May is World Trade Month 2014

Happy World Trade Month!

For years, May has been the time to not only recognize the benefits of international trade, but also for organizations around the country to support more American companies competing overseas.

For the United States, the benefits of trade have been great, as have our successes. We recently announced that for the fourth straight year, the United States set a record for annual exports in 2013, at $2.3 trillion. That is a 40 percent growth in total exports since 2009.

Behind those exports are millions of well-paying American jobs – a record 11.3 million jobs to be exact. That number is an increase of 1.6 million from 2009.

As more American businesses compete and succeed in the global marketplace, the entire national economy reaps benefit.

Around the country, state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and private sector entities are supporting events to help more American companies engage in the global marketplace. We tip our hat to every organization throughout the country that is supporting world trade events this month and all year long.

Here are just a few of the events going on:

• May 1 and 2 is the first in a series of Discover Global Markets Forums, connecting U.S. business leaders to market specialists around the world;
• May 3-11 is National Travel and Tourism Week, recognizing the impact of this industry on U.S. exports;
• May 12-16 is National Small Business Week, honoring America’s entrepreneurs since 1963;
• May 15-23 is the Trade Winds – The Americas Mission, connecting U.S. businesses with opportunities in Central and South America;
• May 27 is our annual E-Awards presentation, recognizing companies and organizations for their work in expanding exports.

From Los Angeles to New York City, Montana to Alabama, trade-promotion seminars are connecting small companies to opportunities and helping get more business leaders involved in the global market.

We encourage small businesses to connect with events in their area to learn more about how engaging in the global marketplace can support your business! Contact your nearest Export Assistance Center to find events or to learn how you can tap into the 95 percent of global consumers who live outside the United States.

We also encourage you to follow the International Trade Administration on Twitter at @TradeGovwhere we will be highlighting many of the great events going on. Share pictures from your events and lessons learned using #WorldTradeMonth.

I’m very excited to celebrate World Trade Month with all of you!