International Trade Office
The Colorado International Trade Office (ITO) is the state government agency responsible for assisting Colorado companies with all aspects of exporting, including counseling, protocol, leading trade missions, and conducting trade shows abroad. By promoting Colorado exports and attracting foreign investment, the ITO helps to build Colorado's identity as an international business center, encouraging foreign buyers to look to Colorado for products and services. The ITO is open to the public and most services are rendered at no cost.
ITO provides a variety of services to Colorado businesses and generally works to improve Colorado's relationships with foreign markets. ITO services include:
Export Counseling -- Trade specialists counsel clients on analyzing markets, determining export potential, identifying market entry strategies, providing market research, locating potential distributors or agents, and answering questions on payment terms, procedures, and shipping, among other export-related matters.
Trade & Catalog Shows -- A company can be represented by an ITO trade specialist in a catalog show, where its literature will be distributed to potential customers and contacts, and leads will be obtained on the company's behalf. A company may also choose to participate by going to the trade show with the ITO and representing itself and its products.
Trade Missions -- ITO arranges customized appointments for each company with industry and government leaders, provides industry briefings, and facilitates every aspect of a trade mission to provide Colorado companies with direct exposure to target markets outside the U.S.
Seminars, Workshops and Classes -- ITO works together with the World Trade Center Denver and the U.S. Export Assistance Center to coordinate a "Basics of Exporting" workshop series that includes sessions on marketing, methods of payment, financing, documentation, shipping and insurance, and export controls and licensing. Courses are offered year-round, with some designed to target specific business issues.
Did You Know?
Colorado has trade representatives and offices throughout the world, in countries like Mexico, Japan, Switzerland, Argentina, Germany, Brazil and Jordan. Denver has two additional offices in London and Shanghai. |