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Trade Fairs and Missions

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (FAITC)

Last Verified: 2007-06-27

Trade fairs and trade missions help Canadian companies expand their interests in global markets. Market information, financial assistance and assistance with the logistical details associated with participating in these events are provided, freeing a company to concentrate on its marketing efforts.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for participation in such a trade activity, companies must:

  • be incorporated and operating in Canada;
  • produce a product or service with 50% or more Canadian content and/or be likely to generate significant economic benefits for Canada;
  • have fulfilled reporting repayment requirements on all Program for Export Market Development (PEMD) projects;
  • be registered with FAITC's Virtual Trade Commissioner (VTC) database or Industry Canada's Canadian Company Capabilities.

Summary

What services are available?

The six core services provided by the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) at the offices abroad include market prospects, visit information, local company information, key contacts searches, face-to-face briefings, and troubleshooting. Market prospects include notifying Canadian clients of upcoming events (trade fairs, conferences, seminars, trade missions) through the use of the Virtual Trade Commissioner and InfoExport.gc.ca.

For the following services, the TCS will refer clients to a third-party who generally charges a fee: extensive program of appointments, logistical support, business support services, participation in events, temporary office or display space. For more information on TCS services, please visit the Web site.

The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service provides support for trade missions that cover various sectors of Canadian industry and diverse international markets. The roles and responsibilities of the TCS and other trade mission participants are clarified in advance of the event using the Business Mission Agreement.

The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service recruits companies and establishes an itinerary based on the needs of the participants, and briefing sessions are held to explain local market practices and customs. Industry participants must pay all their direct costs, i.e. airfare, accommodation, meals, etc. In addition, companies must pay a participation fee, which is used to offset such costs as hospitality, group transportation, publicity and rental of meeting rooms.

Outgoing Trade Missions

Outgoing trade missions are visits by selected Canadian firms to a target foreign market. They provide an opportunity for new-to-market companies to obtain current information and intelligence in preparation for market entry. Participants gain exposure and establish key contacts in the target market. This enables them to make informed decisions upon which they can build their export marketing plans.

Incoming Trade Missions

Incoming trade missions are visits to Canada by foreign buyers/investors, designed to increase the visitors' knowledge of Canada as a potential source of supply, a place of investment, or to arrange a joint venture. They enable Canadian companies included in the itinerary to promote their goods/services to the visitors and develop important business contacts.

Trade Fairs

Trade fairs abroad covering various industry sectors and a broad range of export markets provide exporters, interested or newly established in the target market, with an opportunity to promote their products and services, identify potential sales opportunities, develop valuable business contacts and/or locate agents and distributors. Trade fairs also enable participants to assess competition from other suppliers and gather other market intelligence, which will assist them to penetrate the market. Trade fair participation is funded through cost-sharing, so charges for participating companies will vary. The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service will contract out to third parties the coordination of exhibits, rental of exhibit space, design, construction, set-up and dismantling of exhibit structures. The TCS may provide official hospitality and a coordinated publicity program in the context of a Business Mission Agreement.

Alberta Contact(s):
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Room 400
639 - 5th Avenue South West
Calgary, Alberta  T2P 0M9
Telephone: 403-292-4575
Fax: 403-292-4578
Toll-free (information): 1-800-267-8376
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-9136
E-mail: clgry@international.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/menu-en.asp

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Room 725
Canada Place
9700 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4C3
Telephone: 780-495-2944
Fax: 780-495-4507
Toll-free (information): 1-800-267-8376
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-9136
E-mail: edmtn@international.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/menu-en.asp

British Columbia Contact(s):
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Room 2000
300 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, British Columbia  V6B 6E1
Telephone: 604-666-0434
Fax: 604-666-0954
Toll-free (information): 1-800-267-8376
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-9136
E-mail: vncvr@international.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/menu-en.asp

Manitoba Contact(s):
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
4th Floor
400 St. Mary Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3C 4K5
Telephone: 204-983-5851
Fax: 204-983-3182
Toll-free (information): 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada)
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-9136
E-mail: wnnpg@international.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/menu-en.asp

