Mission: The New Mexico District Export Council (NMDEC) mission is to grow New Mexico’s economy by increasing its exports of American goods and services through advocacy, trade promotion, and education.
- Promoting U.S. exports:
- Engage with US government officials, chamber of commerce, local government officials and others and advocate for specific trade policies that benefit New Mexico businesses.
- Work to expand opportunities for U.S. companies to export their goods and services to international markets.
- Offer practical support to businesses, by connecting businesses with USCS-NM and other relevant government agencies and organizations to assist with identifying potential markets, providing market research, identifying grants, business development, mentoring and other specific assistance that will make the industry more competitive in the global market
NMDEC will focus on operating to engage productively in the following areas:
1. Advocacy
· Bring awareness to US Federal and New Mexico State government Officials about the purpose of NMDEC
· Bring awareness to US Congressional and Senate Delegation about the purpose of the NMDEC
· Bring awareness to the industries and partners about the purpose of the NMDEC
· Advocate for policies that will make the industries thrive in the global market
2. Trade Promotion
· Support New Mexico businesses, many of whom are experiencing volatile global trade environment.
· Conduct outreach to new-to-export[1] companies and underserved/disadvantaged companies in support of Administration priorities
· Seek industry feedback
3. Education
· Develop creative solutions to maintain and even raise NMDEC’s profile within the state’s international business community
· Conduct outreach to key stakeholders, including congressional representatives, NM State Officials, and Chamber of Commerce’s and local EDO’s. Coordinate with partners and stakeholders to conduct relevant education trade talks- seminars, webinars.
4. Management
· Generate revenue and to the extent possible in the absence of in-person events, to support key NMDEC objectives of the three core workstreams: advocacy, trade promotion, and education.
· Work on incorporation of NMDEC and website.
Advocacy
The New Mexico District Export Council (NMDEC) strives to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of exports to the New Mexico economy and to reach audiences beyond DECs and government officials. NMDEC will be advocating for trade policy and legislation supporting New Mexico exporters. NMDEC will develop key partnerships for the industries to create a path for global competitiveness.
· Regular engagement with National Association of District Export Council and Regional District export Councils to coordinate regional and national efforts.
· Regular engagement with Chamber of Commerce and Associations.
· Regular engagement with US Federal Representative in New Mexico and local governments.
· Conduct semi or annual meetings with industry to listen to the industries concerns and opportunities.
Trade Promotion
NMDEC is a key partner in supporting Commercial Service (CS) New Mexico to reach more New Mexico companies, either the existing exporters or new exporters. NMDEC convenes export education events with CS New Mexico and other partners, and NMDEC members serve as resources to other exporters. The volatile and competitive global trade environment created extraordinary challenges for New Mexico companies, and NMDEC seeks to bring resources to help them gain the competitive advantage.
Deliverables:
a. New-to-Export outreach and programming using in-person and/or virtual tools.
b. Rural and small-medium companies outreach and programming
c. Trade Talks series – Identify subject matter expert to provide dialogue on key trade topics, suited for current and new CS New Mexico clients.
d. NMDEC members to make referrals within their networks to CS New Mexico.
Education
This includes outreach to elected officials, economic development organizations (EDOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), senior state government leaders, and others on trade issues, export opportunities, and the importance of trade in our state. Outreach can take the form of congressional engagement (virtual or in-person events, roundtables, award presentations, email/phone conversations), partnering with key EDOs and NGOs on export education events or other programming.
Deliverables:
a. Leverage Trade Talks series to invite elected officials and their staff to participate as speakers or participants
b. Work with CS New Mexico to communicate NMDEC programming and value proposition to congressional delegation.
c. Develop a mentorship program that pairs experienced exporters with new-to-export businesses.
d. Creating an on-line resource hub for trade data, market research and best practices.
Management
NMDEC relies on sponsorships and program participation fees to fund its operations. NMDEC educational programs are revenue-generating or cost neutral. NMDEC funds are used to support export related programing such as client outreach programs, networking events, hospitality for visiting VIPs and foreign business delegations, scholarships for New Mexico companies to attend national or international ITA events, the NMDEC Web site, and professional services (e.g. CPA for annual tax filing).
Regarding new members, NMDEC is committed to engaging in a diverse and representative slate of members in terms of geography, industry, demographics, and company role. By identifying and engaging strong potential members ahead of the nomination cycle, NMDEC will be well-positioned to nominate a strong slate of members this FY25.
Deliverables:
a. Solicit sponsorships for virtual events/series of events
b. Explore other sources of financial support
c. Identify and recruit a diverse slate of new LDEC members in partnership with CS New Mexico.
[1] “New-to-export" refers to companies that have not previously exported goods or services internationally and are considering exporting for the first time. This includes businesses that may have previously exported, but are now looking to expand their international trade activities to new market regions.
