The 11-day joint trade delegation led by ACT Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope, will include seven ACT-based companies covering sectors from technology to business services and consumer products.
Austrade's ACT-based Senior Export Adviser, Chris Horsburgh said the mission will visit Washington and Virginia from 2-6 June then take in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto from 9-12 June.
"This mission will raise the awareness and capabilities of ACT businesses and provide an opportunity for participants to meet with potential clients and to directly scope the USA and Canadian markets,"
Chris Horsburgh said.
"Mission delegates will benefit from a structured program of briefing and preparation sessions prior to travel, group sessions in-market with experts and targeted appointments with key influencers, potential customers and partners.
"Each of the businesses taking part will work to its own itinerary, with some focused on private business opportunities and other on government access. Austrade will also provide follow-up after the mission to help capitalise on opportunities," he said.
The participating ACT-based businesses are: Aspen Medical; Auraya; Beyond Business Connections; Cackleberry Kids; John Walker Crime Trends Analysis; Mitchell Personnel and SIMmersion.
Austrade's Vancouver-based Senior Business Development Manager, David Collier, said there are many export opportunities in Canada for ACT-based businesses in sectors like ICT, security, education, government, franchising, mining, health, transport and digital entertainment sectors.
"Participants will focus on private business opportunities in Toronto and Montreal, then on the government opportunities in the Ottawa area. To help facilitate business links Austrade will also hold a networking function in Toronto on 10 June with the Chief Minister as the key note speaker," Mr Collier said.
"Business in both markets is very much relationship based. The ACT has been quick to recognise this and capitalise on the opportunities," he said.
"Canada shares similarities in culture, business, government structure and policies with Australia as well as an incrementally larger consumer base of over 32 million.
"Canada is also a great 'training market' in preparation for the United States and is increasingly recognised as an excellent based from which to access the North American market," Mr Collier said.
Austrade's Washington-based Trade Commissioner, Daniel Sullivan, said the US federal government is seeking companies in the areas of eGovernment, Homeland Security, Defence, Communications and Technology.
"Success in the US market has the potential to accelerate the development of an Australian company and often creates flow-on effects in other markets," Mr Sullivan said.
"An example of such success is Canberra-based Mediaware who established a US subsidiary in Washington to access the US defence market. Mediaware experienced strong growth from its US subsidiary and is now part of a large American defence contractor," he said.
