Entrepreneurs Soaring to New Heights in International Markets

According to government statistics, 95 % of the world's consumers are outside the United States. With so much opportunity outside our domestic borders, many businesses are eager to tap the global marketplace. But doing business internationally is expensive and risky. Therefore, only a small percentage of small firms are involved in exporting.

British Airways is hoping to change those numbers by helping small businesses open international markets. How? By flying 250 small businesses to any destination in the world the airline flies. Sounds too good to be true, right?

It's a campaign British Airways launched in 2010 called the Face of Opportunity program. Small businesses enter a contest to win the free flight by posting a short video or essay online. The winners were selected by a panel of expert judges.

During the recession, businesses of all sizes tried to control costs by managing meetings via phone, email or video conferencing. However, we all know it is much easier to close a deal and build relationships in person.

"In the depths of the recession we lost site of the value of meeting face-to-face," says Simon Talling-Smith, British Airways Executive Vice President, Americas. "Small businesses were looking for ways to cut costs and so they were using other forms of meetings. We believe this is misjudgment in saving money. In order to grow you have to go and be there because your competitor most likely is there."

From the 250 winners, three lucky business owners were selected by their peers to compete for the grand prize consisting of 10 business-class trips anywhere in the world they want to do business. And the winner is: Adam Braun, founder and executive director of Pencils of Promise. Braun was selected by a celebrity panel of judges including Bill Rancic, winner of the first season of Donald Trump's The Apprentice, Barbara Corcoran, New York real estate mogul and judge on Shark Tank, and Skinny Girl Margarita creator Betheny Frankel.

The final competition was part of a one-day business conference in New York City attended by all the winners. Business experts presented informative sessions to help the business owners enhance their growth opportunities.

After the New York conference, the entire group flew in a dedicated 747 to London for more educational sessions before they embracked on their separate business journeys.

Talling-Smith says the flight to London is like nothing you've ever seen before. "You don't see people reading, sleeping or watching a movie. Everyone is up in the aisles networking the entire 7 hours in flight," he explains.

"We are very excited for the 250 small business owners who, beyond the educational resources already provided through the Face-to-Face program, now have the opportunity to fly British Airways overseas to conduct vital face-to-face meetings for their business," said Simon Talling-Smith. "Each of the winner's stories is uniquely inspiring and our hope is that the program is a powerful catalyst in ensuring lasting and fruitful businesses for them."

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This is the second year British Airways has sponsored this event, and when I asked about next year, Talling-Smith told me they are planning to do it again. So if you want to be one win an opportunity to expand your business overseas, watch for more upcoming information.