop the first American Pavilion at this
international exposition in 1994, and who has continued to explore important "Business Connections"
contacts. Women business owners, small and medium sized companies, and minority businesses looking
for new trading partners or ways to expand current markets are encouraged to attend and lend full support
to the ABWI marketplace. There were also social functions, networking opportunities with ABWI affiliates
from around the world, area trips and scheduled business appointments. Fran Close's influence and
dedication to international businesses led to an Honorary Ambassador Award from Warrington, England
and recognition from the White House (under the Clinton administration) for her development of the
trade and twinship agreement struck between Warrington, England and Lake County, Illinois and for her
assistance in building relationships for economic development and business organizations benefiting
from the relationship.

Northwest England's premier international business to business event in Warrington England showcased
approximately 700 companies and organizations from local, national and international markets, offering
trading partners to all attending. The Business Connections trade show was seen as a premier European
venue, providing companies with an opportunity to meet key decision makers, to exhibit their products
and services and to establish new partnerships with organizations from 19 states of the USA and 20
overseas countries. Over 10,000 people attended Business Connections over the two days of the event,
which was held at the former U.S. Airbase at Burtonwood which in its heyday was home to 18,000 American
servicemen in WWII and which also played a major part in the Berlin
airlift and the Operation Desert Storm.