A groundbreaking conference aimed at promoting exports and global opportunities for Welsh businesses is set to take place in November. The inaugural Global Reach Out – GOT24 Wales conference is organized by the Wrexham-based International Trade Support Group (ITSG) and Antur Cymru, in collaboration with Powys County Council and funded through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.
Scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells, the event will run from 9 am to 4 pm. It will feature international business leaders, including Nicholas Ryan, founder of Thomond Gate Whiskey, alongside speakers from Japan, the US, and Ireland. The conference aims to provide valuable insights into international sales and relationship-building for businesses of all sizes.
Clive Barnard, ITSG World Director, who boasts over 30 years of industry experience, emphasized the importance of this event for local businesses. “This is a platform for businesses in Powys to network and access real opportunities to sell their products or services globally,” he stated. Barnard also noted the presence of various trade specialists from sectors including finance, logistics, customs, and marketing.
GOT24 Wales is poised to offer attendees a unique opportunity to embark on their export journey and establish new partnerships that could foster job creation and bolster the economy in mid-Wales. A key feature of the event will be the launch of the Traders of Celtic Nations Alliance, aimed at supporting start-ups, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and small businesses in marketing their products while celebrating Welsh values and culture.
Recent Welsh Government statistics revealed that in the past 12 months, Wales exported goods worth £19.1 billion, with the EU accounting for 58.7% of this total, compared to 50.1% for the UK. The export landscape is dominated by machinery and transport equipment, valued at £8.3 billion, which constituted 43.2% of total exports. Additionally, mineral fuels were the second highest value exported product, amounting to £3.4 billion, or 17.6% of export values, for the year ending March 2024.
The conference will include a variety of activities designed to enhance networking and knowledge-sharing. Attendees can expect live presentations, breakout sessions, and one-to-one consultations with experts. Notable speakers include ITSG World directors Keith Stringer and Patricia Carlin, Fuse Logistics director Lyndsey Bell, and Dominic McGough, founder and CEO of CustomsPlus, who brings over 40 years of experience in integrated supply chain and related technologies.
Patricia Carlin highlighted Wales’s significant presence on the global stage, stating, “Wales has always punched above its weight, and this conference will showcase and celebrate that, as well as demonstrating how to lay commercial foundations overseas.” She underscored the abundance of opportunities available in various industries and encouraged attendees to capitalise on them by learning from accomplished global entrepreneurs and experts.
The GOT24 Wales conference promises to be a significant event for Welsh businesses seeking to expand their reach and explore new markets.