Trade Mission Testimonials

Mexico Trade Mission 2018

Challenger Communications has benefited greatly from the opportunity of the GSGP Trade Mission Program. These missions help us to promote the Challenger brand and products to international prospects, as well as follow up with existing customers in those countries. The trade missions Challenger has experienced so far have been an invaluable opportunity to reinforce existing relationships and build new ones.

Jill Reshke
Challenger Communications
Albion, Michigan

I wish all trade missions would be as effective as the one in Mexico. I was very impressed with the caliber of companies I met with. The GSGP Mexico Trade Office did an excellent job assessing the companies that would be a perfect match for ETI.

Lyonel Coriolan
Emerging Technologies Institute
New York

This trade mission was extremely helpful to JSP America, especially being new to the country, culture and language. From the moment we touched down in Mexico City we were greeted by the driver & safely driven to the hotel. Every moment from then on we were  accompanied by the translator & the driver for the business appointments. All the business appointments were pre-arranged & the logistics were smooth. The entire trade mission staff were extremely friendly & helpful. We learned a lot as the result of this trade mission and are most definitely looking forward to joining another trade mission soon. Thank you so much!

Aaron Er
JSP America
New York

GSGP organizers and ground support team were knowledgeable. They were able to assist to navigate otherwise unclear market for our company due to security reasons. Our Sales VP who attended the event, was able to gain much greater understanding of the entertainment market in Mexico. He was able to meet with existing customers as well as potential new ones. The types of clients he met with ranged from distributors to end users to facilities. Each type of client was able to offer some insight into their segment which helped him form a better overall picture. Additionally, he was able to connect with other members of the mission and compare client visits and discuss their business opportunities. He also found the group dinners to be a particularly good time to share our backgrounds and new opportunities.

Motion Labs
New York

Germany and UK Trade Mission 2016

The Germany and UK trade mission in March 2016 was a great investment for our company.  The market research that was conducted on our behalf was very detailed and the match making appointments were well planned and productive in regards to finding suitable distributors for our products in Europe as well as learning more about the structure of the European packaging industry.

Ann Kirkwood-Hall, President
Bulman Products, Inc.
Grand Rapids, Michigan

This was our second trade mission to the UK and just as we experienced in the first mission, the quality of meetings, preparation of our hosts and climate created to establish long term business relationships was very successful.  Very impressive support from MEDC and from CGLSLGP!

Don Lowe, Sr. Vice President Sales
Peterson Spring
Southfield, Michigan

South America Trade Mission 2015

Thank you is not enough for the service, advice and counsel that the CGLSLGP Brazil team provided during our stay.  We are very excited for the future of IC3D in Brazil.  We know for sure that this is only the beginning of our relationship with the trade office.

Kimberly Gibson
IC3D Printers
Columbus, Ohio

I just wanted to send a note and tell you what a great job the Conference’s Brazil Trade Office did on the recent trade mission.  We uncovered well over $500,000 worth of potential business.  I couldn't have done it without the help of Vania, Claudia and Carolina. 

Steve Wolever, President and CEO
Signature Worldwide Business and Training Solutions
Dublin, Ohio

Mexico Trade Mission 2015

I would like to take a few minutes and thank you and reflect back on my week in Mexico.  I had an amazing experience that taught me about a whole new world.  While I have been running a successful company for the past 20 years the idea of growing globally was not something I really entertained.  From the moment I heard about this mission I was impressed.  Efren and Antonio were professional and caring  - a rare combination today!  I thoroughly enjoyed all the meetings and learned how to “pitch” my company.  Every meeting was productive and successful and I am confident that work will come from it.  We are in the process of the next steps and figuring out the logistics.

I am involved in many organizations and I must say this one was the best! Thank you a million times over for letting me be part of this experience.

Wendy Wollner
Balancing Lifes Issues
Ossining, New York

Having completed the first trade mission as a representative of our company, I wanted to thank everyone who worked so hard to put this trip together … it was amazing! 

The research beforehand was right on target for our products, the complicated logistics for many companies with diverse products and services were handled extremely well, even when last minute adjustments were needed for travelling to three large cities. I can’t possibly describe how impressed I was with everyone who worked on making this trip such a positive experience for helping our company meet potential business partners in Mexico. My congratulations and thanks go out to all of you for a job well done!

Diana Petranek
MiJET Division of Custom Service Solutions, Inc.
Brockport, New York

CGLG Colombia, Chile and Brazil Trade Mission 2013

“As a small business with limited resources and interest in exporting, we recently participated in the Latin America trade mission hosted by the CGLG. The mission was well planned out and we received assistance and guidance each step of the way.  Without knowing what to expect, we were extremely pleased with the results.  We had several viable appointments pre-arranged that were a perfect match for our company, and the resources of the interpreters and drivers were invaluable.  We are now working on the continued development of these relationships with the companies we met with and hope to be partnering with a few of them in the upcoming new year.

