Connections with the nation of Colombia grew stronger last week with two milestone events taking place. Avianca, the world's second oldest airline, initiated its inaugural service into Orlando International Airport from Bogatá, Colombia. This additional service brings to 5900 the total number of new weekly international seats into our market for the summer of 2011.

On the heels of Avianca's arrival, former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Vélez travelled to Orlando to encourage increased trade between our markets. Following an official welcome to the community by EDC President and CEO Rick Weddle, the hugely popular former President, who was the first in his country's history to serve two terms, spoke at length to a group of over 100 local businesspeople about the economic development benefits of the pending free trade agreement between Colombia and the United States. The President was followed by Orlando Commissioner Tony Ortiz, who provided an overview of our market to the 45-plus Colombian businesspeople travelling with the president.

The EDC worked closely with event organizers - which included KEP Brokers, ESSE Consultores, MPC Financial Strategies, the Law Firm of Colombo, Hurd & Brandt, and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando - in the planning of this event. The opening of direct flights on Avianca between Bogatá and Orlando, along with high level government and business interest in trade and joint ventures, bodes well for increased business ties between our markets.

"Why export?" That was the question posed during the Economic & Jobs Summit on April 15, which was the 6th in a series hosted by Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs. "Because it's good for your bottom line," was the answer given time and again by presenters, panelists and participants.

Consider these facts:

• 95 percent of the world's consumers live outside of the United States. Companies only selling domestically are reaching just a small share of potential customers.
• About one of every five factory jobs - or 20 percent of all jobs in America's manufacturing sector - depends on exports.
• Florida Origin Exports reached $55.2 billion in 2010 - a 17.8 percent increase from 2009 levels.
• Nearly 1.3 million jobs in Florida depend on international business and more than 55,000 Florida companies export. This is the second largest number of exporters in the U.S. after California.
• Small and medium size companies accounted for 62 percent of Florida exports in 2008. This is the highest figure among the 50 states and is much higher than the U.S. average of 31percent.
• And, perhaps most importantly for your company, companies that export report higher growth, pay higher wages, and are more profitable than non-exporters.

As part of our global outreach, the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission (EDC) provides direct consultation services to local businesses interested in establishing or expanding overseas trade. The EDC's International Business Development team promotes and supports local industry in several ways.

Outbound Trade Missions
Trade missions into foreign markets serve as matchmaking events, with appointments scheduled for local companies with potential international partners. Whether coordinated directly by the EDC, through the U.S. Department of Commerce, or through one of Enterprise Florida's international offices, these missions, which provide opportunities for in-depth presentations, are especially beneficial for companies whose products/services are not easily explained.

Inbound Trade Missions
In conjunction with partners such as Enterprise Florida, the EDC also coordinates several inbound trade missions into our market each year. These events help match local companies with potential international partners and promote greater trade between Orlando and the visiting region. Many of the participating delegates are particularly interested in understanding our region's strength in technology products and services.

Export Counseling
The EDC team visits hundreds of Metro Orlando companies each year to discuss a variety of business issues, including international trade. Our export counseling program can provide answers to shipping, legal and other technical questions. The EDC also frequently matches local companies with experts in the area through a referral service designed to meet specific company needs. Hundreds of local companies receive export counseling each year from the EDC.

Export Road Shows
The EDC hosts a series of Export Road Shows across the Metro Orlando region. These informative sessions, which are designed to help companies that are new to exporting, provide access to attorneys, CPAs, government organizations, freight forwarders, bankers and other international service companies who can answer a variety of questions related to international trade.

Throughout the Metro Orlando community, in addition to the EDC, you can find numerous support organizations and resources focused on helping you navigate the waters of international trade. Our region is home to three Consulate General Offices, five Honorary Consulates, over 20 bi-national chambers of commerce, and more than 50 bi-national cultural and trade organizations. For a list of those organizations and other EDC partners, click here.

For more information about how the Metro Orlando EDC can help your business, contact: Carmenza Gonzalez or Irma Stenman.

On the heels of the G20 Summit held in Seoul, South Korea, members of President Obama's President's Export Council, the principal national advisory committee on government policies and programs that affect U.S. trade performance, gathered in Orlando this week to meet with Florida companies interested in entering new export markets.

Orange County Mayor Richard T. Crotty, Enterprise Florida president John Adams, and EDC Executive Vice President Brian Walters and International Business Development VP Carmenza Gonzalez were among those representing our state and local interests in the forum, which was led by Courtney Gregoire, Director of the National Export Initiative (NEI) for the International Trade Administration. The meeting was held at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport.

Discussion focused on opportunities and challenges facing companies who are exporting to other countries. Several business leaders talked about challenges, ranging from cultural and market barriers to compliance and intellectual property. Lake Mary-based Brijot Imaging Systems was highlighted because of its success in exporting its non-invasive full body imaging systems to other countries.

Over the next five years, the NEI seeks to double the number of exports through a multi-faceted action plan designed to help ease and remove trade barriers, as well as to help companies overcome hurdles to entering new export markets.

Studies demonstrate that companies with a significant international portfolio grow faster, are more profitable and are less susceptible to domestic downturns. Many Florida businesses have taken that lesson to heart. Recent statistics indicate that our state is home to more than 42,000 exporters, the second highest number in the United States. In 2008, Florida companies exported more than $54 billion worth of goods - making it the fifth largest exporting state in the country - and over $30 billion worth of services were sold to companies in over 200 countries around the world.

International trade is big business and an economic engine for many Florida companies. Are you one of them? Would you like to be? If so, the State of Florida has several valuable resources available.

To help our companies connect with buyers worldwide, Enterprise Florida has established the online Florida Export Directory. This new site provides a means for Florida exporters to gain international market exposure free-of-charge through a searchable, web-based directory. An aggressive advertising, public relations and trade show promotional campaign is planned to promote the Florida Export Directory to foreign buyers interested in sales, agent/distributorships, licensing/franchise agreements and joint venture opportunities.

Metro Orlando companies interested in expanding their business into markets worldwide are encouraged to take advantage of this free promotional tool. Go get started, go to www.FloridaExportDirectory.com. First check to see if your company is already listed. If not, click the "Register" button to begin the registration process.

Enterprise Florida has also launched a new trade promotion initiative - the Target Sector Trade Event Grants program - designed to help companies showcase their products through U.S. Certified trade exhibitions and select Florida trade shows in key markets worldwide. Through this program, eligible small companies (500 or less employees) can qualify for event-specific grants that will enable them to participate in major international product exhibitions worldwide, opening up opportunities which they otherwise might not be able to afford. Particular emphasis is given to companies in the following sectors: Aviation & Aerospace, Clean Energy, Financial & Professional Services, Homeland Security & Defense, Information Technology, Life Sciences, Boating/Marine Industry, and other targeted manufacturing sectors.

Applicants must be nominated - and approved - by their local economic development organization, so you can begin the process by contacting the Metro Orlando EDC's international business development team, Irma.Stenman@OrlandoEDC.com.
Expanding into international markets can be vital to the success of a company's growth strategy, particularly during difficult economic times. We encourage you to explore the potential of these valuable resources.