Trade Mission to Canada
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Q:
What are the objectives of this trade mission?
A:
The objective for this trip is to arrange and conduct quality meetings between you, our VEDP client, and potential sales
partners (agents, representatives, or distributors) and/or customers in Canada. Our ultimate goal is for these meetings to help you
generate new sales for your company to customers in Canada and to provide you with market intelligence only attainable by an incountry visit. This trip will also benefit Virginia companies seeking to find additional Canadian sales partners or customers in Ontario
and Quebec.
Q:
A:
What are the dates?
The dates of the trade mission are: May 9 thru May 13, 2016
The deadline to register is March 11, 2016
Q:
What cities will be visited?
A:
We will visit Toronto(Ontario),Montreal(Quebec) and surrounding regions.
Q:
What is the schedule?
A:
The schedule is planned as follows, and is subject to change:
DATE
DAY
ACTIVITY
March 11, 2016
Friday
Last Day to Register
May 8, 2016
Sunday
All Virginia companies to arrive in Toronto
May 9, 2016
Monday
Individual Meetings in Toronto
May 10, 2016
Tuesday
Individual Meetings in Toronto
Wednesday
Individual Meetings in Toronto (a.m.only)
Train ride to Montreal- leave Toronto approximately at 5 p.m.
May 12, 2016
Thursday
Individual Meetings in Montreal
May 13, 2016
Friday
Individual Meetings in Montreal
May 14, 2016
Saturday
Return from Montreal to Virginia
May 11, 2016
Q:
How many Virginia companies will participate?
A:
The registration process is ongoing. Based on past trade missions, we expect 4 - 6 Virginia companies to participate.
Q:
What is the cost for my company to participate?
A:
You must pay the trade mission participation fee of $3,500 to the VEDP at the time of registration. The participation fee
includes the following:
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Briefing on “Doing Business in Canada”
Identifying, screening and pre-qualifying local distributors, reps and/or
making and organizing of meetings Canada
partners for your meetings – Match-
Welcome Reception and/or Dinner
In country transportation as a group
Meeting room facilities for individual meetings, if required
Closing Dinner
Post Mission follow up by CDA Market Services for 90 days
Additional estimated costs you will incur include (but are not limited to):
$800
Roundtrip airfare from Virginia to Toronto and Montreal and return coach class
$1000
$80
$400
$300
Hotels in Toronto and Montreal (3 nights in each location)
Train fare from Toronto to Montreal
Meals
Airport transfers, taxis, public transportation & other miscellaneous items
Q:
How are the meetings organized?
A:
The VEDP has engaged the services of CDA Market Services- Canadian Sales Channel Research and Economic
Representative- a highly qualified consulting firm, to identify, screen, and arrange meetings with potential partners for
each of our trade mission delegates. Ron Straatsma with CDA Market Services was selected through a competitive
bidding process and has demonstrated extraordinary expertise, enthusiasm and commitment to the work of introducing
Virginia companies to the Canadian market. CDA Market Services is a new consultant to the VEDP and has vast
experience in his field. You may find out more details about CDA Market Services by visiting their website at
http://cdamarket.ca/
In most cases, you will be traveling independently to the locations of the local companies with which you are meeting.
Because most appointments will be held at the companies’ locations, travel and other logistics may prevent each delegate
from having a minimum of 3‐4 meetings each day of the trade mission.
Q:
How will I get to my meetings?
A:
Both Montreal and Toronto have very good transit systems. You will be able to take public transit or taxi’s to scheduled
meetings within each city core. For meetings outside the core- it is advisable to rent a vehicle to attend these meetings.
We will recommend the best mode of transportation before travel occurs.
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Will I need an interpreter?
No, Canada is bilingual in both French and English. If an interpreter is needed
one can be arranged by the VEDP.
How are airline and hotel reservations handled?
Airline tickets: You book (and pay for) your own airline ticket via local travel agent or online air travel website. The
airport code for Toronto is YYZ. The airport code for Montreal Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport is YUL. If you do
not have a travel agent, the Trade Mission Leader can recommend one for you.
Hotels: VEDP will select a hotel and, if possible, arrange for a block of hotel rooms. We will all stay in the same hotel in
each city. Participants may be responsible for making their own hotel reservations using a group code provided by the
Trade Mission Leader. You will pay all hotel room charges directly to the hotel.
Hotels selected for our Trade Mission:
To be determined
Participants should plan the following as they organize their personal transportation:
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Arrive in Toronto on Sunday, May 8, 2016 and depart Montreal either on May 13th or May 14th, 2016.
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Purchase a train fare from Toronto to Montreal on Wednesday May 11, 2016.
Q:
A:
How can I verify that Canada is a good market for my company before we register for the trade mission?
Contact your local International Trade Manager or the Trade Mission Leader (see bottom of last page) immediately!
We only want you to make the trip if we think there is good market potential in Canada for your company. We can perform
exploratory market research within a short period of time to verify market potential for you. The more time you give us, the
better job we can do!
Q:
A:
What are the entry requirements for Canada? Will I need a passport or visa?
If you are a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Green card holder (i.e. Permanent U.S. resident) you will not need a visa, however a
passport is required. If you are not a U.S. Citizen or Green card holder, please check with the Canadian Embassy in
Washington, D.C.
Q:
A:
How do I register to participate?
You can register and pay the trade mission fee online. You may do this visiting the following page on our website:
http://exportvirginia.org/category/events/international-events/
For more information, contact the Trade Mission Leader:
Roger E Porter
International Trade Manager
540-387-2562
rporter@yesvirginia.org