A group of people standing at a trade show

Target Sector Trade Show Grants

Showcase your business and products with Trade Show grants.

Florida Target Sector Trade Show Grants

Florida offers grants to help companies grow their export sales through overseas international trade shows.

SelectFlorida offers reimbursable Target Sector Trade Show Grants to help Florida small to medium-sized companies generate or increase their export sales overseas. Expanding into international markets can be vital to the success of a company’s growth strategy and studies demonstrate that companies with a significant international portfolio grow faster, are more profitable, and less susceptible to domestic downturns.

To help your company increase export sales and enter new global markets, SelectFlorida provides event-specific grants on a reimbursable basis to eligible manufacturers and select professional services providers in target sectors.  The grants can be used for trade shows on the SelectFlorida calendar of events, where SelectFlorida is organizing a Florida Pavilion, Florida Section, or has staff actively recruiting for and attending the event.

Find out where SelectFlorida is connecting exporters to some of the largest international trade shows in the world!

Please contact your local trade representative for more information and to receive the grant application.

Minimum Criteria

Minimum Criteria

All grant applicants must meet the minimum grant qualifications found here.

Grant-Specific Criteria

Grant-Specific Criteria

1. Applicant MUST be one of the following:*

a. New to show.

b. Second year participant (a company that was “new to show” the previous year of show).

c. Company has not participated in the previous three (3) years of the show or previous three bi-annual shows, as applicable.

*For events that rotate to different markets, please contact your regional trade manager.

2. Grants can only be used for trade shows that are currently on the SelectFlorida calendar of events, where SelectFlorida is organizing a Florida Pavilion, Florida Section, or has staff actively recruiting for and attending the event.

3. International trade exhibitions must be held outside the United States, including commonwealths and territories, and will be approved by SelectFlorida.

Costs Covered

Costs Covered

ONLY eligible trade show exhibition expenses will be covered, as determined by SelectFlorida.

Examples of eligible expenses  include, but are not limited to:

  • Trade show registration; raw booth space; rented furniture and accessories (chairs, tables, information counter, shelving, etc.); panel graphics; flooring; electric wiring; lighting; rented audio visual equipment, and Wi-Fi services.

Examples of ineligible expenses  include, but are not limited to:

  • Expenses related to travel; accommodations; shipping/freight; personnel; lead generation; direct mail campaigns, booth security, etc.
Reimbursement / Cost-Share Amount(s)

Reimbursement / Cost-Share Amount(s)

The reimbursement amount will adjust to 75% of select trade show booth costs, up to $5,000. Subject to the availability of grant funding.

Application Documents

Application Documents

The following documents will be required during the online application process:

1. Proof of company registration with Florida Division of Corporations from www.sunbiz.org.

2.  Proof of event registration that includes cost of basic turnkey booth package.

3. Proof of partial or full payment.

Reimbursement Documents

Reimbursement Documents

Grantees will be required to submit the following in order to receive reimbursement:

1. An invoice billing SelectFlorida for the grant award amount. Grant payments will only be issued via ACH.

2. Signed and dated IRS W-9 Form. W-9 must be dated within the last 24 months.

3. Proof of payment for all expenses submitted.

4. Completed Export Sales Report.

All grant reimbursement documents must be received by no later than August 30 of each year.

Number of Grants Allowed

Number of Grants Allowed

A company may receive a maximum of three trade grants each year  between July 1 to June 30 (SelectFlorida’s fiscal year), subject to the limitations below:

  • Export Marketing Plan – One per lifetime
Submission and Evaluation Process

Submission and Evaluation Process

Submission Process: Applicants must request from SelectFlorida an online Grant Application (“application”) and submit all required documentation at least 15-days prior to the start of the international trade event. Grants must be approved prior to the first day of the trade show or they will not be considered. No exceptions.

Evaluation Process: SelectFlorida staff will review all applications and make a determination regarding the applicant’s eligibility and grant award amounts within ten (10) days of receipt of application.

Noncompliance

Noncompliance

If the Grantee does not submit the invoice, receipts and Export Sales Report within thirty (30) calendar days after the end of the trade show, SelectFlorida reserves the right to cancel the grant award without reimbursement. If SelectFlorida learns that any of the information provided on the application is false, SelectFlorida has the right to cancel the reimbursement if not already paid, or require repayment of funds already disbursed.