ISTEP Trade Missions
The Illinois Office of Trade and Investment (OTI) continues to actively offer opportunities to Illinois businesses interested in developing and growing their international sales. In this time of decreased international travel, OTI offers qualified Illinois firms virtual platforms to meet with interested foreign buyers. This section is updated regularly as OTI confirms participation to virtual trade shows.
IE Expo | Shanghai, China (Virtual) | April 20–22, 2021
As Asia's leading environmental show, IE Expo China offers an effective business and networking platform accompanied by a first-class technical-scientific conference program. IE Expo China 2021 will provide a hybrid mode with an in-person and a virtual show.
Contact: Mary Ma | maryma@ilchinaoffice.com
Collision | Toronto, Canada (Virtual) | April 20–22, 2021
Collision is one of the world's biggest tech conferences. There will be 40,000 attendees; 800+ investors, 800+ speakers; 1,000+ start-ups, 1,000+ journalists and 140+ countries represented. You will have the opportunity to network with peers in the tech industry, learn through Collision's online content and generate leads to grow your company.
Contact: Chris Sedgwick | chris.sedgwick@illinois.gov | 312-204-9480
Middle East and North Africa Multisector | Virtual | June 7–10, 2021
This virtual trade mission will concentrate on three specific sectors: Medical Equipment & Pharmaceutical Products, Processed Foods, and Environmental and Water Technologies. The countries targeted in the mission will include Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Participating companies will be set up with B2B appointments with importers, distributors and potential partners in the region.
Contact: Sam Ntum | sam.ntum@illinois.gov | 312-520-3792
China Aid | Shanghai, China (Virtual) | June 7–10, 2021
The UN projects that China's senior population (60+) will reach 438 million by 2050, roughly a third of the total population. As such, the Chinese senior care market is expected to grow to $1.85 trillion by 2030. China Aid is the ideal venue to tap into this growing market.
Contact: Mary Ma | maryma@ilchinaoffice.com
Mobile World Congress | Barcelona, Spain | June 28–July 1, 2021
Mobile World Congress is the world's largest annual gathering for the mobile communication and information technology industry. In 2019, 2,400 exhibitors and over 107,000 attendees from 200 countries attended the show. This trade show presents a unique opportunity for Illinois' companies that manufacture mobile information and communication technology components and devices, as well as systems, applications and software developers to launch new products to a global audience.
Contact: Iwona Bochenska | iwona.bochenska@illinois.gov | 312-519-4981
Africa Multisector | Virtual | Nigeria & Ivory Coast: July 6, 2021 | Senegal: August 2, 2021
Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa (over 200 million people) and the largest economy on the continent with a vibrant and growing middle class that has an increasing appetite for U.S. goods and services. With a population of 25 million, Ivory Coast is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, averaging 8% growth annually from 2012-2017. Senegal has enjoyed one of the highest GDP growth rates in the 15-member ECOWAS over the last five years, with sustained economic growth rates averaging 6.5% from 2014 through 2019. Senegal aims to boost sustained and inclusive growth through economic reforms and private-sector driven investment projects. B2B appointments will be conducted by the U.S. Commercial Service and U.S. Embassy with local importers, distributors and partners in the region.
Contact: Sam Ntum | sam.ntum@illinois.gov | 312-520-3792
India Multisector | Virtual | July 27–28, 2021
As one of the world's largest and fastest-growing countries, India offers enormous opportunities for U.S. exporters. Success in this vast, diverse market requires long-term planning and a state-by-state strategy to adapt to the complexities and diversity of the market. Despite its challenges, India is a high-performance economy offering many possibilities to Illinois companies.
Contact: Lauro Arias | lauro.arias@illinois.gov | 312-848-7580
