The trade promotion unit of the U.S. government  has stepped up efforts to drive international buyers to the SEMA Show.

U.S. Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary Rochelle Lipsitz, recently named acting director general of the Commerce Department’s U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, recently visited SEMA headquarters to announce increased efforts by the trade promotion unit of the U.S. government to drive international buyers to the SEMA Show/Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW).

The SEMA Show/AAIW is certified by the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) as a participant in the International Buyer Program (IBP). As part of this partnership, U.S. embassies around the globe recruit qualified international buyers to attend the SEMA Show.

In 2008, the U.S. government organized 40 buyer delegations from key global markets. This year the DOC hopes to increase the number of buyers attending the Show, particularly from key overseas markets with the greatest potential for SEMA members.

These targeted markets include historically-important European, Canadian and Mexican markets, as well as emerging markets in the United Arab Emirates and other Middle Eastern countries, Latin America, Russia and China.

For more information on growing international sales, contact Linda Spencer or visit www.sema.org/international.