Global Upstate Conference

On International Business and Foreign Affairs

OCTOBER 3RD AND 4TH, 2023

CITY OF GREER EVENT HALL AND THE CANNON CENTRE

301 E Poinsett St, Greer, South Carolina

A Global Affairs Mastermind in South Carolina

LEARN GLOBAL, NETWORK LOCAL | South Carolina, including the world

The 2023 Global Upstate Conference, presented by the World Affairs Council Upstate and hosted at the City of Greer Event Hall and the Cannon Centre, is an interdisciplinary event that will bring scholars and leaders together for serious and thoughtful discussions about the most pressing issues and opportunities facing the world. Over the course of two days in October 2023, the conference will host representatives of different international companies, government agencies, national think-tanks, universities, the military, non-governmental organizations, and many more.

conference attendees
  • Visionary Leadership
  • Company Culture and Impact to Productivity
  • Global Trade in the Upstate – Infrastructure
  • Global Trade in the Upstate – Supply Chain Trends and Regulatory Influences
  • India Today
  • Integrating and Leveraging Immigrant Workforce
  • Cybersecurity
  • Who are you doing business with? – Responsible sourcing
  • “A Smart Girl” –  Girls Education restrictions and the cost in human terms
  • Ukraine – What happens next?
  • Instabilities and opportunities in Asia
  • Strengthening the University-Global Employee Relationship
  • Climate Change, Energy Constraints and Economic Development
  • Foreign Policy 2023

Conference Speakers and Panelists

Full List of 2023 GUC Speakers with Biographical Information to be Shared Here Soon

Conference Sponsorships Available

Bring the World to the Upstate—Sponsor the 2023 International Business and Foreign Affairs Conference

OCTOBER 3 AND 4, 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

City of Greer Event Hall and The Cannon Centre
301 E Poinsett St, Greer, South Carolina

 

The Global Upstate Conference, co-sponsored by the World Affairs Council Upstate, is an interdisciplinary event that will bring scholars and leaders together for serious and thoughtful discussions about the most pressing issues facing the world.

Putting on an event like this requires all kinds of skills and contributions. Whether you are student looking for an internship opportunity or whether you are a working professional simply wanting to help, we’d love to have you on board.

Email Tracie@upstateinternational.org with a description of how you’d like to contribute and include a copy of your resume, and we’ll reach out to discuss volunteering opportunities.

Sponsorships not only help bring world leaders to the Upstate of South Carolina, enabling South Carolinians to build connections across the globe, but they also expose business leaders and deal makers to your company’s name and mission.

Scroll down to see the list of current sponsors. Learn about sponsorship packages and benefits by clicking here.

Global Upstate Conference World Affairs Council Upstate

Attend

Attend the Conference

conference attendees

Sponsor

Sponsor the Conference

Sponsors

The Global Upstate Event Is Made Possible With Generous Support From Our Sponsors

Networking/Closing Event Sponsor

Conference Grant

Luncheon Sponsors

Breakfast Sponsor

Venue Sponsors

Panel Sponsors

Networking Breakfast Sponsor – Spartanburg

Table Sponsors

Special Thanks to Our Engaging Students Globally Sponsors

Special Thanks to Our Media Sponsor and Business Track Sponsor

Special Thanks to Our UI Month Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

Bring the World to the Upstate

Become a Sponsor of the 2023 Global Upstate Conference

Bring the world to South Carolina. As a company with global connections, your company is one of those few with global impact. Help connect South Carolinians with the world, to build the local economy, and to influence the world. Sponsoring this event will not only allow your company to have a powerful local and global impact, sponsoring the Global Upstate Conference will expose your company to hundreds of the most powerful, most globally connected business people and leaders in the region. Talk with us about how you can reach the international community from South Carolina today.

