Four Thunder Bay companies and representatives from Development Thunder Bay were among the participants at the Arrowhead Home and Builders Trade Show in Duluth, Minn. recently. The companies were successful in promoting their products and also networked with United States firms and learned about he enormity of the United States northern states market.
As a marketing component of the Forest Centre of Excellence project, and through its partnerships with FedNor and the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Development Thunder Bay has facilitated local export-ready companies to attend or be represented at a series of trade shows in Minnesota and Wisconsin over the past two years.
Since the beginning of 2000, 12 Thunder Bay companies have participated in seven targeted American trade shows with Development Thunder Bay.
During the Arrowhead Trade Show, Development Thunder Bay also promoted other local companies, the local forestry sector and tourism activities.
Officials with Development Thunder Bay say the trade-show missions offer a cost-saving opportunity for local small to medium-sized enterprises to gain access into the United States to expand their markets.