Have you been wanting to expand globally or do more business outside of the United States? But maybe you just haven’t been able to afford that trip to meet with potential business partners or establish crucial face time with prospective customers overseas?
Well, today may be your lucky day — here’s your chance to take action and make that all-important international meeting happen.
As part of its Face to Face program, British Airways is holding an entrepreneurial competition, with the chance to win free international airline tickets to help you do business globally. Some 250 small business owners will win international airfare to anywhere British Airways flies. And the top 3 video entrants will have the opportunity to present their pitch to a celebrity panel, and the grand prize winner gets 10 international airline tickets — enough for multiple trips or to take some of your team along.
To enter, all you need to do is answer this question:
“If you could travel to any city outside the United States to grow your business, where would you go and how would the trip help meet your business objectives?”
You can enter with a video of 1 to 3 minutes or with a written essay of 300-500 words. You also have to include at least one business tip in your entry. Enter online here.
Special Kick Off Event for New Yorkers on Tuesday
As a special event for those of you in New York, come to Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal on September 14, 2010 starting at 7am. You can enter the contest right there if you like, on your way to the office. I’ll be there for much of the day with British Airways. I am told there will be a mock elevator set up where you can video tape your entry with your elevator pitch for why you need an international meeting to further your business. Look for me and Rhonda Abrams, Steve Strauss and other small business experts. We’re on the Advisory Panel — and we’ll be on hand with some speed counseling to help perfect your pitch before you record it.
Also there on Tuesday at Grand Central will be Bill Rancic, first season winner of The Apprentice.
So please stop in and say hello on Tuesday if you’re near Grand Central!
Check the Contest Rules
The competition is open through October 21, 2010, for legal residents of the United States holding a valid passport. As we always remind you for competitions like this, please check the official rules! We merely provide a brief summary for your convenience. The complete details are at the Face of Opportunity contest website.
Anita,
This is such a cool contest!
It sounds like your day in New York will be a blast. Enjoy yourself, and wish all the entrepreneurs that will be pitching, the best of luck!
The Franchise King
This is a great opportunity. I purchased the JetBlue All-You-Can-Jet pass and will be using it to make a couple face-to-face visits with business contacts in the US. I’ve already made on such visit and it was fantastic. If you’re looking to get some international clients this is a fantastic opportunity (and don’t forget to give yourself an extra day or so on the trip for a little recreation time).
A great opportunity for entrepenors!
“themarketingmanager.com.au” have done something similar (without the funding with airlines) and worked from Australia into China.
The idea to expand and reach new potential markets is amazing. With the right contacts and business partnership, this is definately a great achievement from a marketing perspective for both America, British Airways as well as the new country of desire.
Good luck to those who get the chance, it’s definitely a great way to do business.
We’re always interested in these activities working with other countries.