For Immediate Release
[Greenville, South Carolina]
June 9th, 2023
GLOBAL UPSTATE CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS ANNOUNCES 2023 KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Upstate International and World Affairs Council Upstate are pleased to announce that Bob Chapman, Chairman and CEO of Barry-Wehmiller, will be the distinguished keynote speaker of the upcoming Global Upstate Conference on International Business and World Affairs. The event will take place on October 3rd and 4th, 2023 at the City of Greer Event Hall & the Cannon Center, and promises to be a thought-provoking gathering of international business leaders, scholars, and community members.
Bob Chapman’s visionary leadership tactics have garnered extensive recognition, including being named Tharseō CEO of the Year by the Society for Human Resource Management, ranking as the #3 CEO in the world in an Inc. publication titled “The World’s 10 Top CEOs (They Lead in a Totally Unique Way)”, and being placed among the Top 10 Social Capital CEOs by the International Business Times.
As the driving force behind Barry-Wehmiller, a global capital equipment and engineering solutions company with 12,000+ team members, Chapman has defied conventional management practices with a people-centric approach known as Truly Human Leadership. Under his guidance, Barry-Wehmiller has experienced remarkable growth with over 120 successful acquisitions.
Chapman’s unique leadership philosophy inspired his 2015 Wall Street Journal bestseller, Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family, co-authored by Raj Sisodia. The book has captivated readers worldwide with its profound message and transcended language barriers with translations in eight languages.
In this work, Mr. Chapman perfectly summarized his belief that effective leadership transcends mere management of employees as a collective: “Once you stop treating people like functions or costs, disengaged workers begin to share their gifts and talents toward a shared future. Uninspired workers stop feeling that their jobs have no meaning.” This revolutionary strategy has resonated with leaders worldwide, igniting a movement that seeks to redefine success by valuing individuals above all else.
Beyond his transformative work within Barry-Wehmiller, Chapman and his wife Cynthia established the Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities in 2013, extending the success of their Listen Like a Leader training outside the company. In 2015, the Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute was founded, offering culture transformation and leadership training to businesses.
Chapman has graced prestigious stages around the globe, such as the United Nations Global Compact Transforming Education Summit, Brazil’s Virtuous Leadership Conference, and the Aspen Ideas Festival. His ability to merge strong business strategy with care for people has highlighted the powerful synergy between creating value and nurturing individuals.
“The Global Upstate Conference on International Business and World Affairs is honored to have Bob Chapman as our keynote speaker,” said Tracie Frese, Executive Director at the World Affairs Council Upstate and Upstate International. “His creation of a people-centered approach to business aligns perfectly with our mission to foster cross-cultural understanding and engagement. We believe his insights will inspire our attendees to positively impact their own organizations and the Upstate community.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear Bob Chapman share his inspiring story, offering a glimpse into the future of leadership and the limitless possibilities of integrating compassion and purpose into the building of business. Learn more about Mr. Chapman and the other top-notch speakers for the Global Upstate Conference HERE.
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About Upstate International
Upstate International is a 501(c)(3) organization empowering global people and businesses to thrive in the Upstate by connecting them through programs, events, and initiatives fostering exchange of international cultures and ideas. Our World Affairs Council Upstate is dedicated to fostering a deep understanding of foreign affairs, international business, and global education.. https://upstateinternational.org/
Click here to visit the Conference website.
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Follow Us:
Visit: www.upstateinternational.org
Media Contacts:
Tracie Frese, Executive Director, Upstate International, 864-631-2188, tracie@upstateinternational.org
For Immediate Release
March 22th, 2023
UPSTATE INTERNATIONAL LAUNCHES THE “25 FOR 25” FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN IN CELEBRATION OF ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY
[Upstate, SC]
Greenville, South Carolina – Upstate International* is excited to announce the launch of its “25 for 25″ fundraising campaign in celebration of its 25th anniversary. The campaign aims to establish a Founder’s Fund with a goal of raising $25,000 to support the organization’s Language School and language services.
Like many other organizations, Upstate International has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a 45+ percent reduction in students and teachers, as well as a loss of in-person event income for almost two years. However, requests for services and classes are now on the rise, and scholarship-based English classes and low-cost international language classes are more needed than ever.
To support the organization in continuing to provide much-needed language services and classes to the community, Upstate International is establishing a Founder’s Fund. The fund will cover material costs, teacher pay, scholarships, and staffing for UI’s Language School and language services.
“We have given Greenville a wonderful international organization full of talent and opportunities,” said the founders of Upstate International, Monique Glass and G. Donald Gibbins. “We believe this 25th Anniversary is the perfect opportunity to celebrate what has been accomplished and to support the UI Team! We hope you will join us in funding this important and impactful initiative for a Thriving Global Upstate. Contributions can be made in cash, by credit card, PayPal, and by check. We are most grateful for any contribution.”
