Trade Missions - Université Laval

This program trains students to represent a Canadian business.

We provide you with professional-level training throughout the school year to prepare you to undertake a trade or recruitment mission.

You then travel in one of our targeted markets with a team of ambitious and talented individuals from various backgrounds, all motivated to live a one-of-a-kind experience.

Université Laval’s Trade Missions program is one of only few of its kind in the world

Its practical aspect and the resulting field experience represent added value to any university curriculum. All participants agree that the program has made it possible for them to develop confidence, communications and interpersonal skills, abilities and a network that will be instrumental in their careers, whether in international trade or another domain.

The development officer experience consists of representing a Canadian business as part of a 2-week trade mission in Québec. During your mission, you will have to meet with a wide range of potential business partners in Québec. By doing so, you support your client company in developing business relationships and expanding.

2 courses worth 3 credits each.

The program is made of several elements, so involvement varies from week to week. If the student allocates their working time well, they will devote an average of 14-15 hours per week to the program, broken down as follows:

• (1h / week) Sales follow-up meetings: An opportunity to follow up on the sale of mandates to companies in your province
  • On Tuesday mornings from 7 to 8 am (BC time) / 8 to 9 am (Alberta time) / 10 to 11 am (Quebec and Ontario time)
  • From October 22^nd to December 17^th (in the winter semester, this will be combined with training sessions)
• (2h / week) Training sessions: 12 to 14 x 2-hour sessions on various business development topics
  • First in-person training on October 26 and 27
  • Fall: A few Wednesdays from 1 to 3 pm (BC time) / 2 to 4 pm (Alberta time) / 4 to 6 pm (Quebec and Ontario time)
  • Winter : Tuesdays from 1 to 3 pm (BC time) / 2 to 4 pm (Alberta time) / 4 to 6 pm (Quebec and Ontario time)
    • From January 7^th to April 29^th
• (9h / week) Sales activities (prospecting, cold calls and business meetings)
  • 3 hours of research / preparation (can be done where and when the student wants)
  • 4 hours of cold call / cold email / LinkedIn approaches to get meetings (will be done 1 week out of 2 in person, on campus)
  • 2 hours of business meetings (some in person, some virtual)
    • It ends on February 28^th
• (2h / week) Personal work (academic and for the client company)
  • A few moments of work for the client company will be carried out directly at the client company's office in order to familiarise with the companyer.

Trade Mission to Montreal and Quebec City: May 4th to 17th

Payment of university/school credits related to the 2 mandatory courses to ULaval.

The registration fee per student is $2,200 and includes :

• Tuition
• Lodging, in a hotel, double occupancy or in University residence
• Welcoming event
• Networking cocktails with prospects
• Closing ceremony
• Public transit passes

It excludes :

• *** Lunches and dinners
• *** Transportation to Quebec
• Visa (if needed- normally not necessary)
• Insurances
• Personal expenses
• Possible transport to business meetings in the greater Quebec City and Montréal areas

*** If the student finds a client company to represent, willing to pay the participation fee established by the Trade Missions team and carries out a trade mission deemed satisfactory by the Trade Mission team and the client company, the student's trade mission expense account may be reimbursed up to a maximum of $1,800 (meals and airfare) upon proof of expenses (invoices).

Students in all programs and academic levels who show an interest in international business and demonstrate independence, proactiveness and determination. The quality of the academic record will be considered.

While the program is in Québec, knowledge of French is not required.