 A Teesside firm's ambitions to expand into Europe have now earned it an award. Eaglescliffe-based CEM Event Management went to Brussels earlier this year to explore opportunities. Following the success of the Trade Partners UK Export Explorer trip they are now tendering for work overseas. And the firm has picked up the Exporter of the Month award, an initiative organised by the Middlesbrough-based team from Trade Partners UK. Joint managing director Carol Hodgson said: "To be able to go to Brussels was a real opportunity. "We've made lots of good contacts and have put in for a few tenders. "If one comes off it will be our first export success. But really the world's our oyster." The company has already scored success. On the back of the trip it tendered to join the European Commission's list of preferred suppliers for joint interpreting and conferencing. The firm has now successfully joined the list. CEM Event Management is hoping to work with clients overseas - as well as bring them to Teesside. "There's an awful lot of support out there for people looking to break into export," Ms Hodgson added. "Once you go overseas and start talking to people it doesn't seem quite such a big deal." She added: "Initially we are looking at the European market - but work could take us all over the place. "One of the jobs we're tendering for at the moment is with the European Commission - but is for something taking place in Kuala Lumpur." TPUK is a Government organisation set up to help firms do business overseas. The monthly winner of its award receives a bottle of champagne. Andrew Tanner, TPUK's senior international trade adviser at Business Link Tees Valley, said: "They have been chosen on the back of their successful Export Explorer trip to Brussels. "The company is now tendering for business at the European Commission and has also formed strategic alliances with contacts in Belgium and is looking to develop the Belgium market." * For details of the Export of the Month award, call 01642 341430. | 