"We would highly recommend to any other small business looking to expand into international markets to take your first step by utilizing the resources of the CGLG.  The planning and expertise that they can provide is excellent and takes the worry out of international travel.  Without these resources, exportation of our products would have been a daunting and very slow process.  The CGLG staff is very accommodating and knowledgeable and a great resource for businesses operating in the Midwest.”

Mark and Lisa Friedrich
Coolant Express, Illinois

"I just returned from my Trade Mission and it was awesome!  The Council of Great Lakes Governors does a wonderful job! I wanted to thank everyone for an amazing experience for my first Trade Mission! Everything, in every aspect, went above and beyond my expectations including all of the staff and people that participated!  So, thank you!"

Brandon Lamoncha
Humtown Products
Columbiana, Ohio

"Our experience with the Mission to Columbia, Chile, and Brazil with the CGLG was a very positive experience. The pre-trip research was very good. Your team grasped our business quickly and provided good appointments. The trip was well organized from start to finish. I was able to establish two new distributors and have ongoing relations with several more excellent prospects. I have no doubt that our 2014 exports will increase as a result of this trip.

"Perhaps the most important benefit that I got out of this trip was the initiative to explore the South American Market. This is a trip I never would have made on my own, but now that the GLCG trip has opened the door I am much more confident and knowledgeable about growing our business in this region."

Thank you,

Rick Hatton
President
EL Hatton Company
Wellington, OH

"Industrial Door Co. Inc. is a 2nd generation family owned company.  We have two types of businesses.  One is an installation company that services and installs garage doors in the Twin Cities.  The second is a manufacturing company that makes springs for garage doors and related products.  We have three manufacturing facilities throughout the United States.

"The South America trip organized by the Council of Great Lakes Governors was simply outstanding.  All three South American countries we visited were very productive from a business stand point.  The potential customers that CGLG prequalified and set up for us to meet were exactly the type of customers we want to do business with.  As we visited these potential customers, the interpreters were very professional and smart.  In the short time we were with them, they picked up our industry lingo and knew our product very well.

The entire experience was nothing short of great!  We look forward to going on another trade mission trip in the future!"

Jeremy Sizer and Jodi Boldenow
Owners
Industrial Door Co. Inc

CGLG Australia Trade Mission 2013

"As an international business developer, I have worked with other US agencies for similar trade services.  I have to admit that this is by far the best experience I’ve had. I was very impressed by the thoroughness and enthusiasm in not leaving any stone unturned in pursuit of any potential opportunities for my company.  In all honesty, I was concerned about meetings schedule crossing the country.  However, the planned logistics were impeccable making my time in Australia both effective and efficient. I would with all confidence recommend both the Council of Great Lakes Governors and the CGLG Trade Office in Australia."

Nalex Cordova
Director – Sales & Marketing
Blair Rubber
Seville, Ohio

CGLG South Africa Trade Mission 2011

"The trade mission to South Africa sponsored by the CGLG and the State of Pennsylvania far exceeded my expectations.  When I thought the trip could not get any better, it did.  Itineraries were perfect and the trip was professionally managed down to the last detail.  All of my appointments were scheduled with companies that I actually have opportunities of receiving future business.  If all CGLG trade missions are conducted like this one, please let me know when I can join the next."

Jeff Kane
Sales and Marketing Manager
DFT, Inc.
Exton, Pennsylvania

CGLG South East Asia Mission 2012

“The trip was very well organized by the Council of Great Lakes Governors and Orissa International.  Even though I have been exporting motorcycles since 1993, surprisingly this was my first trip overseas, and I certainly feel that it was a great success for me and my company. In retrospect, I really could not have considered doing a trip like this without this type of support and local business development. And I realize that if I tried to plan a trip of this magnitude, I am certain that I would not have been as effective in planning, scheduling and contact development.”

Ray So
Cycle Search International
Columbus, Ohio

CGLG South America Trade Mission 2012

“I was thoroughly impressed with the overall excellence of the trip.  From the initial notification of the trip by Emily Tucker of the Ohio Department of Development through the extension of my stay in Brazil once there, the coordination and teamwork of those involved was exceptional.  The attention to detail allowed the purpose of my trip, to gain business opportunities, to remain the focus of my attention.  All travel requirements including proper governmental authorizations, hotels, transportation, translators, etc., were well-handled.

"Additionally, I have been very pleased with the amount and quality of the business leads provided.  Our company has quoted three projects in the week since my return and we are working with several principals in Brazil regarding distribution and/or joint venture opportunities.  I would highly recommend Council of Great Lakes Governors’ Trade Missions based on the relatively inexpensive costs, seamless travel planning and execution, and the excellent results obtained to date.”

Rob Dalton
General Manager
SAS Automation
Xenia, OH