Northwest Aerospace News August | September 2020 | Page 57

WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
“The STEP Voucher grant program
has allowed Silicon Forest Electronics
to play on the world stage
of aviation. The grant created an
affordable opportunity for a small
company to participate in the Farnborough
Air Show and the Paris Air
Show. Neither would have been
feasible without the STEP grant
support. As a result, we created an
international marketing and sales
presence. Our international business
has increased from zero to five percent
of our total revenues with many
more prospects in the wings.”
– Frank Nichols, CEO,
Silicon Forest Electronics
Like IDEA International and Silicon
Forest Electronics, your company should
take advantage of the STEP grant to
increase your global exposure. Here are
a few ways you can use Export Vouchers
for your own export initiatives:
INTERNATIONAL E-MARKETING
(Capped at $6,000)
Optimize your website, search engine
strategy or localization, or offset
costs related to digital collateral,
virtual factory tours and demos (prior
SBA approval needed).
BUSINESS MATCHMAKING
Partner searches, lead generation and
virtual matchmaking in advance of
attending international trade events.
Our trade experts will work with you
to identify prospective customers
and partners and set up opportunities
to meet with key decision-makers.
Current active markets are Europe,
China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Mexico,
India and the Gulf Region.
AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2020 ISSUE NO. 16 57