English UK has secured Department for International Trade (DIT) Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP) support UK educators participating in one of two upcoming industry B2B events. There are eight grants available for the ICEF Dubai Workshop (11-13 February 2019) and a further eight for The ICEF Mexico-Colombia Roadshow (4-8 March 2019).

DIT, via TAP, provides funding in the form of grants to subsidise the attendance of eligible at overseas trade shows. There is a TAP calendar of supported events, with an accredited Trade Challenge Partner (TCP) leading the UK's involvement at, and coordinating the grants for, each event. English UK is TCP for both ICEF Dubai and The ICEF Mexico-Colombia Roadshow.

At each event, the eight grant funded educators will be located together in one area in an 'Education is GREAT' branded village. Each approved educator may claim back £2,000 against the cost of participating. If you are successful, English UK will claim the grant on your behalf after the relevant event and will pay this to you within three weeks of receiving the payment from DIT.

Eligibility criteria

Educators who are based in the UK, are small or medium-sized enterprises, UK universities or UK government funded centres of higher or further learning and are either new/sustaining or growing exporters are eligible for this grant.

The central principle of this DIT funding is that it should make something happen that would not otherwise happen. Therefore, you do not meet the grant eligibility criteria if you've already confirmed your attend at the event or are a habitual attendee (e.g. a regular past attendee and/or an organisation who has attended in in the last five years).

Please familarise yourself with the full TAP scheme eligiblity criteria and the terms and conditions, digesting the Exhibitors Agreement 2018-2019 and the application form before deciding whether you are eligible to apply.

Participating in ICEF Dubai

The ICEF Dubai Workshop is the region's leading event for networking with student recruitment agents from the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Turkey. 166 agencies from across the region attended in 2018.

Educators at the event book a table with one or more representatives who have access to the Marcom e-Schedule PRO online meeting booking system, allowing them to arrange up to 36 one-to-one meetings with study abroad agents.

The full price of an educator table including one representative is €3900 (£3480), based on the early booking rate valid until 31 August.

Participating in The ICEF Mexico-Colombia Roadshow

The ICEF Mexico – Colombia Roadshow is the most efficient and cost-effective way to meet face-to-face with a large number of quality agents from these two key markets; it is a must for educators who want to connect, build and maintain long-term partnerships in both Mexico and Colombia.

The event is split between Mexico City and Bogota and all educators attend both destinations. They book a table with one or more representatives who have access to the Marcom e-Schedule PRO online meeting booking system, allowing them to arrange up to 38 (19 per location) one-to-one meetings with study abroad agents.

In addition to these pre-scheduled business meetings, the roadshow programme also includes meals, refreshment breaks and two dinner functions, which offer valuable networking opportunities. Please note the flight between the two destinations is not included.

The full price of an educator table including one representative is €4300 (£3480), based on the early booking rate valid until 31 August.

More information about these events

If you would like more information about the participation options at any ICEF event, email Nick Stevenson at nstevenson@icef.com or visit www.icef.com/workshops.

Why apply for a TAP grant?

For each event, the eight educators approved for a TAP Grant can each claim back £2000 against the cost of their participation fees.

The tables booked with TAP support will be in an Education is GREAT branded village, helping to maximise exposure.

Education is GREAT is also the Gold Sponsor. The additional branding before, during and after these events will help further raise the profile of both those educators present and destination UK as a whole.

How to apply

Email Roz Rozidor at roz.rozidor@englishuk.com, before 09:00 on 15 August, if you're interested in applying for a grant and being part of the English UK village at ICEF Dubai and/or Mexico-Colombia.

Please ensure you specify which event(s) you are interested in, and prior to emailing, do check that your centre meets the TAP eligibility criteria (see above) - all expressions of interest received will be screened.

After the closing date, to ensure fairness in selection, the eight places at each event will be allocated through a draw of all eligible potential applicants. The draw will be performed using an online random number generator.

On 16 August you will be notified whether you have been successful.