Several Prince George companies are already operating across international borders. Some have foreign field offices and some have a customer base serviced from their local office. Initiatives Prince George is trying to expand that group of local companies enjoying international success. IPG is hosting the Regional Market Expansion Forum on Thursday to give local businesses a bigger window to the world.
"We have a lot of major industrial activity going on across the region, and if you are already set up to do business with Thompson Creek Metals at one of their mines, for example, you have already done most of preparations for selling to the world," said IPG's manager of business development Dave Jephcott. "With communications technology the way it is now, you can easily market yourself worldwide, and people anywhere in the world can make direct contact with you or order online."
Jephcott knows there are some practicalities involved in global exporting from Prince George. He and the IPG team are bringing in experts to break down the details. One of the special guests will be Brian Krieger, executive director of B.C.'s Export Development & Olympic Legacies department. Joining him will be representatives from the consul general of China and of the United States. Each will provide information, answer questions, and mingle during the networking portion of the event.
"It's impossible to measure the value of that networking opportunity, but how often does a P.G. firm get the chance to have a chat with the deputy consul general of the United States or China? Imagine what could come out of those conversations," Jephcott said.
Marketing to the world generates what is known in economic development parlance as "first dollar" sales. Instead of cycling money already in play in the local economy, this is new investment revenue. International money coming into the area then adds into the spinoff investments passed on by the local firm that attracted it. Initiatives Prince George CEO Heather Oland said improving the readiness of local companies to go global is a key ingredient to overall economic improvement for the Prince George region.
"This forum will feature keynote speaker Jim Bottomley, a consultant who has advised organizations in various sectors about planning for future success," said Oland. "His
speech will concentrate on how regional and local companies can improve their export readiness, focusing on the trends that are creating opportunities in Prince George and Northern BC. He will also examine regional cluster potential and provide lessons learned from other regions in their pursuit of regional collaboration and the attraction and creation of high-paying local jobs."
A number of local companies are already succeeding at expanding their operations and attracting outside investment in exchange for made-in-Prince George items. They include well known examples like the wood products of most local mills; mobile mining services companies; intellectual products from UNBC, CNC and School District 57; Pacific Western Brewing's drinks; Winton Global's prefabricated homes; snowshoes made at IRL Supplies; SparkGeo's and Terra Cognita's software services; horses from the B.C, Appaloosa Centre; industrial automation and electrical controls by 3 Phase Power Systems; massive industrial applications by WolfTek Industries, Bid Group, and SIMS Group; bridge building done by Ruskin Contracting; and beef from local cattle ranches.
The permits, paperwork and protocols of moving product to the world will be on the table for discussion.
For those firms who have global aspirations, but want to walk before they run, the Regional Market Expansion Forum will also have a component on major industry procurement. Representatives from a wide range of industrial sectors will gather on stage to discuss how they purchase goods and services on large and small scales.
"What prequalifications do you need? What programs or protocols do you have to have in place? What standards does your company need to exhibit, in order to be a vendor to these companies?," Jephcott said, outlining some of the initial hurdles. "We worked hard to build a cross-sectional panel to touch on as many opportunities out there as we can."
The Regional Market Expansion Forum is from 4 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. at the Ramada Hotel, and will include a meal, cash bar and informal networking session. Pre-registration is strongly recommended via http://regionalmarketexpansion.eventbrite.com.
