Who Will Be There at the Inaugural OkIP Expo
The focus industries for this inaugural Global Trade Expo are Aerospace, Agriculture, AI, Art & Culture, Banking, Biotechnology, Defense, Education, Energy, Government, Law, Logistics, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, Service, and Technology. Oklahoma is a major hub for several of the above focus sectors. We have invited more than 1,000 state and regional companies from these industries to apply for potential selection as exhibitors.
OkIP export-focused trade expo plans to shift the narrative from a standard regional B2B event to a high-value international trade hub where attendees will be involved in one of the following types of transactions: US buyers and distributors looking for deals, Global buyers searching for American goods, and Export-ready businesses looking to expand globally. Other attendees will come to see and learn what Oklahoma has to offer, and others will support those willing to trade.
Beyond those coming to see and learn, the Expo will be structured around the following ultimate directory breakdown, highlighting the assets of doing global trade in the American heartland across three important pillars.
A) The Ultimate Attendee Directory Breakdown
1. Buyers & Delegations (The "Demand" Side)
The local, regional, and global purchasing power attending will include some of the following:
- US traditional B2B (Business-to-business): Commercial sellers, corporate buyers, internal buying groups, and digital marketplaces.
- Foreign Trade Delegations: Commercial attachés, international trade ministers, and purchasing delegations from key trading partners (e.g., Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Africa).
- Global Distributors & Brokers: Customs brokers, international sourcing agents, and global supply chain executives looking to import U.S. goods.
- Foreign Government Buyers: Representatives sourcing infrastructure, defense equipment, agricultural technology, and enterprise software.
2. Export-Ready Exhibitors & Manufacturers (The "Supply" Side)
The 16 focus industry sectors of this expo can be grouped into these 5 high-impact export categories:
- Advanced Tech & Aerospace: Companies specializing in Aerospace, AI, Defense, Biotechnology, and Technology. This includes drone manufacturers, avionics suppliers, and software developers connected to OKC's major aerospace hub.
- Energy & Manufacturing: Industrial innovators in Energy, Oil & Gas, and Manufacturing showcasing heavy machinery, smart-grid technology, and specialized extraction equipment.
- AgTech & Food Security: Producers and innovators in Agriculture showcasing raw commodities, precision farming tools, and processed food technologies.
- Professional Services & Infrastructure: Firms representing Banking, Law, Logistics, Education, and Services that facilitate global trade (e.g., international trade attorneys, cargo logistics giants, export financiers).
- Creative Exports: Studios and galleries representing Art & Culture, showcasing Oklahoma’s unique heritage, indigenous art, and creative industries to international cultural buyers.
3. Trade Enablers & Government (The "Support" Side)
The institutional backbone that helps deals get finalized at the OKC fairgrounds includes:
- Federal Agencies: Representatives from the U.S. Commercial Service, Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
- State & Local Agencies: The Oklahoma Department of Commerce, international trade councils, and regional chambers of commerce.
B) Global Trade in the American Heartland
The Inaugural OkIP Trade Expo is the premier launchpad for global trade in the American heartland. You will connect with:
- 150+ Export-Ready Exhibitors: Cutting-edge companies across 16 focus industries, including Aerospace, Energy, AgTech, and AI, ready to fulfill international contracts.
- Buyers & Delegates: Local, regional, and international procurement officers, foreign trade delegations, and global distributors looking to source American products and services.
- Trade Enablers: Experts from federal, state, and private financial institutions (including EXIM and the U.S. Commercial Service) to help navigate compliance, logistics, and trade financing.
C) OkIP Expo Important 3 Pillars
- The Buyers: Local, Regional, and Global Distributors, Sourcing Agents, Foreign Trade Delegations.
- The Sellers: 16 Core Industries spanning Aerospace, Energy, Manufacturing, and Agriculture.
- The Facilitators: State/Federal Agencies, International Logistics Providers, Trade Attorneys, Export Banks.