Enterprise Florida-led marine shows help companies succeed 

TALLAHASSEE, FL (April 8, 2014) – Today, Secretary of Commerce and president & CEO of Enterprise Florida (EFI), Gray Swoope, touted the success of Florida’s marine companies during recent international trade shows. Over the last nine months, EFI has led small Florida companies to three major marine trade shows around the world. Total projected sales as reported by those companies total more than $60.5 million.

“Florida has a very strong base of established marine companies,” said Secretary Swoope. “Through Target Sector Trade Event Grants, EFI is able to assist Florida companies in marine-industry trade events. Part of our mission is to promote our target sectors all over the world, and trade shows allow Florida companies in those sectors to grow through export sales. We want to help them continue their success.”

Recreational boating had a $10.3 billion impact in Florida in 2012, more than any other state. With 1,200 miles of coastline, 12,000 miles of rivers and streams, and 3 million acres of lakes and ponds, Florida is naturally suited to support marine activities. Millions of Florida residents and visitors fish and boat in Florida’s waters, cruise from Florida’s shores, and buy or sell goods shipped through Florida ports each year. These marine activities play a significant role in Florida’s economy.

EFI maintains an extensive schedule of overseas trade missions and exhibitions worldwide. In 2013, EFI hosted 40 domestic and overseas events with 912 companies Florida small businesses generating more than $775 million in total projected export sales.

Total projected sales from recent EFI international boat shows include:

• Cannes International Boat Show, France: Seven Florida companies reported projected export sales of more than $5 million.
• METSTRADE (METS), Amsterdam: 10 Florida companies that exhibited at the world’s largest marine trade show reported projected export sales of more than $49.5 million.
• Dubai International Boat Show, Dubai: Eight Florida companies reported more than $6 million in total projected sales. 

Companies that attended the trade shows with EFI include:

• Aere Docking Solutions – Coral Springs
• Armstrong Nautical – Stuart
• Bluewater International Yacht and Ship – Ft. Lauderdale
• Chris Craft Corporation – Sarasota
• Frigibar – Miami
• Handcraft Mattress Company – Ft. Lauderdale
• Lumitec Lighting – Delray Beach
• Marlow Hunter LLC – Alachua
• Miller-Leaman, Inc. – Daytona Beach
• Nautical Structures – Largo
• Novurania – Vero Beach
• Palladium Technologies, Inc. – Ft. Lauderdale
• Pompanette Marine – Tampa
• RSM International Inc. (Bob’s Machine Shop) – Tampa
• Safety First Diving – Pompano Beach
• SeaStrike Marine – Sebastian
• SeaSucker – Palmetto
• Seatorque Control Systems – Stuart
• Short Block Technology, Inc. – Clearwater
• SPURS Marine Manufacturing – Ft. Lauderdale
• Underwater Lights USA – Ft. Lauderdale
• World Panel Products – Palm Beach 

Vice President of SPURS Marine Manufacturing, Chris Jones said, “SPURS Marine found METS to be a valuable tool with regards to establishing and maintaining relationships with our international accounts. Enterprise Florida is a contributing factor in reaching these accounts because of Florida’s presence in the USA Pavilion. Without the grant funding it would not have been possible for our company to participate in METS 2013. Being a small American manufacturer, we find it difficult to attend all of the shows we’d like. We are really trying to get a full global exposure of our product since the future of our business relies heavily on exporting. We are thankful for these grant opportunities and hope they can continue well into the future.”

Chris Craft’s Director of International Dealer Development, Bastien Bonnet said, “We are very pleased with the second edition of the Cannes Boat Show. We increased our sales and the number of leads we received from the show. We want to bring more boats next year and the grant from EFI was very helpful, and we hope to receive the same support for next year’s edition.”

Vice President of Palladium Technologies, Karen Dudden-Blake said, “METS always brings us great visibility and recognition. We are currently looking at hiring another software engineer and more installation techs which will help us with the projects that have been generated at the show. The grant from EFI enabled us to increase our booth staff and participate at the global super-yacht forum which draws even more customers to our booth.”

Florida’s marine resources are a vital economic development asset. Florida’s seaports enable major international trade flows and position the state as a hub for global commerce. Florida’s recreational boaters support a range of economic activities, from the operation of marinas to high end manufacturing.

International trade proved, once again, to be one of the state’s strongest sectors in 2013, even with the economic challenges that affected global trade. Total merchandise trade (exports plus imports) reached $158.4 billion. Florida has a number of strengths to leverage, including one of the fastest-growing international economies, strong air and seaport infrastructure, and a large and well-qualified multicultural workforce. Learn more about Enterprise Florida’s export assistance programs.

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Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida’s businesses and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida.  EFI facilitates job growth for Florida businesses through recruitment and retention, international trade and exporting, promotion of sporting events, and capital funding programs to assist small and minority businesses.

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