At the recent information sessions on Serious Games, Patricia Elliott joined us from Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada where she looks after cultural industries in BC, Alberta, and Yukon. She shared some information about what kind of federal assistance and support is available for digital media companies looking to enter international markets.
- Trade Commissioner Service - 140 offices abroad, 12 regional offices in Canada, 900 Trade Commissioners, 800 based overseas
- Virtual Trade Commissioner - A personalized gateway to the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service; market and sector specific information; business leads; free!
- Clients include Canadian new media companies that have researched and selected their target markets, foreign buyers (public/private), investors
- Trade Routes assists cultural and creative entrepreneurs and organizations to become more "export-ready" for international markets, and helps them build capacity for successful international sales through international market development
- Export Preparedness - professional development, exposure to international markets, development of new financial alliances/partners, development of marketing strategies, innovative advertising tools and approaches
- International Market Development - market information, feasibility studies, support at key trade shows, in-market tools, incoming/outgoing buyers missions, B2B networking, attendance at international trade shows and visits to new markets
- Other industry-driven initiatives have included VIDFEST, E3 Bootcamps, Convergence Workshops, presence at GDC, London Games Festival, E3
- Trade Routes application deadline for activities Apr 1/07 - Mar 31/08 is Nov 30/06
- Other sources of funding - Telefilm (Canada New Media Fund), NRC/IRAP (Industrial Research Assistance Program), Canada Revenue Agency/SR&D (Scientific Research & Experimental Development Tax Incentive Program)
- What needs to happen in Alberta - establishing a market map, identifying target markets, target events, working with the national ITAP (International Trade Action Plan), combine efforts of Canadian Trade Commissioners and Alberta's international officers
