Nominations Sought for the 2009 State of Montana Governor’s Excellence in Exporting Award – Deadline November 13!

Do you know of a small business that has made a significant contribution to the state or national economy by exporting Montana products or services, marketing programs to increase export sales, or accessed a new international market?

Nominations are being sought for the 2009 State of Montana Governor’s Excellence in Exporting Award. The Montana Governor’s Office and the Montana District Export Council (DEC) sponsor this award. DEC is a statewide organization of exporters, export service providers, and trade associations organized to promote the export of Montana products and to provide assistance to firms seeking to expand international sales. The U.S. Small Business Administration is a DEC member.

The award this year will be presented to the Exporter of the Year, recognizing firms or individuals that have made significant contributions to the economy through export sales. Nominees will be evaluated on the overall economic impact on Montana, export statistics for the past four years, percent of export sales to total sales, increase in export sales, solutions to export problems, and exporting commitment and vision.

The 2002 Governor’s Excellence in Exporting award winner, Kim Wild, President and General Manager of Smith Equipment USA, said “these awards add credibility to our company to potential customers who do not yet know us, and they have helped us succeed in closing new export sales to new customers in new markets.” Smith Equipment USA also received the SBA Montana Exporter of the Year as well as Region VIII and were selected as the SBA National Exporter of the Year in 2004.

Nomination forms and selection criteria are available by contacting the U.S. Small Business Administration at (406) 441-1081. If you need assistance with the nomination process, contact Megan Harrington at (406) 243-5850 or [email protected]. All nomination packages must be returned to the District Export Council c/o Montana World Trade Center, Gallagher Business Building, Suite 257, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812 by November 13, 2009.

CONTACT: CRYSTAL BAKER, 406-441-1089

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STATE OF MONTANA GOVERNOR’S EXCELLENCE IN EXPORTING AWARD
Nomination Form
“IN RECOGNITION OF A MONTANA COMPANY OR INDIVIDUAL FOR EXCELLENCE
AND ACHIEVEMENT IN THE EXPORT OF MONTANA PRODUCTS OR SERVICES.”

NOMINEE INFORMATION

1. Name of company or individual: ___________________________________________________

Street Address: _________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip Code: ____________________________________________________________

Telephone Number: _________________________

Fax: ________________________________

Contact Person: _________________________________________________________________
Email: _____________________________________

Website: ____________________________

3. Total Number of Employees: _______________________________________________________

4. Number of Employees Whose Position is Directly Attributed to Exporting: __________________

5. Countries Exported to: ____________________________________________________________

6. Major Products Exported: __________________________________________________________

7. 2009 Export Sales: _____________ 2009 Export Sales s a Percentage of Total Sales: ___________

8. 2008 Export Sales: _____________ 2008 Export Sales s a Percentage of Total Sales: ___________

9. 2007 Export Sales: _____________ 2007 Export Sales as a Percentage of Total Sales: ___________

JUSTIFICATION FOR AWARD

Please submit a narrative on a separate sheet of paper explaining what notable or innovative
accomplishments this company or individual achieved to benefit the state and/or local economy.
Note: If there are areas that this business could use assistance (e.g., shipping and logistics, international
market research), please make a special note at the bottom of your nomination letter.

NOMINATED BY (IF DIFFERENT FROM NOMINEE)

Name: _______________________________

Title: __________________________________

Street Address: ________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip Code: ___________________________________________________________

Telephone Number: ___________________________

Fax: _____________________________

Email: ______________________________________

Website: __________________________

PLEASE RETURN TO BY November 13, 2009:

Montana District Export Council

c/o Montana World Trade Center

Gallagher Business Building, Suite 257

The University of Montana

Missoula, MT 59812-6798