As Korean SMEs look to secure stronger footholds in global markets, the United States is emerging as one of the most strategic destinations for expansion. Building on $49.9M in contracts signed at the Atlanta convention earlier this year, the Korea Federation of SMEs (KBIZ) is taking the next step with the K-Goods Fair 2026 in Las Vegas, creating a direct platform for exports, partnerships, and U.S. market entry.

KBIZ and KACCUSA Sign Agreement to Support Korean SMEs in the U.S.

The Korea Federation of SMEs (KBIZ) announced plans to host the K-Goods Fair 2026 in Las Vegas following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on August 29 in Las Vegas with the Korean American Chamber of Commerce USA (KACCUSA).

The exhibition, scheduled for the second half of 2026, will take place in Las Vegas, a global hub that annually hosts major events such as CES. Under the agreement, KBIZ and KACCUSA will collaborate on all aspects of preparation, including company recruitment, promotion, and buyer engagement.

The signing ceremony gathered KBIZ Chairman Kim Ki-moon, KACCUSA Chairman Hwang Byung-gu, senior executives from both sides, and more than 150 Korean-American business leaders, including representatives from 78 regional Korean chambers of commerce across the U.S.

Building on Atlanta’s $49.9M in On-Site Contracts

The agreement builds on the momentum of the 23rd World Korean Business Convention, co-hosted in Atlanta this past April, where Korean SMEs showcased products in sectors such as K-beauty and K-food. The event resulted in on-site contracts worth $49.9 million (approximately ₩69 billion), reaffirming the competitiveness of Korean consumer goods in the U.S.

This result underscored the importance of creating direct platforms for Korean SMEs to meet local buyers and consumers. Both KBIZ and KACCUSA see the upcoming Las Vegas exhibition as a gateway for more SMEs to expand their presence in one of Korea’s fastest-growing export markets.

U.S. Entry Programs and Strategic Partnerships

Alongside the exhibition, KBIZ will expand practical support programs for SMEs preparing to enter the U.S. market.

This includes briefing sessions and strategy seminars held in cooperation with major Korean-American companies and institutions such as Hanmi Bank, Herb Chunha, law firm LBBS, and the City of Garden Grove.

On September 19, KBIZ will host a U.S. Market Entry Briefing Session at its headquarters in Seoul, followed by a U.S. Entry Strategy Seminar during the Jeju Leaders Forum on September 24.

These initiatives are designed to equip SMEs with practical strategies for overcoming regulatory, financial, and consumer-market challenges when entering the U.S.

K-Goods Fair 2026: Strengthening Korean SMEs and Startups Global Expansion

The U.S. has become one of the most important destinations for Korean SME exports, with steady annual growth despite global trade uncertainties and tariff pressures. K-Goods Fair 2026 in Las Vegas marks a deliberate expansion of KBIZ’s overseas initiatives, aligned with Korea’s efforts to diversify export pathways.

Chairman Kim Ki-moon emphasized the significance of the event, noting:

“Through the 2023 Anaheim and 2025 Atlanta World Korean Business Conventions, we confirmed both the strength of Korean products and their popularity in the U.S. market. The United States is a crucial and growing market for Korean SME exports.

We ask for the active cooperation of overseas Korean business leaders to ensure that the K-Goods Fair 2026 becomes a new gateway of opportunity for our SMEs.”

Expanding Korean Innovation Across Consumer Sectors in U.S. Market

Ultimately, the K-Goods Fair 2026 in Las Vegas serves a structured gateway into the U.S. economy for Korea’s SME and startup ecosystem. It also reflects KBIZ’s drive to expand global opportunities through collaboration with diaspora networks, international trade platforms, and institutional partners.

Working alongside KACCUA and Korean-American business leaders, K-Goods Fair 2026 in Las Vegas is set to expand the footprint of Korean innovation across consumer sectors — from K-beauty and K-food to emerging products poised for global markets.

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