Pride of Dakota Trade Show Assistance Program

Pride of Dakota is an organization serving the needs of member businesses in the state of North Dakota when it comes to promoting their goods and services. One of the resources that Pride of Dakota offers its members businesses is the Pride of Dakota Trade Show Assistance Program. In basic and essential terms, the Pride of Dakota Trade Show Assistance is designed to assist member businesses in expanding their reach through participating in regional, national, and even international tradeshows. If you are a business who already participates in Pride of Dakota, or if you are considering joining the organization, you may also want more information about the Pride of Dakota Trade Show Assistance Program.

Pride of Dakota Trade Show Assistance Program Objective

The objective of the Pride of Dakota Trade Show Assistance Program is to provide businesses with assistance to further develop and expand their existing markets. This is accomplished through tradeshow participation and exhibiting. The Pride of Dakota Trade Show Assistance Program is designed to provide funding to assist participating businesses in being able to offset some of the expenses associated with tradeshow participation.

Pride of Dakota Trade Show Assistance Program Guidelines

There are a number of established guidelines associated with the Pride of Dakota Trade Show Assistance Program. First of all, only businesses in good standing as members of Pride of Dakota can apply to participate in the tradeshow program.

Any business that qualifies for the Pride of Dakota Trade Show Assistance Program can receive up to $1,000 each fiscal year to assist in offsetting costs associated with tradeshow participation. The fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.

A business interested in obtaining financial assistance via the Pride of Dakota Trade Show Assistance Program must ensure that an application is postmarked at least 30 days prior to the tradeshow’s opening date.

The Pride of Dakota Trade Show Assistance Program financial awards can only be expended on retail or wholesale tradeshows that are held outside of the state. Again, one of the purposes of the program is to attract interest in North Dakota business enterprises, products, and services from beyond the boundaries of the state.

Pride of Dakota Trade Show Assistance Program Application Procedures

As noted, an application needs to be postmarked no later than 30 days from the date of the start of a tradeshow for which financial assistance is sought. Provided there is no deadline issue, a business can submit a completed application for the Pride of Dakota Trade Show Assistance Program by fax or email as well. An application received outside the established deadline, and certainly after a business has intended a tradeshow will not be accepted. In other words, retroactive funding requests are not considered.

The staff of Pride of Dakota, specifically the marketing team, reviews all applications. The marketing team advises a business if it does quality for funding. Any award of funding is not transferable.

If a business is approved for funding, it must then sign and return the Trade Show Assistance Program Notice of Grant Award to the marketing team. In addition, a business awarded funding must also complete and return what is known as the Post Trade Show Survey. A business must also complete and submit a Trade Show Expense Report. The expense report must be submitted no later than 30 days following exhibiting at the tradeshow. Finally, a business must be submit proof of exhibition at the tradeshow. Receipts are also required for reimbursement by the Pride of Dakota Trade Show Assistance Program.

Once all of this documentation is provided, the staff of the Pride of Dakota Trade Show Assistance Program will tender a reimbursement in the amount indicated upon a business’ acceptance into the tradeshow reimbursement program.

Pride of Dakota Trade Show Assistance Program Eligible Expenses

Eligible expenses for tradeshows in the United States and Canada include those incurred on the day prior to the tradeshow, as well as all expenses incurred during the tradeshow itself. In addition, expenses from the day after the show typically can be reimbursed as well. Again, receipts need to be maintained for presentation to the Pride of Dakota Trade Show Assistance Program as needed.

Air Fare is reimbursed at 50 percent of the lowest advanced coach rates. In addition, mileage for driving is reimbursed at $0.28 cents per mile.

Lodging is reimbursed at a maximum of per day. All costs related to booth space is reimbursed at percent of cost. This includes all costs associated with booth space, including rental and costs of outfitting the space itself.

Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Faxage a leading company that provides Internet fax service for individuals and businesses.