Wisconsin Department of Commerce: Gov. Jim Doyle's Trade Mission To Central Europe - Czech Republic and Poland November 8-16, 2005

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Gov. Jim Doyle's Trade Mission To Central Europe

Czech Republic and Poland
November 8-16, 2005

Market Info | Itinerary | Costs | Registration Packet

Market Info

Central Europe holds great promise for Wisconsin companies seeking to build their export volume. For the first quarter of 2005, Wisconsin exports are up 142 percent to Poland and up 109 percent to the Czech Republic. Poland has the largest economy ($427B) of the 10 states that joined the EU in 2004. Its 40 million citizens make it the sixth largest market in the expanded EU. Poland is a very pro-American society and is often referred to as our closest friend in Europe. The Czech Republic is one of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist states in Central and Eastern Europe. It is the top-ranked Eastern European country based on business environment.

Governor Doyle’s Trade Mission is open to all Wisconsin exporters of product or services. U.S. Department of Commerce staff report that several product sectors have above average sales potential in the region market. Leading sectors for exports to the Czech Republic and Poland include:

Industrial machinery/transportation equipment
Computers and peripheral electronic equipment
Medical devices and equipment
Environmental/pollution control technology
Auto parts/services/equipment
Sporting goods and recreational equipment
Defense/Security/Safety equipment
Plastics
Meat products

More information on the Czech Republic is available at:

More information on Poland is available at:

Traveling with the Governor to an increasingly important foreign market like Central Europe opens doors for Wisconsin companies seeking to establish or expand business contacts. The Department of Commerce European trade promotion office will arrange appointment schedules tailored to the specific needs of participating businesses. Appointment schedules will be limited to the first 12 companies that have a deposit on file. Appointment schedule requests will be accepted until September 15. Later requests will be accepted based upon availability.

One-on-one appointments can be arranged with:

qualified business contacts
potential agents and distributors
potential customers and end-users
market information specialists
government officials and regulators

Staff from the Department of Commerce and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection will be available to assist Wisconsin firms plan and implement long-range international sales efforts. If you want business appointments scheduled in Prague and Warsaw please contact Brad Schneider, International Trade Consultant with the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, ph: (920) 420-1796.

Itinerary

The mission itinerary is designed to maximize participants' ability to meet with appropriate contacts for their line of business and can be customized to meet the needs of individual members of the delegation.

Central Europe Mission Itinerary
Tuesday, Nov. 8	Depart Wisconsin
Wednesday, Nov. 9	Arrive in Prague Afternoon - Business Delegation Briefing by the U.S. Embassy Evening - Group Dinner Overnight - Prague Marriott Hotel
Thursday, Nov. 10	Morning/Afternoon - Business Delegation: pre-arranged business meetings Evening - U.S. Ambassador's Reception Overnight - Prague Marriott Hotel
Friday, Nov. 11	Morning - American Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Morning/Afternoon - Business Delegation: pre-arranged business meetings Evening - Networking Reception Overnight - Prague Marriott Hotel
Sunday, Nov. 13	Travel from Prague to Warsaw, Poland Overnight - Sheraton Warsaw Hotel and Towers
Monday, Nov. 14	Morning - Business Delegation Briefing by the U.S. Embassy Morning/Afternoon - Business Delegation: pre-arranged business meetings Evening - Group Dinner Overnight - Sheraton Warsaw Hotel and Towers
Tuesday, Nov. 15	Morning/Afternoon - Business Delegation: pre-arranged business meetings Noon - American Chamber of Commerce luncheon Evening - U.S. Ambassador's Reception Overnight - Sheraton Warsaw Hotel and Towers
Wednesday, Nov. 16	Return to Wisconsin

Adelman Travel is the dedicated travel agency for the trade mission. Amy Sommerfeld will assist you with your travel reservations and can be reached toll-free at (866) 339-4741 or by email at agroup@adelmanmail.com. We will provide suggested flights and will have group ground transportation coordinated to meet these specific flights. You will be responsible for the booking and payment of your flights.

A passport is required for travel into the Czech Republic and Poland. Please be sure that your passport is valid through May 16, 2006. Other entry requirements may apply for citizens of countries other than the U.S.

Costs

The estimated costs of participating in Governor Doyle's Trade Mission to the New Central Europe are outlined below. Final costs will be determined by a company's level of participation. Mission pricing for additional company personnel is available. The registration form is to be completed by each individual joining the trade mission. Please return the registration forms immediately via FAX at (608) 266-5551. A deposit made out to "Wisconsin Department of Commerce" in the amount of $1000 is required to confirm your participation. Deposits are refundable for cancellations received by October 7, 2005. Other cancellation penalties may apply to those companies who have requested appointment schedules. Your credit card will be used only to guarantee your hotel reservations and cannot be used for the deposit.

Basic Mission fee (estimated) The basic mission fee includes group ground transportation, group breakfasts and dinners, business receptions, pre and post-mission assistance, on-site support in Prague and Warsaw, pre-mission business briefing, trade mission directory, promotional support and complete mission planning.	$1550.00
Business appointment schedules Individualized business appointment schedules in Prague and Warsaw are included in this fee and are available to the first 12 Wisconsin companies who have registered and have submitted a deposit. One-on-one appointments will be held in the designated mission hotels. The price includes meeting facility costs. Please note, transportation to a company site and interpreters are not included. Arrangements for these services, if required, will be handled by the Wisconsin Trade Office.	$1350.00
Estimated Roundtrip Coach Airfare (per person) Wisconsin to Prague, Prague to Warsaw, and return to Wisconsin	$1350.00
Hotel Costs (7 nights) Four nights at the Prague Marriott Hotel and three nights at the Sheraton Warsaw Hotel and Towers. Hotel costs are based on single occupancy.	$1100.00

To reserve a spot on the mission, print the registration form , fill it out, and FAX it back to (608) 266-5551.

For additional information about mission logistics, contact Jennifer Winner, phone: (608) 266-0413, e-mail: jwinner@commerce.state.wi.us or Christine Stamm, phone: (608) 264-7824
e-mail: cstamm@commerce.state.wi.us .

Questions about the Central European market can be addressed to Brad Schneider, phone: (920) 420-1796, e-mail: bschneider@commerce.state.wi.us .

To hear what some past mission members have to say about the value of trade missions, check out an article from the June 2005 edition of Business Watch .