When one of the world’s foremost security and equipment exhibition opens in London next month, New Hampshire will be a part of the action.
Held every other year, DSEI (short for Defense and Security Equipment International) features over 1,500 exhibitors and attracts about 35,000 people during the four-day event, Sept. 12 – 15. This is the first time New Hampshire will be represented there and we’re one of three states exhibiting.
“Over the next decade, global defense spending is projected to have steady growth and New Hampshire companies are well-positioned to meet the demand,” said Gov. Chris Sununu. “The DSEI provides a great opportunity to forge valuable global partnerships and showcase New Hampshire’s specialized defense and security manufacturing industry.”
According to industry analysts, New Hampshire’s aerospace and defense sector exports grew nearly 26 percent between 2010 and 2015 and employs about 10,000 people.
The New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development’s website, VisitNH.gov, is one of the top 25 tourism board websites in the world for 2017, according to Skift, the travel industry’s largest intelligence platform. The selection highlighted VisitNH.gov for its captivating photos and video, as well as its trip inspiration generator function.
“We are thrilled to be recognized by Skift for our innovative and engaging website that has become an essential tool for travelers visiting New Hampshire,” said Victoria Cimino, director of the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development. “We understand competition for tourism dollars is at an all-time high and have responded by implementing the latest technology across the division’s marketing efforts, including VisitNH.gov. The website design, and particularly the trip inspiration generator, is a major component of DTTD’s long-term strategy for delivering personalized experiences for travelers.”
Skift highlighted DTTD’s “compelling video that plays when travelers first enter the site.” In addition, Skift points out the trip inspiration generator, in which travelers can “take a three-question survey that curates recommendations based on what kind of vacation they want to have.”
VisitNH.gov also features a rotating gallery of travelers’ Instagram photos, which “helps travelers imagine themselves visiting these places,” according to Skift.
DTTD worked with its marketing agency, GYK Antler, and interactive partner, SilverTech, to develop the engaging and interactive design and execution for the website. The most recent iteration of the site was unveiled in May 2017, highlighting DTTD’s summer marketing campaign featuring New Hampshire’s “limitless” summertime activities, destinations and events.
“We have been working with DTTD to develop and highlight the content that most resonates with the travelers we want to attract again and again,” said Travis York, president and CEO of GYK Antler. “When we have a phenomenal product to feature, as we do in the case of New Hampshire as a tourism destination, it makes it considerably easier for us to create compelling, impactful content that engages the user.”
In compiling the 2017 list, Skift prioritized “websites with the best user experience overall, especially on mobile; the most modern modular layout, seamless navigation and impactful visuals, and the most nuanced multi-format storytelling.”
“Our major emphasis was ensuring VisitNH.gov was easy to use, intuitive and engaging,” said Nick Soggu, president and CEO of SilverTech. “In implementing the trip inspiration generator function, we are creating an interactive experience that also allows us to build out personalized experiences for users.”
Taylor Caswell becomes first commissioner of the Department of Business and Economic Affairs.
Taylor Caswell was sworn in by Gov. Chris Sununu as the first commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs on Tuesday afternoon.
The new department was created July 1 by an act of the state legislature. In his new role, Caswell will oversee the Divisions of Economic Development and Travel and Tourism Development.
“I look forward to continuing to strengthen New Hampshire’s economy as the first commissioner of the Department of Business and Economic Affairs,” Caswell said. “Through increased collaboration and finding new ways to enhance the state’s role as a partner, we will provide increased opportunities for existing and potential Granite State business owners, help create jobs for our citizens, and continue to grow as a destination for visitors from near and far.”
Caswell, a resident of Hollis and Littleton native, was most recently the executive director of the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority, where he served for three years. As commissioner of the BEA, he brings more than 20 years’ experience from the public and private sectors, including as the New England Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a small business owner, and more than a decade in Washington D.C.
The New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs was established to provide focused leadership on the mission of expanding the state’s economy. The Department’s two major missions include providing a broad, integrated and collaborative set of economic development and tourism industry supports for New Hampshire businesses, its communities, and the people who live in them.
Mark Laliberte and Doug Dimes of D.R. Dimes American Furniture, Northwood
Reaching out to businesses in all corners of New Hampshire is what I do every day, but I am also here when businesses reach out to me with a question or about how to tap into our business resources.
