TRENTON, NJ. January 7, 2025 (Biz Republic) — The New Jersey District Export Council (NJDEC) has opened nominations for the 2025 International Trade Awards, which honor businesses for their efforts to expand exports by growing in existing markets, penetrating new markets, and embracing new growth strategies. Nominations can be submitted online here and must be made by Feb. 21, 2025. All winners must be present when they are recognized at the 2025 New Jersey International Trade Awards ceremony on May 13, 2025, and will be asked to participate in a panel discussion.
New Jersey businesses can be recognized for excellence in any of these four categories:
● Exporter of the Year — Awarded to a New Jersey company that has grown its exports and made exporting the cornerstone of its business.
● Service Exporter of the Year — Awarded to a New Jersey company that is successfully exporting services. Examples include, but are not limited to, architectural, engineering, legal, financial, construction, accounting, and consulting services sold to international buyers. In addition, education (foreign students studying in NJ) and travel & tourism (international visitors to NJ) are also considered service exports.
● New Exporter of the Year — Awarded to a New Jersey company that has begun exporting products or services within the last two years.
● Minority/Diverse Exporter of the Year — Awarded to a New Jersey company that is successfully exporting and whose owners or senior leaders represent an underserved business community, defined as African American/Black, Asian American, Hispanic American, Native American, Veteran and Service-Disabled, Woman, or LGBTQI+.
Companies can nominate themselves or another qualifying business provided they are headquartered in New Jersey. Nominations may be submitted in more than one category, but a business may only win in one category. Businesses that were nominated last year, but did not win, are encouraged to apply again. Questions about the awards program may be directed to Lauren.Platz@trade.gov.
BEST PRACTICES FOR WRITING YOUR NJITA NOMINATION
Whether you are writing your own nomination or nominating a company you believe deserves to win, the judges are looking for a compelling story and examples of why your company is exemplary. Taking the time to carefully consider each response and writing in full, detailed sentences will go a long way in showcasing your company. The judges only know what you include in your application, so be sure to provide examples and make it clear what product or service you are offering. If you sell a product or service that is particularly challenging to export for any reason (e.g., price volatility, perishability, bulkiness in transport, or difficulty in translation), let us know! NJDEC want to be impressed. You are welcome to apply for more than one award category, and you will be judged separately in each category.
The event organizers are looking for companies that stand out from the rest, whether that is demonstrated through:
● A persistent drive to expand business growth through exports.
● A problem-solving approach to selling in difficult markets or exporting.
● Finding innovative sales solutions or marketing techniques to reach new audiences.
● A dedicated management team willing to invest resources, time, and effort into international expansion.
● Demonstrating a broad use of resources and partnerships to identify opportunities.
● A compelling story of how you grew your business internationally.
● The challenges in exporting you overcame to get to where you are now.
● The positive impact exporting has had on your company, such as hiring or expansion, etc.
If you are applying for the New Exporter of the Year Award, some ways you could impress the judges include showcasing:
● How you collected resources to make the process of exporting for the first time less daunting.
● How you dedicated time and resources to shifting your business internationally.
● The challenges you overcame while learning how to export.
If you are applying for the Service Exporter of the Year Award:
● Make sure the judges understand exactly what your service entails and how it brings foreign revenue into New Jersey.
● Highlight the unique challenges of working internationally that your company has faced and how you addressed them, such as setting up a foreign branch office or tailoring your materials for different cultural preferences and language barriers.
Regardless of whether you are applying for the Exporter, Service Exporter, Minority/Diverse Exporter, or New Exporter of the Year award, don’t think your company is too small to apply. Focus on describing your strategic decisions to grow your business through exports and the impact exporting has had, and you’ll be sure to impress!
