TMA BlueTech has again partnered with the International Trade Administration (ITA) – part of the U.S. Department of Commerce – to organize and underwrite the U.S. Maritime Technology Export Initiative (USMTEI) to promote U.S. BlueTech exports through selected trade shows and trade missions. With partial funding from the Market Development Coordinator Program (MDCP), the USMTEI is a 4-year export initiative (2023-2027) focused on global markets with an emphasis on European and Asian markets, and helps offset the costs for U.S. companies to exhibit at key industry trade shows.
If your company is interested in finding export opportunities and/or distribution partners for the Japanese market, this is a significant opportunity for your company. Not only will you get an exhibition spot at a dramatically reduced cost at the Sea Japan trade show, but you will get the opportunity to actively work with the International Trade Administration to leverage their network to find trusted customers and partners in the Japanese market.
U.S. BlueTech SME’s are invited to apply for TMA's USMTEI initiative for the Sea Japan trade show opportunity as soon as possible. 8 U.S. companies will be accepted on a rolling basis until all slots are filled. Costs and benefits are listed below.
Starting now, companies who are based primarily in the U.S. and want to explore export opportunities to Japan are invited to apply to join a cohort of 8 companies who will exhibit at Sea Japan in Tokyo, Japan (April 10-12). This biennial event is considered one of the leading ocean tech trade shows in the world and will showcase hundreds of exhibitors’ latest products and services in an in-person, hands-on environment. This forum opens significant commercial opportunities for exhibiting companies at a significantly reduced cost.
The Sea Japan trade show comes at a pivotal moment for the world’s oceans. In 2015 the UN unanimously approved the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with 17 Sustainable Development Goals. And the UN Decade for Ocean Science runs from 2021-2030 as the world strengthens its efforts to mobilize, create and drive solutions for the “Science We Need, for the Ocean We Want”. This is the time to forge global partnerships to propel much needed science-based innovative solutions focused on a new chapter for sustainable ocean growth.
TMA will coordinate all aspects related to trade show pavilion space, accommodation and additional events.
Sunday, April 7th
Arrive at TMA hotel in Tokyo
Monday, April 8th
Day trip to Shizuoka, Japan to meet with TMA cluster partner, Marine Open Innovation Institute (MaOI). Purpose: conduct site visits of local distributors; meet region’s key partners. Return to TMA hotel in Tokyo in the evening.
Tuesday, April 9th
Meeting with local partners to explore local distributors/trade partners, and to set up exhibition spots at TMA pavilion at Sea Japan trade show.
Wednesday-Friday, April 10-12
Exhibit at Sea Japan trade show
Saturday, April 13th
Depart
$4,800 per company* (discounted ~45% to normal rate) includes a 1-meter2 pod in the TMA BlueTech Pavilion located in booth 2F-42 with poster signage, cabinet, electrical, exhibitor listing, meeting areas and hotel lodging for 7 nights for one person, along with B2B networking, four group dinners, networking receptions, TMA support and possible site visits in Tokyo and Shizuoka. Each additional person is $2,000 (assumes 7 nights). Individuals are responsible for their own flights.
- Pre-event webinars/seminars and post-event follow-up
- Media/publicity about your company’s selection for the Export initiative
- Export counseling/export promotion services offered by the U.S. Commercial Service and TMA
- Invitations to exclusive VIP networking receptions
- B2B networking and other export promotion services organized by TMA
- Possible separate site visits and meetings with local maritime, port and BlueTech organizations
- 12-month membership with TMA BlueTech 2024** (a $1,000-$5,000 value)
- Complimentary passes to BlueTech Week 2024 (a $700 value)
- Possibility to speak on panel at BlueTech Week 2024
100% of the participant fee is due to TMA BlueTech within 30 days of invoicing
Checks are payable to TMA BlueTech and can be mailed to 325 West University, STE 362, San Diego, CA 92103. Credit Cards accepted.
Due to possible COVID issues that may restrict travel
TMA has the ability to cancel the show pavilion and hotel 30-days prior to Sea Japan if it appears unsuitable to TMA in its sole judgment to travel, in which case fees will be returned to companies. If this proves to not to be the case, and since trade shows require advance commitments, TMA will NOT provide any refunds on cancellations.
Submitting Confidential Quarterly Reports
Submitting Confidential Quarterly Reports to TMA that summarize your export results based on your participation including value and volume of exports, signed agreements, and other examples of your success in generating exports or developing partnerships abroad. U.S. Federal Policies require quarterly reports for at least four (4) quarters following the Export Event(s). If ITA or TMA wishes to publicize your success, your written approval will be requested.
To participate in this program, you must certify that you are, that your company is, or that you or your company represents, either: (a) a United States citizen; (b) a corporation, partnership or other association created under the laws of the United States or of any State therein; or (c) a foreign corporation, partnership, or other association, more than 95% of which is owned by persons/entities described in (a) and (b) above; AND you are, your company is, or the entity that you or your company represents is, exporting, or seeks to export, goods or services produced in the United States, or goods or services that contain at least 51 percent U.S. content.
If you are interested in joining the Sea Japan trade mission, and would like to apply with no obligation, click here.
OR, if you have more questions, please write to [email protected].
"TMA and ITA exceeded my expectations with the USMTEI. We had a packed schedule before, at, and after Ocean Business meeting with companies and organizations in our industry. You would be hard pressed to find another way to open as many doors in such a short amount of time." - Mark Gundersen – VP, Autonomous Vehicles, Marine Advanced Robotics
"As a young small business, the programs offered by USMTEI, TMA, and ITA provided us with an invaluable opportunity to reach new customers and companies. We hope to participate again and would highly recommend the program." - Rusty Jehangir – Founder, Blue Robotics
* Possible supplemental services may be provided that are not included in the package price
** For first-time members only