As Swedish and American business executives and entrepreneurs prepare for the EDays business matchmaking events in September in “cool” Stockholm, others are preparing the way for a similar business matchmaking to take place in “hot” Savannah in April 2009. That’s Savannah as in Georgia!
SACC-Georgia arrives in Stockholm with a delegation of over 20 participants ranging from Swedish corporate executives based in Georgia to development agencies, law firms, technology incubators, and university representatives. And it’s all about making sure that “Georgia is on Your Mind!” The delegation will be led by Jim Blair, Business Development Manager at Georgia Economic Development and Mee Linden, Executive Director of SACC-Georgia.
Earlier this year SACC-USA selected Savannah as the venue for the next EDays in the USA. Delegates and participants at the Savannah EDays in 2009 will be surprised by what they find in this historical colonial port city, the first permanent European settlement in Georgia. Established in the early 18th century as a bulwark against the Spanish colony of Florida to defend the valuable English colonies like Carolina and Virginia, Georgia and Savannah have changed dramatically and now welcome foreign visitors and business executives from around the world. Georgia is home to some 1,800 international companies, including over 50 Swedish firms. Electrolux, Husqvarna, Thomas Betong and Elekta have headquarter operations in Georgia. Well-known groups like SKF, Ericsson, Skanska and SCA are present, but also mid-sized firms like Skaltek, PartnerTech, Noss Cardo, Alimak, Cint and SmartTrust.
Savannah, with a metro population of some 350,000, has the fastest growing container port in the USA. Now the 4th largest port in America, the goal is to become the #1 port within 10 years. Savannah is home to the innovative Savannah College of Art and Design, SCAD,a launching post for young architects, designers, creative talent for film-makers and video game designers. Gulfstream is headquartered in Savannah and designs and manufactures most of its corporate jets there. There will be further surprises in store in Savannah as the EDays event will bring the Swedish-American business community down to the coast as well for 3 days of serious business match-making.
When in Stockholm, be “Cool”. Because next year you’ll want to be “Hot” in Savannah!
Setterwalls, a respected law firm with close ties to a Georgia-based law firm, will host a reception with several Georgia partner organizations to celebrate the Stockholm EDays and launch the challenge to corporate Sweden to come to Savannah in April 2009. |
