GMDC Partners with KOTRA to Assist Korean Companies with U.S. Market Entry

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., March 31, 2016 -- Global Market Development Center has partnered with the Korean Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), a leading Asian trade group, to assist Korean companies and brands with market entry into the United States while leveraging U.S. retail channel opportunities.

As part of the partnership, GMDC will share next practices and shopper insights about supply chain growth, retail trends and strategies for connecting these brands with new consumers in the U.S. at KOTRA’s annual business partnership conference April 1 in Los Angeles.

“Our industry is rapidly evolving, and GMDC is driving opportunities for members and their customers across the globe by helping them navigate, or as we say, ‘connect, collaborate and create commerce’. GMDC specializes in helping companies forge a path to retail and successful entry into the marketplace,” said Patrick Spear, president and CEO of GMDC. “Through this new KOTRA relationship, we are advancing the opportunity for Korean manufacturers to enter into the U.S. space and be strongly competitive.”

The conference brings U.S. companies together with nearly 50 Korean companies to showcase exports, investments, technology cooperation and other partnership opportunities. The event will offer a front row seat to the latest Korean products and services through pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings, or “corporate speed dates,” a practice that GMDC has long advanced as a key industry differentiator in the marketplace.

“We are excited to join with GMDC in exploring retail opportunities and cultivating market growth for Korean companies, especially leveraging the association membership’s success with innovative supply chain distribution methods and the latest trends driving the marketplace,” said Derek Lee, senior executive entertainment and procurement specialist for KOTRA.

The partnership was cemented in part by longtime GMDC HBW board member Bruce M. Worley, president and chief operating officer of Better Sales and Brand Management Group, who has worked extensively with KOTRA and its membership, and has been instrumental in connecting the GMDC membership with growth, thought leadership and innovative marketplace opportunities.

 “GMDC is the perfect resource for companies across the globe to discover new frontiers and explore new markets, and this partnership will continue to cultivate growth opportunities in the U.S. and worldwide,” Worley said. “GMDC has been a critical partner for Better Sales and Brand Management Group and our clients. Since first participating more than a decade ago what has always stood out is the dedication to achieve success together – it’s a true retail ecosystem. This is critical not only to my business but the business of our clients.”

About GMDC

Global Market Development Center (GMDC) energizes members and the marketplace by advancing a culture of Connect-Collaborate-Create-Commerce. As the leading GM and HBW trade association, GMDC is dedicated to serving its ecosystem of more than 600 General Merchandise and Health Beauty Wellness retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and service/solution member companies by enabling consumer-facing innovation and retail reimagined. GMDC's combined member volume represents more than 125,000 retail outlets and more than $500 billion in sales. To learn more, visit www.gmdc.org 

About KOTRA

KOTRA is a non-profit, government agency of the Republic of Korea.  The trade association and chamber of commerce assists and supports U.S. companies who wish to do business with Korean companies. With a worldwide network of more than 119 offices in 81 countries, KOTRA offers a wide variety of initiatives to support international clients. 

Media Contacts:

Olivia Otterstedt
Marketing & Communications Specialist
GMDC
[email protected]

Todd Smith
Co-Founder, President & CEO
Deane | Smith
[email protected]