International trade missions provide invaluable first-hand experience in potential global markets. A group of interested company representatives travels with the WTC Wisconsin to understand the nuances and details of doing business in a particular international marketplace. Business matchmaking by the World Trade Center offices allows for face-to-face meetings that can make a world of difference in closing a deal, while direct accounts of different cultures, practices, and market atmosphere can provide more confidence to companies expanding globally. The WTC Wisconsin utilizes its connections to 750,000 member companies worldwide to tap local companies into this network of enormous potential. Missions are run several times a year, and include / have included general business missions to India, China and Eastern Europe, a Governmental Affairs / Lobbying Mission to the EU (Brussels, Belgium), and an industry specific biotechnology/ biochemistry mission to France & Belgium.