Trades conference opens doors for businesses looking to U.S. markets.

• Author: Gouliquer, Dianne
• Position: Brief Article

Just weeks after the event wrapped up, organizers of this year's Northern Networks Trades Conference say at least one company is talking about developing international business ventures.

And others may follow. Getting people together to network and explore international business trade opportunities is the goal of the annual conference, Kallie Briggs of the International Falls Chamber of Commerce says.

This year, the event was held in International Falls, Minn. for two days starting Sept. 20 and attracted nearly 110 people.

"I was really pleased with the attendance," Briggs, the project co-ordinator for the event, says.

"Usually, the average attendance is about 125. This year, with the conference, we ran ... an economic development summit. It was the first time for that.

It was a really good mix between the economic developers and the business people."

Briggs says at least one company expressed to her an interest in pursuing some cross-border business ventures even before the three day conference concluded, and more may explore international trade and partnerships as a direct result of the conference.

"One (person) in particular said that he had already made two business ventures and would be following up on that," Briggs says. "I haven't heard of any (others) yet, but it usually takes some time.

"The idea is to get the people together and to assist them in finding out who the right people are to work with to do these business ventures."

Geoff Gillon, the community investment manager for the Rainy River Future Development Corp. in Fort Frances, attended the conference and says many "good discussions" came from the International Falls event.

"The most important thing that I see is that the conference was able to bring together people from the three different regions: Ontario, Minnesota and Wisconsin," he says.

"I think we had very good discussions, both from a community level and from the business level, on the opportunities for cross-border trade and/or co-operation and various...