The American Dental Association’s Annual Session is among 36 U.S. exhibitions selected to participate in the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Buyer Program, an initiative designed to stimulate U.S. exports by promoting exhibitions to international markets.

Through its inclusion in the program, the ADA could attract around 500 international buyers to the annual session. Exhibitors at ADA’s 2008 Annual Session, to be held October 16 to 19 in San Antonio, will be included in a directory that’s shared with international buyers. Also, there will be an International Business Center on site at the meeting, staffed by U.S. Commercial Service agents, where interested exhibitors can meet privately with prospective international buyers, says Barry.

“The association's involvement in the International Buyer Program presents an excellent business opportunity for the U.S. dental industry to meet, network, and develop business partnerships with international buyers, sales representatives, and strategic partners,” says Michael Barry, manager, international business and communications, Center for International Development and Affairs at Chicago-based ADA. This is the second time that ADA has been part of the program.

For ADA, the program could help boost the number of exhibitors and attendees. “However,” says Barry, “the main intent is to give ADA exhibitors a value-added service and attract more international buyers to meet with these U.S. companies interested in exporting.”

Overall, the program recruits more than 125,000 international buyers to attend 36 U.S. exhibitions each year, selected annually by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Along with ADA, other shows in the International Buyers Program in 2008 include the Consumer Electronics Show, International Builders Show, International Home and Housewares Show, National Association of Broadcasters, Waste Expo, American Association for Clinical Chemistry, and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.