Montréal, February 26, 2016 – The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and its team of international trade experts, the World Trade Centre Montréal, have successfully concluded a fifth fashion industry trade mission to New York, accompanied by a group of Québec designers for the Moda trade show. This trade mission, carried out jointly with the Québec Government Office in New York and with the financial support of Export Québec, a unit of the Ministère de l’Économie, de la Science et de l’Innovation, gave participants a chance to present their collections and benefit from a great deal of visibility, reinforce their presence in the Big Apple – one of the world fashion capitals – or make their first foray into this market.
“For a fifth consecutive trade mission, we are proud to see companies return from New York with concrete results,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade. “The 10 participating companies had over $370,000 in sales, along with over $300,000 in potential sales in just a few days. And these initial sales could lead to more contracts in the future.”
“The New York fashion industry is a hard market to break into, but it’s the North American city where local businesses must have a presence,” Michel Leblanc said. “Often what is needed is ground-laying work that pays off in the long term and that requires a repeated presence on the market before achieving conclusive results. Our trade missions maximize visibility for Montréal businesses and contribute to their growth. It is because of concrete results like these that this trade mission generates increasing enthusiasm from local businesses year after year.”
“This fashion industry trade mission is the fruit of a longstanding dynamic partnership between the Québec Government Office in New York and the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal,” said Jean-Claude Lauzon, General Delegate for Québec in New York. “Over the years, it has become essential for Québec businesses and for showcasing local creativity. It is in all of our interests to see this type of initiative continue, because perseverance and presence are the two essential factors for breaking into the American market.”
“New Yorkers know the players in Québec fashion and are eager for that touch that differentiates us from American companies,” said Renée Therrien, Director of Public Affairs for Simon Chang, who often takes part in Moda Manhattan, but for whom this was the first trade mission with the Board of Trade. “It was a great show that could lead to benefits for us in the coming months. It is important that all players from the sector in Québec work together during trade missions abroad and that they distinguish themselves from others by being part of a greater whole.”
“It is important to take part in these trade shows,” said Valery Geoffroy, owner and designer at Furlux, for whom this was also a first trade mission. “You need to take risks to get rewards, and if you don’t leave home, you can’t see what is going on beyond your borders. It gave me ideas, and I hope it will pay off in the long term. I met interesting people, including someone who may help me manufacture coats. I am glad I took part. Overall, it was a great experience.”
The ten companies who attended Moda as part of this trade mission were:
- Angela Mara
- Capital Garment
- Crystal Fashions
- Dino Gaspari
- Furlux
- Libra
- Myco Anna
- Scapa Lauren Perre
- Simon Chang
- Vin Rouge
About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of over 7,000 members. Its mission is to be the voice of Montréal’s business community and to promote the city’s prosperity. It is involved in key areas of economic development, advocating a philosophy of action based on engagement, credibility, proactivity, collaboration, and innovation. The Board of Trade also offers a range of specialized services to individuals and to businesses of all sizes to support them in their growth at home and abroad.
About Exporting Assistance Service
The Exporting Assistance Service, offered by the Board of Trade’s team of experts in international trade, the World Trade Centre Montréal, is made possible through the financial support of Export Québec, a unit of the Ministère de l’Économie, de la Science et de l’Innovation as a regional export promotion organization (ORPEX).
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Source:
Guillaume Bérubé
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Phone: 514 871-4000, extension 4042
gberube@ccmm.qc.ca
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