Check contributions can be made out to Upstate International and mailed to UI at 9 South Memminger St., Greenville, SC 29601.
Donations via credit card can be made at the following link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=WL99W9D74J3PS
Upstate International is a 501 (C) 3 and contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
*About Upstate International
Founded in 1998, Upstate International is a 501(c)(3) organization that empowers people and businesses of all nations to thrive in the Upstate by connecting them through programs, events, and initiatives that foster the dynamic exchange of international cultures and ideas. World Affairs Council Upstate, a program of Upstate International, is dedicated to fostering a deep understanding of global affairs and cultures. As an affiliate of the World Affairs Councils of America, Upstate International is part of the largest grassroots organization in the United States that inspires, educates, and eng
Media Contacts:
Tracie Frese, Executive Director, Upstate International, 864-631-2188, tracie@upstateinternational.org
For Immediate Release
March 1st, 2023
JOIN UPSTATE INTERNATIONAL IN CELEBRATING WORLD CULTURES
RIGHT HERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA
[Upstate, SC]
For the 11th year, March is welcoming Upstate International Month!
Throughout the year Upstate International continuously shares about various international and cultural-related activities happening in the Upstate. Upstate International is a small team with a broad mission, and March is the month we chose to go the extra mile to highlight the Diversity in our region. We believe that together we can make a more inclusive and welcoming Upstate to everyone, and an important part of our work is to show our community HOW BEAUTIFUL DIVERSITY IS. The reason why the City of Greenville officially proclaimed every March as Upstate International Month is clear to us: our community breathes culture, welcomes the new, and embraces our differences – and UI is very proud to be an important part of that!
Since its inception in 2013, every month of March has been filled with 100s of internationally-themed public events, including colorful international parties, art receptions, theater performances, film screenings, global education programs, and opportunities to experience exciting culture and culinary creations from around the world. This thirty-one-day March celebration of world cultures started TODAY with “Anthems of the World” at noon when the Clemson Carillonneurs students rang out anthems from over 10 different countries.
In 2022, over 60 organizations across the Upstate have partnered with Upstate International to present globally-themed community events such as the international coffee and cuisine tastings, university lectures on global issues, internationally themed musical performances, film/documentary screenings, bi-lingual story times, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, international cooking classes, dance performances and lessons, international trivia night, artists receptions and wine tastings, and so much more.
Upstate International invites all companies across South Carolina to join them in celebrating the different cultures around the globe. A full UI Month calendar is kept with cultural and internationally-related events happening in the region, and all companies are invited to join it. Companies and individuals are encouraged to add one or more international and cultural activities to their March calendar, and to share about it with Upstate International. This is a FREE OF CHARGE PARTNERSHIP, not incurring any costs to participating companies while helping to celebrate the wonderful diversity in our community.
Participating companies are welcome to support this initiative by co-branding their March activities with Upstate International, by adding our Fun on a Global Scale UI Month logo to their marketing materials.
To download the Fun on a Global Scale UI Month logo, click here.
To share March events with Upstate International, please click here.
To check the full UIM calendar of events (more being added every day!), please click here.
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WHAT: Upstate International is inviting all of the Upstate South Carolina to join Upstate International Month, a month-long program of internationally themed events designed to highlight, promote, and celebrate the rich international and cultural diversity we all share in and benefit from living in the Upstate.
WHEN: March 1-31, 2023
HOW: UI encourages everyone to attend UIM-related activities throughout the Upstate, and all companies in the Upstate to host one or more international or cultural-related activities to their March calendar, in a way to celebrate diversity. Participant companies will be shared thoroughly on UI’s website, social media, tv and radio spots – a great way to put your brand on the spot! Companies are also encouraged to co-brand their events by adding the Upstate International Month Fun on a Global Scale logo to their marketing collateral. The logo is available at this link:https://tinyurl.com/uimonthlogo. Companies can share their March events at this link: https://tinyurl.com/uimonth2023
COST: this is a FREE OF CHARGE PARTNERSHIP, not incurring any costs while helping celebrate diversity in our community.
About Upstate International
Founded in 1998, Upstate International is a 501(c)(3) organization that empowers people and businesses of all nations to thrive in the Upstate by connecting them through programs, events and initiatives that foster the dynamic exchange of international cultures and ideas. World Affairs Council Upstate, a program of Upstate International, is dedicated to fostering a deep understanding of global affairs and cultures. As an affiliate of World Affairs Councils of America, Upstate International is part of the largest grassroots organization in the United States that inspires, educates, and engages Americans in the international affairs and the critical global issues of our times.
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Follow Us:
Visit: www.upstateinternational.org
Media Contacts:
Tracie Frese, Executive Director, Upstate International, 864-631-2188, tracie@upstateinternational.org