VALET Program Graduates Expand International Sales Networks

--Companies’ commitment to export yields 23 new overseas sales relationships --

 

RICHMOND – The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced that eight Virginia companies were selected to participate in the state’s two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. Launched in January 2002, the program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy. Mark Kilduff, Executive Director of the VEDP, spoke to the new and graduating classes at the welcome event in Richmond today. Seven companies successfully completed the program.

 

The VALET program incorporates services from VALET Program Partners, a team of experienced international service providers who assist the VALET companies with their international goals. Service providers such as attorneys, web designers, bankers, translators and freight-forwarders contribute essential skills for expansion into international markets. The following 23 companies are VALET Program Partners:

 

Company

Product/Industry

Location

ActiveMedia

Web marketing and promotions

Great Falls

Allegheny Brokerage Company

Export control compliance/customs brokerage/forwarding

Dublin

BB&T

Financial services

Richmond

Bank of America

Financial services

Richmond

China Channel Limited

Approaches to seeking business in China

Petersburg

CV International

Ocean/air freight forwarder/transportation provider

Norfolk

Diversified Distribution, Inc.*

Value-added distribution and logistics services

Martinsville

ExactLingua, L.L.C.*

Multi-language translation and interpretation services

Williamsburg

FOCUS Enterprises, Inc.

Corporate development, finance and growth consulting

Washington, DC

The Global Law Group

Legal services

Roanoke/Richmond

The Language Group

Translation/interpretation

Virginia Beach

Lasa Monroig & Veve

Legal services

Washington D.C.

LeClair Ryan

Legal services

Richmond

Marsh USA, Inc.

Insurance

Richmond

People Going Global

Cross-cultural training

Alexandria

Piascik & Associates

Certified Public Accountants

Glen Allen

SunTrust Bank

Financial services

Richmond

TNB Language Services

Language translation, interpretations, situation and cultural training

Roanoke

Trade Show Training, Inc. 

Trade show planning

Richmond

Transition Success Consulting

Cross-cultural education and training

Alexandria

UTi, United States

Freight forwarding/customs/

International transportation/logistics/warehouse and supply chain management

Sterling

Virtual Strategies, Inc.

Corporate development consulting

Washington, D.C.

Williams Mullen

Legal services

Richmond

 

* New Program Partner, July 2005

 

            The VALET program was recognized as a national model in November 2004 by the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships (NCPPP) for VALET’s innovation in bringing the public and private sectors together to achieve a benefit for the public. The VALET program was the only winner of the 2004 NCPPP Public-Private Partnership Award in the Innovation category.

 

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, a marketing organization, was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995 to encourage, stimulate, and support the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth. The Partnership is a state authority, which is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor. To accomplish its objectives of promoting economic expansion within the Commonwealth, the Partnership focuses its efforts on business recruitment, expansion and international trade. VEDP has offices in Virginia, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, Brazil, Korea and Japan.

           

            To learn more about the VALET program, visit www.ExportVirginia.org.