Virginia trade mission to Europe aims to boost state’s manufacturing, agriculture, seafood

Today, April 23rd, Governor Terry McAuliffe and officials from his administration will depart for a trade and marketing mission to Europe to attend Hannover Messe in Germany, the world’s largest industrial fair, and conduct several meeting in Belgium and the United Kingdom.

During the weeklong mission, the Governor and Virginia delegation will conduct more than 40 economic development and export promotion meetings in an effort to bring new jobs and economic activity to the Commonwealth.

“Trade and marketing missions are a critical component of Virginia’s aggressive and proactive approach to economic development,” the governor was quoted as saying. “Leading these missions provide the best opportunity to personally convince corporate leaders to invest in Virginia and bring jobs back for our citizens.  Missions also give me the ability to promote first-hand our world-class products and increase exports from Virginia.  Growing the advanced manufacturing industry, meeting job creators and economic decision-makers here and abroad and telling them the Virginia story in person is critical to building the new Virginia economy.”

The Governor, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore, along with officials from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), and Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office, will meet with business and government officials in Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.

During the trip, the Governor will attend Hannover Messe, where he and the Virginia delegation will meet with manufacturing industry representatives from around the world to discuss economic development opportunities in the Commonwealth and solidify Virginia’s position as a national leader in advanced manufacturing. 

In 2015, about 6,500 exhibitors from 70 countries participated in Hannover Messe, with more than 220,000 visitors.

In 2016, according to the news release, the United States is the partner country for the first time and VEDP has organized a Virginia exhibit booth in the SelectUSA Pavilion. 

Several Virginia companies across multiple sectors will be exhibiting at Hanover Messe to promote their products to international customers as part of VEDP’s State Export Promotion grant through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

In addition to one-on-one business meetings, the Governor will host a reception to showcase Virginia’s economic development strengths, its advanced manufacturing assets, Virginia products and great quality of life to prospective corporate investors.

In addition to Hannover Messe, Governor McAuliffe, Secretary Haymore, and representatives from VDACS will conduct a series of meetings with current and potential investors and buyers in Germany, Belgium, and London related to various Virginia agricultural and forestry products including wine, craft beer, specialty food, lumber, and biomass.

While in Belgium, Governor McAuliffe also will attend the Seafood Expo Global, the largest seafood trade show in the world, to promote Virginia’s diverse seafood industry, the nation’s third largest seafood producer.