STEP International Business Trip Support
Highlights
The International Business Trip Support Service is designed for businesses like yours that are looking to expand into new markets. This program offers comprehensive support to help you plan and execute market development missions. By participating, you can focus on selling your products or services while STEP handles the logistics and planning.
Why should you apply?
- Expert Guidance: STEP professionals will help you choose the right market and clarify your business objectives.
- Financial Assistance: Explore potential sources of funding to support your trip.
- In-Market Contacts: Gain access to a list of pre-qualified prospects and receive advice on how to approach them.
- Travel Arrangements: Assistance with all travel logistics, making your trip hassle-free.
What’s in it for you?
- Maximized Efficiency: Spend your time effectively by focusing on sales rather than planning.
- Valuable Insights: Gather crucial market information and meet with potential clients.
- Ease of Qualification: The program is available to Regular Members and can be used up to two times per business year.
Applying for this program can significantly boost your market development efforts, making it easier to expand your business internationally.
Financing Details
Type of Financing: Grant
Eligible Expenses:
- Travel costs to the target market
- Accommodation expenses
- Meals and incidental expenses
- Costs related to meeting with pre-qualified prospects
- Market research and intelligence services
Ineligible Expenses:
- Personal expenses unrelated to the business trip
- Entertainment costs
- Costs incurred outside the scope of the business trip
Fees:
- No fees associated with the initial two uses of the service per STEP business year
- Additional usage of the service beyond the initial two times incurs extra fees
This grant covers essential expenses to help you plan and execute market development missions effectively. It ensures you can focus on selling your products/services while maximizing your time in the market.
Qualifications
- Must be a Regular Member of STEP.
- Must be planning and executing market development missions and trips independently.
- Must provide 10–12 weeks advance notice of travel dates for proper assistance.
If Market Intelligence services are required, must provide 6–8 weeks advance notice.
Disqualifications:
- Non-members of STEP.
- Businesses not planning their own market development missions and trips.
- Businesses unable to provide the required advance notice for travel dates.
Description
This program helps your business plan and carry out market development trips. You can use it to explore new markets, meet potential clients, and gather valuable market information.
Key benefits include:
- Financial assistance: The program can help you find sources of financial support for your trip.
- Expert guidance: A team of trade professionals will help you choose the right market, set clear objectives, and develop a list of contacts.
- Travel support: Assistance with travel arrangements ensures you can focus on selling your products or services.
You can use this service up to two times per business year. If you need more trips, additional fees apply. This program maximizes your time in the market, making your business trips more effective and productive.
Program Steps
Contact STEP: Reach out to STEP by email at [email protected] or by phone at 1-888-976-7875 to express your interest in the International Business Trip Support Service.
Schedule a Meeting: Arrange a meeting with a STEP Trade Development professional to discuss your target market and clarify your business travel objectives.
Explore Financial Assistance: Discuss any available sources of financial assistance that may support your business trip.
Develop In-Market Contacts: Work with STEP to create a list of in-market contacts that align with your business goals.
Prepare Documentation: Gather the necessary documents for your application, including:
- Business Plan
- Financial Statements
- Travel Itinerary
- List of Target Markets and Objectives
- Any Previous Market Research
Plan Travel Arrangements: Coordinate with STEP to get assistance with travel arrangements, ensuring all logistics are in place.
Submit Application: Provide all required documentation and information to STEP for review and approval.
Exporter Trip: Conduct your business trip, focusing on gathering market information and meeting with pre-qualified prospects.
Post-Travel Debriefing: After your trip, participate in a debriefing session with STEP to review outcomes and plan any necessary follow-up actions.