“The UK, Netherlands, Czech Republic are here.” 

Those are just a few of the countries that attended Tuesday’s “Bringing the World to Pennsylvania” conference.  According to Tina Taylor, who is the international trade manager for Southern Alleghenies, 18 local companies met with authorized trade representatives from overseas.

“They have the opportunity to sit down one-on-one and talk to these Pennsylvania authorized trade representatives, who are contracted by the state of Pennsylvania, to assist companies in developing business in international markets.”

Philip Fuller is with the Cambria County Association for the Blind and Handicap and came to the conference.
The non-profit association, which employs 250 people, each with some type of disability, currently markets in 25 foreign countries.

“We’re just trying to expand that.  What you take away from this is you have a good relationship now with the representatives of that country,” Fuller said.

Fuller added it’s an opportunity for them to expand their products abroad at a low cost, “What they do is promote our products where it’s hard for us to reach via email or phone.”  

The companies discussed their products and services with representatives to see if they are viable in international markets.  The goal, according to organizers, is to create and retain jobs in Pennsylvania.

“So while those companies may have domestic fulfilled and maxed out their products in domestic markets, this allows them to give additional markets to be sold into and expand their business,” Taylor said.