2009 Overview

The 2009 International Aid + Trade Event is to be held in partnership with InterAction, the largest coalition of US NGOs. Corresponding in time, location, content and participants, both events will be held in Washington DC in July 2009 and will address key issues facing the international aid, humanitarian relief and development sectors.

InterAction Forum 2009 7-9 July Marriott Crystal Gateway, Arlington, VA InterAction’s 25th anniversary annual meeting will provide their 165 member organisations and government agencies an opportunity to highlight timely issues affecting the NGO sector. Between 800 and 1000 leaders and practitioners will participate in the event.

2009 International Aid +Trade Event 9-10 July 2009, Ronald Reagan Building, Washington, D.C. International Aid + Trade will take the baton, providing a forum for 1000+ attendees to really discuss the details of issues raised in InterAction’s high level-debates, bringing buyers, sellers and policy makers together to network, build relationships and experience goods and services vital to delivery.

What has changed?

Following the change of ownership in 2005, the International Aid + Trade Events in 2006, 2007 and 2008 grew  significantly - in terms of exhibiting organisations, visitor numbers, numbers of procurement and logistics managers and interactive features. The relevance of the discussions as well as the calibre of speakers and the focus of the workshops themselves have also notably developed in line with movements throughout the sector. Marketplace feedback has called for an evolutionary approach to providing an open platform for communication, coordination and partnership. To address the challenges faced by the diverse groups of organisations and individuals striving for more efficient, and ultimately more effective, aid and humanitarian relief on a daily basis, the 2009 International Aid + Trade event:

• Features moderated roundtable discussions rather than lectures;
• Offers table tops and smaller booths to enable lower cost exhibitor, participation;
• Has moved to Washington D.C. to engage the US market and aid agencies;
• Is working with the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA);
• Is reactive, communicating with aid agencies on the ground to ensure the right issues are covered;
• Provides display area space for real hands on approach;
• Has opened the cocktail reception to all attendees;
• Features an invitation only dinner for increased informal networking opportunities;
• Will offer a pre-event meetings request service.

The partnership between Aid + Trade and Interaction will increase cross-sector awareness, attendance and the focus of the agenda.

Where?

As the wealthiest and most influential nation, the USA has a significant impact on other regions. With the introduction of a new administration in January 2009 this is an important time to reach US government procurement and policy officials to influence approaching decision-making processes.

The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Centre is central to Washington’s hotels and amenities, just over two miles from the Crystal Marriott Gateway where InterAction is being held and has fantastic transport links. It is home to trade-related government agencies, private sector global organisations, international affairs offices of multinational corporations, foreign entities, nonprofits organisations and international trade consultants. Including U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Commerce's USA Trade Centre.

Who will attend?

Attendees span government departments, NGOs and aid agencies, UN organisations and businesses, both large and small...

• Procurement Managers, Coordinators and Logisticians: building relationships face-to-face. Whether talking to existing suppliers, or meeting and greeting new potential partners, the event offers an invaluable audience that will contribute to effective procurement practice.

• Project Managers: will benefit from gaining direct contact with providers of goods and services being used on a day-to-day basis.

• Policy Makers: global decision makers play a critical role in directing multilateral humanitarian efforts. International Aid + Trade enables policy makers to increase their understanding of the practical implications of the decisions they take.

• Suppliers of Products and Services: showcasing products and services to attendees and fellow exhibitors to network, build partnerships and create effective supply chains for effective humanitarian relief, international aid and long term development.

Workshops:

Following feedback, the workshops have evolved from panel presentations to interactive roundtable discussions between different stakeholders with audience question and answer sessions.

Roundtable discussions will involve key speakers from NGO, government and UN organisations as well as two or three representatives from the corporate sector. They are specifically designed to improve coordination and understanding between business, the UN, aid agencies and NGOs, resulting in increased efficiency in the way problems are addressed, solutions are designed and distributed, and contracts are agreed. Each session will be moderated and will last for 1.5 hours. The sessions are looking to produce agreements and actions and will address the following questions:

• What are the challenges?
• What solutions exist?
• What needs to be considered in providing these challenges?
• What action steps can we take to improve effectiveness in this area?

Sessions will focus on issues raised within the InterAction conference and topics will include:

• Aid provision in hostile environments;
• Legal barriers to aid provision including customs, visa and immigration laws;
• Responsible purchasing and supply chain management;
• Environmentally aware aid provision;
• Effective raising and use of funds;
• Effective transport systems (especially in light of increasing fuel costs);
• The food crisis and aid issues

There will also be "table top exercises" giving working groups of UN, NGO, government and business representatives the opportunity to work through strategic responses to selected disasters in an open forum.

Networking, reception and dinner:

This year’s event will include a cocktail reception and VIP dinner for key exhibitors, speakers, buyers and visitors. The reception and dinner will take place on the evening of the 9th July at the Ronald Reagan Building.

The exhibition hall itself will also provide networking opportunities through the roundtable discussions, through a new “meetings arrangement” service and within the networking lounges. The café in the middle of the display area will provide a relaxed meeting area for discussions, refreshments and relaxation. It is a great opportunity to build new relationships and consolidate existing ones in an informal setting.

To discuss participation as a speaker or visitor, please contact  Sula Bruce, Operations Director on  Tel: +44 20 7871 0188  Email: sbruce@aidandtrade.org   To discuss participation as a sponsor, or exhibitor, please contact  Malcolm Lewis, Commercial Director on  Tel: +44 20 7871 0123  Email: mlewis@aidandtrade.org