Call for Exporter of the Year Nominations

The Vermont International Business Council (VIBC), a standing committee of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, is accepting nominations for the 2006 Exporter of the Year. Given to a company that has contributed significantly to Vermonts international trade stature, the prestigious Exporter of the Year award recognizes the hard work, performance, innovation, and vision Vermont companies display when competing in the global marketplace.
Elements of exporting may include: the direct sale of products and services; creating jobs in the international sector; marketing Vermont as a destination for overseas visitors; and increasing foreign student enrollment at Vermonts educational institutions. Companies may nominate themselves. Parent companies, subsidiaries, and/or divisions of other companies are eligible.
Criteria used in consideration of this award include:
* International trade marketing strategies
* Overcoming barriers (legal, cultural, linguistic)
* Using local, state or federal resources to expand exports
* Importance of exporting to the companys bottom line
* Assistance/encouragement to other small businesses entering export markets
* Use of Vermont-produced components and/or services in production of export product
The award will be presented on Thursday, May 25, 2006, as part of the International Trade Luncheon at the 2006 Vermont Business & Industry EXPO, at the Sheraton Conference Center in Burlington. Former Exporters of the Year include Sonnax Industries, Inc., LeCOUNT, Inc., Tubbs Snowshoes, Rock of Ages Corporation, St. Michaels School of International Studies, Fab-Tech, Inc., and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters.
Now in its ninth year, the award is presented annually by the VIBC and the U.S. Department of Commerce. Since 1993, the Vermont Chamber has explored Vermont business opportunities in Taiwan, China and the greater Pacific Rim area, maintaining an office in Taipei, Taiwan and Shanghai, China.
The application deadline is Friday, March 10, 2006. Nomination forms are available on the EXPO website (www.vtexpo.com) or by contacting Curtis Picard at the Vermont Chamber of Commerce (802-223-3443, [email protected]). For more information about EXPO 2006, please visit www.vtexpo.com.