Ed. note: This post is part of a series highlighting the upcoming Hannover Messe Trade Show April 25—29, 2016. This series will highlight U.S. exhibitors that will participate in the world’s leading trade fair for industrial technology.

Guest blog post by William Marshall, Senior Marketing Manager at Louisiana Economic Development

This is your first time at Hannover Messe. What factors influenced your decision to participate this year?

Hannover Messe is an ideal venue for Louisiana Economic Development (LED) to interact with companies in its target industries, especially the manufacturing and technology sector, and share Louisiana's story abroad. The sheer size of the event, the quality and breadth of attendees, and Germany's important position as one of Louisiana's key markets all influenced our decision to attend this important event.

Why is the Investment pavilion a natural home for you?

Because the United States is the designated partner country for this year's event, there will be an increased focus on the US and its 50 states. We hope to leverage this excitement and the incredible resources provided by the Messe and the US Department of Commerce to focus attention on Louisiana's favorable business climate and its surprising diversity of international businesses.

What do you hope to accomplish at Hannover Messe?

Our hope is to raise global awareness about Louisiana and its many unique regions and assets; connect directly with business interested in relocating to or expanding in Louisiana; and, ultimately, promotes foreign direct investment (FDI) in and trade with Louisiana.

When and how did your organization enter the global marketplace? With what countries or markets are you currently engaged?

Due to it's position at the confluence of the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico - a major historical crossroads of European, Caribbean, and Native American populations - Louisiana has long been involved in international trade. In recent history, this internationalism has manifested itself through deep trade ties to Latin America and heavy investment from Europe, Asia, and Africa, all of which has made Louisiana the number-one destination state for FDI on a per capita basis since 2008. To strengthen these connections, Louisiana Economic Development recently established representation in nine strategic markets: Canada, China, Germany (including Austria & Switzerland), Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.

What impact has this had on your organization or region? What advice do you have for other American organizations looking at the global market?

Louisiana's international ties - both past and present - are fundamental to its identity. These influences are part and parcel of the unique cultural "gumbo" that made Louisiana the birthplace of jazz and Cajun cuisine and continues to make Louisiana hospitable to new people, foreign companies, and innovative ideas. Furthermore, recent data on cross-border investment supports the notion that with the continued growth of countries like China and India, a growing share of investment and trade will originate with our friends abroad.