The International Trade Administration is accepting applications for the International Buyer Program (IBP) for trade events taking place between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016.  Details regarding the application, eligibility, participation requirements, and selection process are provided in the Federal Register Notice below.  The deadline for applying to the International Buyer Program for 2016 events is less than three weeks away, on Monday, December 22, 2014.

To be considered for the 2016 IBP, applicants need to submit a completed application form via courier service (i.e. FedEx, UPS) to the IBP office.  Facsimile and email applications will be accepted as interim applications, and must be followed by signed original applications that are to be received no later than 5 business days after the application deadline.  There is no fee to apply.

However, a participation fee will be required if accepted into the program.

Should the applicant be accepted into the program, a signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) along with an applicable program fee will be required within 30 days of the written notification of acceptance into the 2016 IBP.  A sample MOA is provided through the link below for reference purposes only.  The MOA outlines the terms of participation that accepted applicants must commit to if accepted into the program.  The Federal Register Notice sets forth objectives, procedures and application review criteria associated with support for domestic trade shows by the IBP.

The IBP expects to issue the results of this process in April 2015.

Please contact IBP2016@trade.gov with any questions regarding the application process.

What is the IBP? 

The International Buyer Program (IBP) is a joint government-industry effort that brings thousands of international buyers to the United States for business-to-business matchmaking with U.S. firms exhibiting at major industry trade shows. Every year, the IBP results in millions of dollars in new business for U.S. companies, and increased international attendance for participating U.S. trade show organizers.