Global business and trade

Kansas City’s accomplishments on the world stage and in the global marketplace have positioned Kansas City as a major player in international affairs, trade and economic development. The City’s global outreach is expanding with the development of its international business and trade relationships in existing as well as new markets throughout the world. Because of its central location and the growth of trade, especially with Canada and Mexico, Kansas City is recognized as “the North American hub” for transportation, logistics and distribution.

Kansas City is also recognized as the number one rail center in the U.S. by tonnage, the largest Foreign Trade Zone space at over 10,000 acres and as one of a few U.S. cities intersecting three major interstate highways. (I-35, I-29, I-70). Kansas City is indeed cementing its position as a crossroads of international business in North America and the world.

Through efforts led and coordinated by the City Manager’s Office of International Affairs and Trade and its partners, Kansas City’s achievements on the world stage and in the global marketplace have positioned Kansas City as a major player in international affairs, trade and economic development.

It has been at the forefront of activity as Mexico expanded its deep-water Pacific ports, cities in Canada stepped up transportation discussions and Asian markets looked for shortcuts to avoid congestion at ports on the US west coast. With Kansas City as a world class transportation, logistics and distribution hub--Canada, Mexico, Asia and other points across the globe unite efforts to help businesses receive and ship products in a timely and secure manner.

The International Affairs and Trade Office assists the city’s international business development through the following trade opportunities and programs.

Trade missions
Trade missions consist of two to three days of pre-arranged, pre-scheduled, in-country, one-on-one business appointments. These missions are usually comprised of three to five Kansas City businesses. Each company has a separate agenda, prepared specially by our team and its partners according to its needs and goals in the specific country. A fee is charged per mission delegate with discounts for multiple company participants.

Casa Kansas City
The City established the Casa Kansas City program in May 2006. This initiative program is based in Guadalajara, Mexico’s second largest city. The program sets the basis for Kansas City’s entrepreneurial endeavors to help businesses move into the Mexico market and to assist Mexico businesses to build relationships with Kansas City. This program focus is on small to mid-sized businesses and is designed to promote business development and create jobs on both sides of the border.

Business match-making (form)
Looking for a distributor in Canada or Mexico? Through its numerous contacts in these two countries, the City of Kansas City, Mo., can assist small and medium-sized Kansas City businesses in identifying potential partners in theses two major export destinations. Fill out the form to indicate your interest.

Official missions
These missions consist of a group of Kansas City business and government delegates on an official visit to a foreign country. The agenda is the same for the entire group, although one-on-one meetings with potential local partners can be arranged on a case by case basis. Kansas City medium to large size business that are already active in the country find these missions very useful, as they provide them with high-level contacts within the visited community or region.