New Brunswick Contact(s):
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Unit 103
1045 Main Street
Moncton, New Brunswick  E1C 1H1
Telephone: 506-851-6452
Fax: 506-851-6429
Toll-free (information): 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada)
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-9136
E-mail: mnctn@international.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/menu-en.asp

Newfoundland and Labrador Contact(s):
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
10th Floor, Phase II
John Cabot Building
10 Barter's Hill
P.O. Box 8950
St. John's, NL, Newfoundland and Labrador  A1B 3R9
Telephone: 709-772-5511
Fax: 709-772-5093
Toll-free (information): 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada)
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-9136
E-mail: stjns@international.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/menu-en.asp

Northwest Territories Contact(s):
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
4th Floor
400 St. Mary Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3C 4K5
Telephone: 204-983-5851
Fax: 204-983-3182
Toll-free (information): 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada)
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-9136
E-mail: wnnpg@international.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/menu-en.asp

Nova Scotia Contact(s):
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
5th Floor
World Trade and Convention Centre
1800 Argyle Street
P.O. Box 940, Station M
Halifax, Nova Scotia  B3J 2V9
Telephone: 902-426-7540
Fax: 902-426-5218
Toll-free (information): 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada)
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-9136
E-mail: hlfax@international.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/menu-en.asp

Nunavut Contact(s):
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
4th Floor
400 St. Mary Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3C 4K5
Telephone: 204-983-5851
Fax: 204-983-3182
Toll-free (information): 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada)
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-9136
E-mail: wnnpg@international.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/menu-en.asp

Ontario Contact(s):
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
4th Floor
151 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario  M5C 2W7
Telephone: 416-973-5053
Fax: 416-973-8161
Toll-free (information): 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada)
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-9136
E-mail: trnto@international.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/menu-en.asp

Prince Edward Island Contact(s):
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
2nd Floor
75 Fitzroy Street
P.O. Box 1115
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island  C1A 7M8
Telephone: 902-566-7382
Fax: 902-566-6859
Toll-free (information): 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada)
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-9136
E-mail: chrltn@iinternational.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/menu-en.asp

Quebec Contact(s):
Abitibi - Témiscamingue
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
906, 5e Avenue
Val D'or, Quebec  J9P 1B9
Telephone: 819-825-5260
Fax: 819-825-3245
Toll-free (information): 1-800-567-6451
Web site: http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/asp/Apropos/BureauxAffaires.asp?LANG=EN

Bas-Saint-Laurent
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Suite 310
Trust général du Canada Building
2 Saint-Germain Street East
Rimouski, Quebec  G5L 8T7
Telephone: 418-722-3282
Fax: 418-722-3285
Toll-free (information): 1-800-463-9073
Web site: http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/asp/Apropos/BureauxAffaires.asp?LANG=EN

Centre-du-Québec
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Suite 502
Place du Centre
150 Marchand Street
Drummondville, Quebec  J2C 4N1
Telephone: 819-478-4664
Fax: 819-478-4666
Toll-free (information): 1-800-567-1418
Web site: http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/asp/Apropos/BureauxAffaires.asp?LANG=EN

Côte-Nord
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Suite 202 B
701 Laure Boulevard
P.O. Box 698
Sept-Îles, Quebec  G4R 4K9
Telephone: 418-968-3426
Fax: 418-968-0806
Toll-free (information): 1-800-463-1707
Web site: http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/asp/Apropos/BureauxAffaires.asp?LANG=EN

Estrie
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Suite 240
Andrew Paton Place
65 Belvédère Street North
Sherbrooke, Quebec  J1H 4A7
Telephone: 819-564-5904
Fax: 819-564-5912
Toll-free (information): 1-800-567-6084
Web site: http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/asp/Apropos/BureauxAffaires.asp?LANG=EN

Gaspésie/Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
3rd Floor
Place Jacques Cartier
120 de la Reine Street
Gaspé, Quebec  G4X 2S1
Telephone: 418-368-5870
Fax: 418-368-6256
Toll-free (information): 1-866-368-0044
Web site: http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/asp/Apropos/BureauxAffaires.asp?LANG=EN

