“Exporter of the Year” Award Nominations due Sept. 30

September 24, 2012 | The U.S Commerce department’s official export promotion magazine, Commercial News USA, is accepting nominations through Sunday, September 30th for the 2013 USA Exporter of the Year Awards.   Toys will be considered under the “Consumer Goods” category.

To be eligible for the award, companies must export from the U.S. Companies may nominate themselves; there is no cost to participate. 

Winners will be selected in each of the industry categories included in the magazine based on the following:

• the total number of documented export deals completed (in 2011)
• total percentage increase in sales (from 2010 to 2011)
• exports as a percentage of total sales
• the company’s commitment to exporting
• the company’s commitment to customer service
• the company’s innovation and originality in marketing products or services.

“Innovation, originality and quality are the calling cards of the toy industry,” said Marian Bossard, Toy Industry Association vice president of meetings and events.  “Fifteen percent of the exhibitors at Toy Fair actively promote their ‘Made in the USA’ products.   TIA is pleased to pass along this information about the opportunities for additional recognition of these manufacturers – and their products – by Commercial News USA and the U.S. Commerce Department.”

Retailers from more than 100 countries attended TIA’s American International Toy Fair in 2012 … contributing to the 5% increase in international participants.

“These retailers are keen to tap into the creative pulse of the North American marketplace,” added Bossard.

Exporter of the Year award winners will be recognized in a special section of Commercial News USA, a catalog-style magazine distributed to a quarter million international buyers in 178 countries and to 25,000 buyers a month online.  Winners will also have the opportunity to promote their products and services to international buyers in an online streaming media presentation.

The program is presented by ThinkGlobal, Inc., publisher of Commercial News USA. More information, including a nomination form, can be found online. Nominations may be submitted through September 30.