Eleven South Korean SMEs participated in the "2026 Surf Expo," held from September 16 to 18 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

The Federation of Korean-American Chambers of Commerce USA (Chairman Hwang Byung-goo) participated in the "2026 Surf Expo"—held from September 16 to 18 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida—alongside 11 domestic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Established in 1976, Surf Expo is a B2B trade show showcasing products related to surfing and marine sports. Unlike general exhibitions, it is not open to the general public and is restricted to qualified retail buyers and industry professionals. It takes place annually in January and September in Orlando, USA.

This September exhibition featured over 600 exhibitors, with around 6,000 buyers from all 50 U.S. states and 52 countries overseas pre-registering.

According to the Federation of Korean-American Chambers of Commerce USA (hereafter referred to as the Federation), 11 South Korean SMEs specializing in the manufacturing of sunblock, color cosmetics, and ice boxes participated, achieving export consultations worth approximately $2.38 million. The Federation recruited participating domestic companies last July, provided on-site interpretation support, and introduced local marketing specialized firms at the expo.

Additionally, the Federation connected the companies with regional chambers of commerce to help them meet local buyers. South Korea's Ministry of SMEs and Startups provided approximately 8.5 million won in financial support to each domestic company participating in the expo.

Orlando, where this Surf Expo was held, is also where Federation Chairman Hwang Byung-goo operates his business. Operating an orchid farm in Orlando, Florida, he also serves as the chairperson of the steering committee for the 2026 Global Korean Business Convention, scheduled to be held from September 28 to 30 at Songdo Convensia in Incheon.

Chairman Hwang emphasized, "The U.S. market is vast, and with different characteristics across regions and distribution channels, having a good product alone is not enough to succeed. The greatest asset of the Federation is the experience and network of Korean-American businesspeople who have built their businesses firsthand across various regions of the United States."

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