A brief overview of the Trade Fair Certification Program. This information is taken from "A Basic Guide to Exporting" provided by the U.S. Commercial Service to assist U.S. companies in exporting.
Last Published: 10/20/2016
Trade Fair Certification Program (export.gov/eac/trade_events.asp)

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Trade Fair Certification (TFC) program is a cooperative partnership arrangement between private-sector show organizers and the U.S. government to increase U.S. exports and to expand U.S. participation in overseas trade shows. Through the U.S. Commercial Service, the program provides Department of Commerce endorsement, show-related services, oversight and coordination of event services, promotional support, exhibitor marketing facilitation, and in-country/show site assistance for private sector organizers to recruit and build a U.S. pavilion at selected foreign trade shows. These shows serve as a vital access vehicle for U.S. companies wishing to enter and expand their presence in foreign markets. The certified show/U.S. pavilion ensures a high-quality, multifaceted opportunity for American companies to successfully market overseas.

Benefits to U.S. exhibitors include:
  • Pre-show industry/country market briefing to U.S. exhibitors
  • One-on-one counseling for U.S. exhibitors covering such topics as:
    • Market overview, opportunities, challenges, entry strategies 
    • How to locate/use an agent or distributor
    • Direct sales and distribution channels
    • Joint ventures and licensing
    • Selling to a foreign government
    • Selling factors and techniques
    • Promotion, advertising, marketing
    • Protection of intellectual property rights (IPR)
    • Pricing strategies
    • Sales service and customer support
    • Due diligence, International Customer Profile (ICP)
    • Business/Cultural nuances and practices
    • Technical standards/documentation
  • Coordinating official military or other delegations of foreign buyers to visit U.S. exhibitors,  if applicable
  • Coordinating efforts of other U.S. government agencies at post to support the event
  • Working with the show/pavilion organizer to facilitate optimum space/services for  U.S. participants
  • Assisting U.S. exhibitors with protecting their (IPR) at the show
Each year the U.S. Department of Commerce certifies more than 100 events in more than 23 countries in a variety of industry sectors, including aerospace and defense; automotive; agribusiness; construction and design; cosmetics; energy; environmental products and services; information, computers, and telecommunications (ICT); marine technology; medical and dental equipment; safety and security; and travel and tourism.