Shine a spotlight on your country
The International Trade Centre (ITC) has announced that bids to host the 2012 Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) Network World Conference and Awards are being accepted until 1 October 2010. By submitting a proposal to host the event, a national TPO will be bidding for an opportunity to showcase its organization and its country.
‘Hosting the TPO World Conference and Awards is an effective way to shine a spotlight on the national TPO and its important contribution to economic growth in the country by assisting companies to expand internationally,’ said ITC Executive Director Patricia Francis.
The TPO Network World Conference and Awards is held every two years. As the international networking event of these organizations, it is hosted by TPOs for TPOs, in conjunction with ITC. The TPO Network World Conference brings together more than 150 participants from TPOs, governmental and private business support organizations, related government ministries with responsibility for trade, regional trade promotion organizations, and international and national development agencies interested in trade capacity development.
The TPO Network World Conference and Awards is an opportunity for practitioners and professionals to share experiences and best practices. It also seeks to strengthen the linkages among participants so that they can explore ways to cooperate. The awards recognize and celebrate excellence in trade support services.
‘TPOs play a vital role in ensuring that companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, get the support they need to remain competitive in today’s constantly changing – and very challenging – global trade environment,’ added Ms Francis. ‘This 9 th TPO Network World Conference will focus on ways that TPOs, under pressure during the economic crisis, can demonstrate the value they deliver in driving economic development and growth.’
Hosting the TPO Network World Conference and Awards is open to all national TPOs. To qualify, an organization must demonstrate that it has been legally mandated and officially recognized by the national government to carry out trade promotion activities. A bid may be made in an alliance with a number of partners, but the winning TPO is responsible and accountable for the hosting activities and is considered by ITC as the official host.
All bids will be announced at a plenary session during the 8th
TPO Network World Conference and Awards, hosted by ProMéxico in Mexico City, 14–15 October 2010. Each bidder will make a presentation, followed by a secret ballot vote open to all conference participants. The winner will be announced during the closing ceremony.