Leveraging US Embassy Support for Key Connections in Spain

Madrid, Spain

​High Impact Technology, LLC (HIT) completed the last phase of a Gold Key Service (GKS) at the FEINDEF Military Trade Show in Madrid, Spain.  This B2B matchmaking service delivered by the U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce opened doors, maximized in-country time and business connections and was largely delivered on the trade show floor.

The Gold Key Service turned out to be a very efficient use of time and resources to meet face-to-face with 11 pre-screened, and vetted companies during the 3-day event. Representing the U.S. Commercial Service from the U.S. Embassy based in Madrid, was Carlos Perezminguez, Senior International Trade Specialist, who helped build and execute HIT’s GKS. Carlos successfully established professional meetings with senior management connections, and formed a comfortable bridge between HIT and these prospective partner companies. This allowed HIT to make a pitch of their protection-based products and services to a target audience, already briefed, and welcoming of HIT's product/technology information.  Having the GKS line up with the FEINDEF Military Trade Show worked well in securing face-time with top notch sales representative companies at the show. Having the local U.S. Embassy introduction established an off the bat warm, working relationship. 

Following the show and meetings, and as a final in-country step to the service, Cameron Werker, Senior Commercial Officer at the Embassy, provided a concise debrief to close the loop, and lay out a plan for next steps on how best to push the sales efforts in Spain forward. Our experience proved the GKS was a great asset particularly considering the limited time and resources we had in country. HIT truly appreciated the U.S. Commercial Service/U.S. Embassy team's professionalism and the positive foundation it helped us build in-country with these established Spanish companies. Now the follow-up/technical information work begins! 

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Author

Russ Monk, Director of Operations and Co-Founder of High Impact Technology can usually be found engaging in business development outside the U.S. and testing new applications for their advanced materials -- always with an eye to saving lives. He is Vice-Chair of the Export Council of Oregon and Southwest Washington.