WEBINAR
Presenters:
Mary Beth Wesdock, SUSTA
Donna West, MS Department of Agriculture & Commerce
Moderator:
Liz Cleveland, Mississippi Development Authority
May 24, 2011
Jackson, Mississippi
Southern United States Trade Association
Helping southern U.S. companies export food and
www.susta.org agricultural products around the world.
Who is SUSTA?
• Non‐profit trade association
• 16 member states
• Funded by USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)
• Assist suppliers of U.S. food and agricultural
products in their export marketing efforts
www.susta.org
SUSTA Programs
MAP Generic offers suppliers MAP Branded reimburses
the opportunity to promote small to medium-sized
U.S. products overseas and companies up to 50% of
meet foreign buyers through selected international
discounted space at trade marketing expenses
shows and low cost trade
missions. www.susta.org/services/map.html
www.susta.org/services/gip.html
www.susta.org
Eligible Companies
• Small by Small Business Administration (SBA)
guidelines – generally, the following applies:
– Manufacturers/Packers: Fewer than 500
employees
– Wholesalers/Export Agents/Trading Companies:
Fewer than 100 employees
– Farmer Cooperatives: No size limit
• Total yearly sales of $100,000 or more
• Registered and in good standing with your
state’s Secretary of State
• Submit Pre‐Qualification Form for appropriate
program
www.susta.org
Eligible Products
*Products must contain at least 50% U.S. ingredients*
• Seasonings
• Canned & Processed
Foods
• Fresh Produce • Beverages
• Snack Foods • Horticulture
• Seafood • Pet Food
• Sauces & Condiments • …& more!
www.susta.org
MAP Generic
Generic promotions benefit more than
one company and at least one type of
product
• Trade Shows • Low cost – usually < $2,000
• Inbound & Outbound Trade Missions – Trade shows as low as
• In‐store Promotions 15% of regular
participation cost
• Events worldwide all year
• Help with details, planning
• Dedicated staff to assist
during activity
www.susta.org
MAP Branded
• The Market Access Program (MAP)
Branded is for U.S.‐owned companies
seeking financial assistance to increase
the export of their brand‐name, high‐
value food and agricultural products
• SUSTA provides eligible companies up to
50% reimbursement for certain
international marketing expenses
www.susta.org/services/map.html
www.susta.org
MAP Branded Basics
• Companies apply yearly for funding
• Brand‐name products must be promoted and
labeled as “Made in the USA” or “Product of
Mississippi”
• Documentation for eligible activities is submitted to
SUSTA for reimbursement
www.susta.org
Eligible Expenses
• Advertising
• Point of sale material
• In-store promotions
• Freight for samples
• Exhibiting at international trade shows
• Travel to exhibit at international trade shows
• Modifications to labels to meet import requirements
• Giveaway items (up to $1/item)
• Exhibiting at approved U.S. trade shows
– *Travel for U.S. shows ineligible
www.susta.org
Resources
• On the web at www.susta.org:
– Online directory of exporters
– Trade leads
– Upcoming Events
– Research tools
www.susta.org
Resources
• Other resources:
– INsight quarterly newsletter with industry news,
upcoming events and success stories
– Email Updates every month
– Basics of Exporting handbook
– Foreign Agricultural Service – www.fas.usda.gov
www.susta.org
Contact Us
Southern U.S. Trade Association
701 Poydras Street
Suite 3725
New Orleans, LA 70139
Tel: (504) 568‐5986
Fax: (504) 568‐6010
Email: susta@susta.org
www.susta.org
Make Mine Mississippi Program
• A voluntary marketing program
• Launched spring of 1999
• Identifies product as being at least 51% produced in Mississippi
• Increases awareness of Mississippi made products
• 1040 companies participating
• The only program that identifies Mississippi products
Make Mine Mississippi Companies
Leflore County
Calhoun County
Humphreys County
Simpson County
Hinds County
Attala County
Sunflower County
Benefits of Make Mine Mississippi Program
• Free and voluntary use of the Make Mine Mississippi logo
• Company listing on MDAC website: www.makeminemississippi.com
• Eligible for the Cooperative Promotions Program
– Matching funds, reimbursement program which provides financial
assistance with promotional and marketing efforts.
Make Mine Mississippi Cooperative Promotions Program
Eligible Expenses for Program Reimbursement
Trade Show Booth Space Trade Publication Advertisements
Displays Radio Advertisements
Advertisement in Show Directory Internet Banner Advertisements
Printing of Brochures & Flyers Printing of “Make Mine Mississippi” Labels
Magazine Advertisements Printing of “Make Mine Mississippi” Packaging
Newspaper Advertisements
COOPERATIVE PROMOTIONS PROGRAM
• From the inception of the co‐op program in the fall of 1999 until
the end of FY 2010 some 740 companies have been allocated
funds
• More than $650,000 has been awarded with companies
reporting over $90,000,000 in sales as a result of promotional
activities paid for in part by this program
• Businesses currently report some 3900 new jobs created or
retained as a result of the make mine Mississippi program
Make Mine Mississippi Program Contact
Donna West
P.O. Box 1609
Jackson, MS 39201
(601) 359-1118
donna@mdac.state.ms.us
www.makeminemississippi.com
Q&A
Session
Answers to all questions submitted
will be posted to our website:
http://www.mississippi.org/webinars/
THANK YOU!
Mississippi World Trade Center International Trade Office
Mississippi Development
601‐353‐0909 Authority
rregan@mswtc.org
601‐359‐3155
www.mswtc.org
trade@mississippi.org
www.mississippi.org/intlevents