Indiana leaders are actively promoting the state internationally.
Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann wrapped up a two-week international trade mission to Asia in late June to promote Indiana’s agricultural industry. Gov. Mike Pence will embark on his third mission Saturday to the United Kingdom.
The blanket of global promotion is good for the state’s economy and for the businesses already here, local business leaders said.
“Just having the exposure in those types of locations is helpful to us,” said Marty Vaught, spokesman for Kimball International. “There are a lot of international businesses in Indiana now and they are doing business with companies here, like Kimball.”
“We’ve got a lot going on in Indiana, and this kind of promotion helps show that to other countries,” said Hank Menke, CEO of OFS Brands in Huntingburg.
While they could not pinpoint an specific incidence, they said the exposure overall is the benefit.
“The benefit to our company is more indirect,” Menke said. “I think what’s more important is the job and industry traction. These missions bring businesses to the state, which brings more jobs. In the last eight years, the state has done a great job of attracting industry to Indiana. They are keeping Indiana relevant and on the radar across the world.”
Ellspermann led a 24-person delegation of farmers, agricultural business leaders and commodity representatives on the June trip and visited Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
“It was an extremely rewarding experience with very full daily schedules,” Ellspermann said Thursday. “I asked the planning team to ensure our days were filled with beneficial meetings and learning opportunities that would bring the most value to Indiana and our agriculture businesses and organizations,” she said. “They did just that.”
Ellspermann and her delegation met with government and agricultural officials, trade organizations, food companies and other leaders who were interested in doing business with Indiana.
“We signed six trade-related agreements and letters of intent (from industries) ranging from hardwoods to corn and soybeans,” she said, “and left with countless leads and fledgling relationships which we will continue to nurture over the coming months and years.”
Meeting with leaders in person was critical for building relationships and securing those agreements, she noted.
“The value of visiting the farms, participating in the Taipei International Food Show, shopping in their grocery stores, eating their foods, meeting with their decision-makers face-to-face and being a part of the culture is truly invaluable,” Ellspermann said. “And conversely, for the Asian farmers to meet with Indiana farmers and talk about processes and opportunities for collaboration — it’s priceless, really.”
Vaught said past trips, such as those former Gov. Mitch Daniels took during his administration, eventually led to deals and new relationships for Kimball.
“Those past trips have opened new connections,” he said. “They’ve presented opportunities for meetings and for dialog with new companies that have become customers,” he said.
“(Former delegations) have attracted Japanese companies here,” Menke added. “That gives us the opportunity to do business with those new companies. It’s a win-win.”
Both Menke and Vaught believe exposure from the recent trade missions will do the same.
“Kimball has a global footprint,” Vaught said. “So the connections with other countries like Asia and Europe outside of our existing opportunities is wanted. The opportunity to be more visible in a different venue is important.”
On Saturday, Pence will lead a 22-person delegation to the United Kingdom and attend the Farnborough International Airshow, a worldwide aviation exhibition near London. The trip will conclude Wednesday.
“From the exhibition floor of the Farnborough International Airshow to business meetings across London, leaders in the aviation and aerospace industries will soon be hearing all about Indiana,” Pence said. “They will be listening to the story of a state that works, where our stellar workforce and business climate have made Indiana one of the best places in the world to grow a business.
“Our goal with this mission is to propel these businesses to Indiana, bringing more jobs and opportunity for all Hoosiers.”
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