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Contact: Tom Dorr, Western Washington University Center for Economic Vitality director, at (360) 733-4014 or Tom.Dorr@wwu.edu.

BELLINGHAM - Western Washington University’s College of Business and Economics’ Center for Economic Vitality (CEV), through its Jump Start Washington Exports program, will host its first British Columbia trade mission to the BC Hospitality Industry Conference & Expo from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 7 and 8, at the Vancouver Convention Centre, East Halls B & C, 999 Canada Place, in Vancouver, B.C.

The CEV is hosting a large booth is able to offer spaces within the booth to local businesses at a reduced rate.

Businesses interested in growing their sales through exports have the opportunity to gain exposure in the Canadian market and develop interest for their products. Producers from the following industries would be an appropriate fit for this type of show:

• Agricultural goods, including fruits, berries, vegetables and dairy products,
• Baked goods,
• Beer and wine,
• Coffees and teas,
• Meat and meat products,
• Seafood,
• Gourmet foods,
• Specialty products, including soaps, lotions, art and paper goods

Staff from the CEV will be available before the event to assist local businesses in preparing for the expo and identify potential buyers as part of the CEV’s export matchmaking program. Additionally, the CEV will be in attendance at the event to support participating companies.

The BC Hospitality Expo is part of the Hospitality Industry Conference, and is the conference's central marketplace showcasing new products, services and trends that the industry has to offer to more than 4,000 attendees. Attendees represent buyers from the hospitality industry in BC and across Canada, as well as some from the United States, including hotels, restaurants, bars, golf courses, and bed and breakfasts.

Space is limited and interested participants must register in advance. Registration information can be found at .

Jump Start Washington Exports is one of the special export programs funded by the Washington Department of Commerce through the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB). The export program includes no-cost confidential business counseling and match-making activities connecting foreign buyers directly with Washington state producers, with special emphasis on Canadian connections. It has been designed to support federal and state export initiatives now in place.

For more than 20 years, the Center for Economic Vitality (CEV) has enabled Western Washington University's College of Business and Economics to give back to the business community and has helped to shape the economic future of our region one business at a time.

The CEV provides free, confidential counseling and technical assistance combined with competitive intelligence research/economic gardening services and export assistance to business owners and managers throughout Washington state.  For more information, go to or call (360) 733-4014.