Oh, No! I Forgot a Photo!

Q: I forgot to take a photograph of my booth at a trade show, and now I need proof of performance to be reimbursed for the activity. Is there any way I can still meet the Branded proof of performance requirements and receive funds for the show?

A: Companies are required to submit a photograph of the products displayed in the booth at the trade show. Photos must also clearly show the required U.S. origin identification. Therefore, it is important the Branded Department has photographs when reviewing expenses because of the following:

• Many times companies are listed in the trade show catalog or an empty booth is present at the show, but the company decided not to exhibit after all.
• A company may be promoting brands or products that are not listed in their approved Branded application. When this occurs, expenses must be prorated.

Large Company

Q: What if I am promoting products for a large company? Can they apply for MAP Branded funds?

A: Most large companies do not meet the Small Business Administration (SBA) guidelines that are used to determine whether a company qualifies for the Branded program. However, a small company can apply for funding to promote a large company's products. You would have to provide the Brand Owner Permission form, signed by the owner of the brand, to SUSTA with your MAP Branded application.

Brand Owner Permission

Q: If I sign the Brand Owner Permission form in the MAP Branded application, will this give the company applying for Branded funds the right to sell my products?

A: The Brand Owner Permission form does not give the applicant company the exclusive right to sell products. The form only certifies that the company will promote the products in the country markets listed in their application for MAP Branded funding.

Not Brand Owner

Q: What if my company does not own the products I am promoting?



A: If your company does not own the brand name products you are promoting, you must have the owner(s) of the branded products sign the Brand Owner Permission Form in SUSTA's Branded Application (www.susta.org/services/map_application.html). The original signatures of the brand owner(s) and the applicant company are required on file when applying for MAP Branded funds.