That’s how I met up with Douglas P. Dimes, president and chief designer at D.R. Dimes American Furniture in Northwood. A few weeks ago, he had a question, I had the answer, and ended up having an opportunity to visit and take a tour of the plant.
He’s the second generation producing 18th century reproduction furniture, incorporating 21st century technology.
“We’ve really embraced CNC machining for the production of our products,” Dimes said. “It’s a passion of mine to make things leaner and more efficient.”
D.R. Dimes, Northwood
He showed NH Economy a process that increased precision to one-thousandth of an inch, while reducing production time dramatically.
D.R. Dimes American Furniture is noted for its Windsor chairs
“The customer cares about product, not process,” Dines said, adding that improving the quality of the product also includes a commitment to Lean manufacturing, which, he said, leads to more productivity on the shop floor.
Some well-known restoration projects are furnished by D.R. Dimes, including the Bridges House; the Edward M. Kennedy Institute, for which it created 100 desks, and Harkness tables for Philips Exeter Academy.
“When we see a furniture line or a product we want to build, we work extremely hard to get up-to-speed,” said Dimes. “I see it as a challenge; to quote Calvin Coolidge, ‘Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.'”
Mark Laliberte
Business Retention
NH Division of Economic Development
Is your business one of the hundreds that brings in billions in federal contracts to New Hampshire every year?
Government contracting offers New Hampshire small businesses a way to expand their customer base selling goods and services to local, state and federal governments. The catch is that doing business with the government has a few more layers that traditional business-to-business.
“Every year, hundreds of New Hampshire companies receive between $1.5 billion to $2 billion in federal contracts alone, with hundreds of millions more from state and local government contracts,” said Dave Pease, program manager for the New Hampshire Government Contracting Assistance Center, part of the state’s Division of Economic Development. “New Hampshire businesses are very successful in winning these types of contracts, ranking 7th in the US and #1 in the Northeast in per capita federal small business contracts.”
No business is too small to get into government contracting, he said.
“Uncle Sam is like any other consumer – it needs the sames services, equipment, supplies that other companies order from your business,” he said.
Winning Federal Contracts – A Great Business Opportunity or a Nightmare will explore how doing business with the government is different than private business; what kind of opportunities there are and where to find them and the resources available for guidance through the process.
On our monthly New Hampshire Business Matters radio show on WTPL-FM107.7, business resource specialist Jimmie Hinson spoke with Ido Yerushalmi, president and CEO of Intelitek, located in Derry.
With the start of the new fiscal year this week, New Hampshire’s newest agencies came to be – the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs and Department of Natural and Cultural Resources – as a result of the reorganization of the Department of Resources and Economic Development.
The Division of Economic Development and the Division of Travel and Tourism Development comprise the Department of Business and Economic Affairs.
The Divisions of Parks and Recreation, Forest and Lands and the Department of Cultural Resources make up the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, led by Commissioner Jeffrey Rose.
The motivation for the move is to place more emphasis on economic development and tourism and to create more of a “one stop shopping” environment for business by creating stronger synergies with all our various partners.
So, we begin a new and exciting chapter. The name may have changed, but our mission remains — to support and promote aggressively our businesses and their employees in this great state and to tackle the challenges that have the greatest impact on our economy.
Change is always a time for new vision, new strategies and new opportunities. We are excited to be a part of it.
New Hampshire Economic Development was able to tout its open for business sign last month to manufacturers and business owners from around the world at two trade shows – MD&M East in New York City, targeting medical device and manufacturing interests, and the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington, DC, focusing on foreign direct investment.
Joined by colleagues Michael Bergeron, senior business development manager, at MD&M and Tina Kasim, program manager at our Office of International Commerce, at SelectUSA, I met with scores of people at both trade shows keen on hearing our message about the state’s business friendly climate, educated workforce, robust industry sectors and quality of life. A great opportunity to not only answer their questions, but to ask some of our own, encourage a visit and follow-up with information they need, such as available real estate.
Trade shows are a dynamic, if not efficient, way, to meet and have conversations with business leaders who are considering business expansion or relocation. Often, conversations plant the seeds for long term relationships for future growth opportunities. Followup is the key to our work at these events, keeping in touch with contacts so that when they are ready to further explore options, they will consider New Hampshire.
At MD&M, where we also met with attendees at simultaneous trade shows at the Javits Center for plastics, packaging and design manufacturing, some of the people with whom we spoke were focused on seeking manufacturers, suppliers and services contacts to develop relationships. Some were pleasantly surprised to see New Hampshire represented at the event and asked about our industry sectors.