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Room 800
5 Place Ville-Marie
Montréal, Quebec  H3B 2G2
Telephone: 514-283-6328
Fax: 514-283-8794
Toll-free (information): 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada)
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-9136
E-mail: mntrl@international.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/menu-en.asp

Laval - Laurentides - Lanaudière
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Suite 204
Tour Triomphe II
2540 Daniel-Johnson Boulevard
Laval, Quebec  H7T 2S3
Telephone: 450-973-6844
Fax: 450-973-6851
Toll-free (information): 1-800-430-6844
Web site: http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/asp/Apropos/BureauxAffaires.asp?LANG=EN

Mauricie
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Suite 413
Bourg du Fleuve Building
25 des Forges Street
Trois-Rivières, Quebec  G9A 2G4
Telephone: 819-371-5182
Fax: 819-371-5186
Toll-free (information): 1-800-567-8637
Web site: http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/asp/Apropos/BureauxAffaires.asp?LANG=EN

Montérégie
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Suite 400
Place Agropur
101 Roland-Therrien Boulevard
Longueuil, Quebec  J4H 4B9
Telephone: 450-928-4088
Fax: 450-928-4097
Toll-free (information): 1-800-284-0335
Web site: http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/asp/Apropos/BureauxAffaires.asp?LANG=EN

Nord-du-Québec
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Suite 3800
800 Victoria Square
Tour de la Bourse
P.O. Box 247
Montréal, Quebec  H4Z 1E8
Telephone: 514-283-8131
Fax: 514-283-3637
Toll-free (information): 1-800-561-0633
Web site: http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/asp/Apropos/BureauxAffaires.asp?LANG=EN

Outaouais
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Suite 202
259 Saint-Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau, Quebec  J8Y 6T1
Telephone: 819-994-7442
Fax: 819-994-7846
Toll-free (information): 1-800-561-4353
Web site: http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/asp/Apropos/BureauxAffaires.asp?LANG=EN

Québec - Chaudière - Appalaches
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
2nd Floor
John-Munn Building
112 Dalhousie Street
Québec, Quebec  G1K 4C1
Telephone: (418) 648-4826
Fax: (418) 648-7291
Toll-free (information): 1-800-463-5204
Web site: http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/asp/Apropos/BureauxAffaires.asp?LANG=EN

Saguenay - Lac-Saint-Jean
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Suite 203
170 St-Joseph Street South
Alma, Quebec  G8B 3E8
Telephone: 418-668-3084
Fax: 418-668-7584
Toll-free (information): 1-800-463-9808
Web site: http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/asp/Apropos/BureauxAffaires.asp?LANG=EN

Île-de-Montréal
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
3340 De l'Assomption Boulevard
Montréal, Quebec  H1N 3S4
Telephone: 514-283-2500
Fax: 514-496-8310
Toll-free (information): 1-800-322-4636
Web site: http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/asp/Apropos/BureauxAffaires.asp?LANG=EN

Saskatchewan Contact(s):
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Room 320
1801 Hamilton Street
Regina, Saskatchewan  S4P 3N9
Telephone: 306-780-6124
Fax: 306-780-8797
Toll-free (information): 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada)
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-9136
E-mail: rgina@international.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/menu-en.asp

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
7th Floor, Princeton Tower
123 - 2nd Avenue South
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan  S7K 7E6
Telephone: 306-975-5315
Fax: 306-975-5334
Toll-free (information): 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada)
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-9136
E-mail: ssktn@international.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/menu-en.asp

Yukon Contact(s):
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Room 2000
300 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, British Columbia  V6B 6E1
Telephone: 604-666-0434
Fax: 604-666-0954
Toll-free (information): 1-800-267-8376
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-9136
E-mail: vncvr@international.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/menu-en.asp


National Contact(s):
Regional Office Support Unit
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0G2
Telephone: 613-944-0300; 1-888-306-9991 (feedback line)
Toll-free (information): 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada)
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-9136
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/menu-en.asp