Trade Missions
Southeast U.S. – Canadian Provinces (SEUS-CP) Annual Meeting and Procurement Conference
The Global Business team at the Alabama Department of Commerce, along with Export Alabama, is organizing a delegation to the SEUS-CP Conference in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, June 8-10, 2025.
This mission represents a key opportunity for Alabama exporters to strengthen their presence in Canada, one of the state’s largest and most important trading partners.
The SEUS-CP alliance, a strategic collaboration between Southeastern U.S. states and Canadian provinces, serves as a platform for fostering economic ties, expanding trade relationships, and exploring new business opportunities between the U.S. and Canada. This upcoming conference will offer Alabama businesses a chance to connect with Canadian companies, governmental organizations, and industry leaders through a business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking platform, creating direct pathways for trade and investment opportunities.
Canada is one of Alabama’s top international trading partners, with strong trade flows in sectors like aerospace, automotive, chemicals, advanced manufacturing, and agriculture. For Alabama exporters, the Canadian market offers numerous advantages, including proximity, a shared language and culture, and complementary industries that create natural synergies for cross-border business development.
In-Country Schedule
Sunday, June 8
Depart for St. John, New Brunswick
Welcome Reception
Monday, June 9
Opening Ceremony
Panel Sessions & Keynotes
Concurrent Pre-Arranged B2B Meetings
Evening Networking Event
Tuesday, June 10
Panel Sessions & Keynotes
Concurrent Pre-Arranged B2B Meetings
Closing Networking Event
Wednesday, June 10
Depart St. John for the United States
Participation Requirements/Conditions of Participation
All parties interested in participating in the trade mission must apply. All applicants will be evaluated on their ability to meet certain conditions and best satisfy the selection criteria as outlined below.
Selection Criteria:
- Suitability of the applicant’s products or services to the market.
- The applicant’s potential for business in the markets, including likelihood of exports resulting from the mission.
- The applicant’s ability to clearly state goals and objectives that fall within the stated scope of the mission.
- Responsiveness of the applicant and their ability to provide the necessary participating documentation.
Fees and Expenses
The participation fee to co-exhibit in the Made in Alabama booth at LIGNA is $6,000 for small- and mid-sized businesses (grant funding through the U.S. Small Business Administration may be available to eligible firms) and universities; and $7,500 for large firms. Economic development organizations and associations will have a participation fee of $1,500. Each additional representative from a participating firm is an additional $750. Expenses for travel, lodging, meals, and incidentals will be the responsibility of each mission participant. Interpreter and driver services for business appointments can be arranged for additional costs.
If a visa is required to travel on a particular mission, applying for and obtaining such a visa will be the responsibility of the mission participant. Instructions on the procedures required to obtain business visas will be shared with each participant.
Trade mission delegates participate in trade missions and undertake mission-related travel at their own risk. The nature of the security situation in each foreign market at a given time cannot be guaranteed. The U.S. Department of State issues U.S. Government international travel alerts and warnings for U.S. citizens available at https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html.
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