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Three Benefits of Attending the 2013 Nogales Supplier Expo
Last month I was one of over 150 suppliers at the Nogales Supplier Expo in Nogales, Mexico. This is the third year for this supplier expo and it was by far the best one. This is my second year having a booth there, and I am already making plans to have a booth again next year!
1) This expo is always a great opportunity to meet and reconnect with others in the industry. I was blessed to see some of my friends that I have met over the past two years traveling to Mexico and also building some great new friendships. As I have shared in the past…I do not speak any Spanish; however, I’m starting to learn. Anyway, everyone that I have met has been very welcoming and helpful!
2) I am learning and reading about the State of Sonora. The more I learn, the more I am falling in love with it. The land is beautiful, the economy is making strong advancements, the business opportunities are growing and I am realizing actual business. And of course, most important are the amazing people!
I left Phoenix on Thursday Morning and got to the border around 10:30 A.M. Luckily, there were no lines. It took less than 10 minutes to get all the way through the border area. I like to travel through the Mariposa border crossing, where the trucks pass through, because I find this to be the quickest option. This trip I needed to get a new six month business Visa since my last one expired in July. So I drove in about 15 miles on I-15 heading to Hermosillo where I purchased the Business Visa (which only took 10 minutes) For anyone reading this who is looking to do business in this area, you typically need a this visa to get into the Business Industrial Parks. It costs about $30.00.
After I got some lunch in Nogales, Mexico, I arrived at the Master Lock building around noon. Then on Thursday I set up my booth at the Expo, which costs only costs $300 and included a 10 x 10 booth, a table, two chairs, 2 lunch tickets and free WiFi access. I believe this is a great value!
On Thursday night I stayed at the Fiesta Inn & Suites in Nogales, Mexico. I like the hotel, the restaurant had good food, and most importantly, the bed was awesome!
3) While there, a number of the exhibitors stopped by my booth. Some were trying to sell me their products and services. Some were interested in understanding more about my company. There were a couple of exhibitors that it seems I will be able to build a partnership with. I had about a dozen people stop by that were interested specifically in my blades and another handful of people interested in stamping dies and mold repair. There was a pretty good mix of companies that stopped by. Since the expo is open to anyone, the exhibitors range from telephone companies, health care products, industrial supply companies, logistics, and manufacturers. So the attendees also vary on what their needs are and what they are looking for. I was also honored to have the Sonora Director of the Economy stop by my booth and greet me!
The Expo opened at 8am and went until 6pm. Around mid-afternoon there was a heritage dance performed and a group of singers. I really enjoyed watching the performances. Then around 5pm, some of the exhibitors started packing up their booths.
After the Expo was over and I had taken down my booth it was about 6:20pm on Friday night. I took the Mariposa border crossing and I was back in the U.S. by 6:40pm. I thought that was pretty fast for a Friday night.
My next trip to Mexico is scheduled for November 6th through November 9th. I plan to stop in Nogales, both Arizona and Sonora, and travel to Hermosillo. Let me know if you would like me to stop and visit your shop. I would love to meet with you and continue creating meaningful relationships in the area as I continue to learn more about it.
This trip was another great opportunity to build my company brand and presence within Mexico. I look at this as a lifetime process of building friendships!
Until next time…Jeff
Related Posts by JWB Manufacturing
Read more about Jeff’s experience at the Maricopa Association of Governments Bi-National Economic Forum in our blog post A Small Business with Big Visions.
Read more about Jeff’s visit to Hermosillo in December 2012 in our blog post A Warm Welcome, A New Language, and Export Opportunities: A Business Trip to Mexico.
Have any tips or experiences you’d like to share about doing business in another country? Have you attended this expo in the past? Please leave a comment below and join the conversation!