United States of America Travel Guide - Business

• GDP: US$13.2 trillion (2006).
• Main exports: Computers and electrical machinery, vehicles, chemical products, food and live animals and military equipment and aircraft.
• Main imports: Industrial supplies, computers, telecommunications equipment, automobiles and clothing.
• Main trade partners: Canada, China (PR), Mexico, Japan and Germany.

The US economy is the world's largest, most technologically powerful and diverse. Distinct benefits arise from a unique combination of mass immigration, technological and marketing innovations, vast natural resources, expansion of international trade, historical fortune and an economic system designed to reinforce professional and personal enterprise.

The enormous influence of US-based multinational companies within the world economy affords unparalleled global influence and allows its currency unique international status.

Large areas of the USA, particularly in the Midwest, are under cultivation and produce a wide range of commodities: important are cotton, grain and tobacco, all exported on a large scale. Principal mining operations produce oil, gas, coal, copper, iron, uranium and silver. US industry leads in steel production, automotive manufacturing, aerospace technology, telecommunications, chemical engineering, electronics, computer-based commerce and manufactured goods.

The largest employment is in the service sector, finance, leisure and tourism. The unemployment rate in 2006 was 4.8%, with growth at 2.9% and inflation at 3.2%.

Businesspeople are generally expected to dress smartly. Western business courtesies should be observed, although Americans tend to be less formal than Europeans. Appointments and punctuality are expected procedure and business cards are widely used. Dates in America are written month-day-year.

Office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1730.

If for no other reason than its role in the world economy, the USA is an important conference destination; there are state, city and regional travel and convention organisations in every part of the country, each actively promoting its own assets.

There are several magazines aimed at helping the conference organiser; they include Meeting & Conventions Magazine (website: www.mcmag.com), Successful Meetings Magazine (website: www.mimegasite.com) and Corporate Meetings and Incentive Magazine (website: www.meetingsnet.com).

Three of the largest convention and trade show venues in the USA are Las Vegas, New York and Chicago, with Las Vegas holding the top position for a number of years.

Organisers interested in US venues should contact the US Travel Industry Association or the travel organisations listed in the individual state sections. In addition to the state organisations, addresses of travel and convention organisations for cities and counties are also included. For more information, go online (website: www.tradeshowweek.com).

The Partnership for New York City
1 Battery Park Plaza, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10004, USA
Tel: (212) 493 7400.
Website: www.pfnyc.org

The US Chamber of Commerce
1615 H Street, NW, Washington, DC 20062, USA
Tel: (202) 659 6000 or 1 800 638 6582 in the USA and Canada only.
Website: www.uschamber.com

The Trade Information Center - US Department of Commerce
Tel: 1 800 872 8723 in the USA and Canada only.
Website: www.tradeinfo.doc.gov

The National Foreign Trade Council
1625 K Street, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006, USA
Tel: (202) 887 0278.
Website: www.nftc.org

British American Business Inc
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: (212) 661 4060.
Website: www.babinc.org

British American Business Inc in the UK
75 Brook Street, London W1K 4AD, UK
Tel: (020) 7290 9888.
Website: www.babinc.org