At the SelectUSA show, we spoke with international investors and business owners exploring oportunities within the US, including locations for distribution and warehousing and investing in established companies, especially in the fields of bio-med and medical device manufacturing with an established workforce. We also met with foreign officials and consultants representing companies seeking to establish relationships with businesses in the US for distribution, investment and partnering.
Our message at these trade shows is New Hampshire’s business friendly climate. When we tell people we have no sales, personal income, estate, use, internet, capital gains or professional service taxes, they are surprised and intrigued – what we don’t have is definitely a conversation starter.
For others, it is our booth that draws them over to talk with us. Featuring a stunning lakeside image, it prompts people to take a time out from the busy show. They stare at the lake and share with us memories of going to camp here in the summer, family vacations and even business trips.
When decision makers can’t come to New Hampshire, trade shows are a great way to bring New Hampshire to them.
Has your export plan lost its vitality? How fit is your company to sell to global markets? Do you need to pick up your pace in the international trade arena?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, drop and give us 20.
Just kidding.
But you may want to consider joining us this fall for our Export Boot Camp. It’s free* and unlike other boot camps you may be familiar with, you have nothing to lose and a lot to gain.
Bottom line? We want to help you expand your business.
Beginning in October, the Office of International Commerce is offering a series of free* training seminars on the four core topics of international trade: Export Controls and Compliance; Export Logistics; Export Finance, and International Marketing.
Whether you’re an experienced exporter looking to refresh your program or looking to expand your markets overseas, these seminars will put your company in great shape.
Here is the schedule:
EXPORT CONTROLS AND COMPLIANCE
8:30am – 4:30pm, Wednesday, Oct. 4
Department of Economic and Business Affairs (formerly DRED)
172 Pembroke Rd., Concord
Cost: FREE* Presented by Mike Allocca, Allocca Enterprises
EXPORT LOGISTICS
9 am – 2 pm, Wednesday, Oct. 18
Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce
49 South Main St., Suite 104, Concord
Cost: FREE* Presented by Radek Maley and Nicole Dunbar, Highland Forwarding USA
EXPORT FINANCE
9:30am – 2 pm, Wednesday, Nov. 1
Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce
49 South Main St., Suite 104, Concord
Cost: FREE* Presented by Joe Kenney, The Provident Bank; Greta Johansson, U.S. Small Business Administration; John Joyce, U.S. Small Business Administration
INTERNATIONAL MARKETING
9 am – 2:30pm, Wednesday, Nov. 15
Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce
49 South Main St., Suite 104, Concord
Cost: FREE* Presented by Wendy Pease, Rapport International
Rachel Adams, International Trade Officer
For more information about each seminar, complete the register your interest form here. You will be contacted by the NH Office of International Commerce to confirm your participation.
We look forward to having you join us this fall!
*These seminars will be supported through the State Export Promotion grant and funded in part by The Provident Bank. Contact Rachel Adams to confirm your eligibility for these sessions.
Stay connected with New Hampshire tourism on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube, and follow the #livefreeNH tag to see what other people are saying about summer in New Hampshire.
The New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development expects more visitors to spend more money this summer, compared to last. State tourism officials project New Hampshire will see 17 million visitors, who will spend $2.25 billion throughout the summer, a 4 percent increase in both visitation and spending.
Marking the beginning of New Hampshire’s busiest travel season, the Fourth of July week is expected to draw nearly one million out-of-state travelers and generate more than $150 million in spending from June 30 to July 4.
DTTD unveiled its summer marketing campaign earlier this spring, showcasing the ‘limitless’ activities, destinations and events offered throughout New Hampshire this summer.
“New Hampshire welcomes millions of visitors each year, generating billions of dollars in annual spending,” said Jeffery Rose, commissioner of the Department of Resources and Economic Development. “The summer travel season represents more than 40 percent of annual visitation and spending.”
DTTD anticipated increased overnight visits, extended weekend and day trips over last summer. DTTD research partners cited a number of economic indicators suggesting a successful summer tourism season, including a 10-year low in the unemployment rate and growth in U.S. travel volume.
Similarly, DTTD is expecting increases in occupancy rates at resorts, hotels, motels, bed and breakfast establishments and campgrounds over the Fourth of July period compared to recent years. During the Fourth of July period, visitors will travel here from New England and Middle Atlantic states.