Title Sponsor – $12,000

  • 8 Premiere-Access Tickets for Premiere Speakers to Opening Night Event
  • 8 All-Access Tickets to Conference (Every Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Event) and a
  • Reserved Table at Front-and-Center Location
  • Opening Conference Remarks
  • Presented as Title Sponsor on all Promotional Items and on Conference Website
  • Recognized at all Events in Promotional Video Displayed on Venue Screens
  • 4 Spotlight Posts on Social Media (Pre-During-Post-Event) with Hashtags of Choice
  • Inclusion of Your Branded Gifts to Attendees at Check-in if Desired
  • Special Mention in Invitation/Reminder Emails (2) and Thank You Email Blasts
  • Listing in Conference Program and on Conference signage

Keynote Dinner Sponsor – $8,000

  • 6 Premiere-Access Tickets for Premiere Speakers to Opening Night Event
  • 6 All-Access Tickets to Conference
  • Reserved Table at Front-and-Center Location
  • Welcoming Remarks for Keynote Dinner Event
  • Recognized as Keynote Dinner Sponsor at the Event
  • 3 Spotlight Posts on Social Media with Hashtags of Choice
  • Small Logo Placement on all Tables
  • Inclusion of Your Branded Gifts to Attendees at Check-in if Desired
  •  Listing in Conference Program and on Conference signage

Opening Night Speaker and Partner Reception Sponsor – $5,000

  • 4 Premier-Access Tickets to Opening Night Event
  • 4 All-Access Tickets to Conference
  • Welcoming Remarks for Opening Night Event
  • 3 Mentions on Social Media (Pre-During-Post-Event) with Hashtags of Choice
  • Inclusion of Your Branded Gifts to Attendees at Check-in if Desired
  • Listing in Conference Program and on Conference signage

Networking and Cocktails Event Sponsor – $5,000

  • 4 Premier-Access Tickets to Opening Night Event
  • 4 All-Access Tickets to Conference
  • Welcoming Remarks for Closing Night Event
  • 3 Mentions on Social Media (Pre-During-Post-Event) with Hashtags of Choice
  • Inclusion of Your Branded Gifts to Attendees at Check-in if Desired
  • Listing in Conference Program and on Conference signage

International Trade Breakfast Sponsor – $3,500

  • 4 tickets to Opening Night Event
  • 2 All-Access Tickets to Conference
  • 1 Table at Trade Breakfast
  • Welcoming Remarks for Breakfast Event
  • 2 Social Media Post Mentions and Tags
  • Small Logo Placement on all Tables
  • Inclusion of Your Branded Gifts to Attendees at Check-in if Desired
  • Listing in Conference Program and on Conference signage

Special Panel Luncheon Sponsor – $3,500

Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s lunch available

  • 4 Tickets to Opening Night Event
  • 2 All-Access Tickets to Conference
  • 1 Table at Luncheon Special Panel
  • Welcoming Remarks for Luncheon Event
  • 2 Social Media Post Mentions and Hashtags of Choice
  • Small Logo Placement on all Tables
  • Inclusion of Your Branded Gifts to Attendees at Check-in if Desired
  • Listing in Conference Program and on Conference signage

Business Track Sponsor – $3,500

  • 4 Tickets to Opening Night Event on October 2nd in Greer
  • 4 All-Access Tickets to Conference
  • Welcoming Remarks and recognition as the International Business Track sponsor for
  • the conference
  • 3 Spotlight Posts on Social Media with Hashtags of Choice
  • Inclusion of Your Branded Gifts to Attendees at Check-in if Desired
  • Listing in Conference Program and on Conference signage

Keynote Dinner Table Sponsor – $1,800

  • 2 All-Access Tickets to Conference
  • Seating for 6 additional people at the Keynote Dinner
  • Small Logo Placement on all Tables
  • 1 Social Media Mention with Hashtag of Choice
  • Inclusion of Your Branded Gifts to Attendees at Check-in if Desired
  • Listing in Conference Program and on Conference signage

Additional Sponsorship Levels

Panel Sponsor – $1,500

  • Publicly thanked by moderator at beginning and end of panel event
  • Listed in conference program
  • 2 All-Access Tickets to Conference
  • 2 Additional tickets to the Keynote Dinner
  • 2 Additional tickets to your sponsored panel
  • 1 Social Media mention with Hashtag of choice
  • Inclusion of Your Branded Gifts to Attendees at Check-in if Desired
  • Listing in Conference Program and on Conference signage

Silver Sponsor – $750

  • 1 All-Access Ticket to Conference
  • Listing in Conference Program and on Conference signage
  • 1 Social Media Mention with Hashtag of Choice
  • Inclusion of Your Branded Gifts to Attendees at Check-in if Desired

Engaging Students Globally Sponsor – $500

  • Sponsors 10 Students to Attend 1 Day Conference in Greer – $50/student
  • Company Logo Listed on Student Name Tags
  • 1 Social Media Mention with Hashtag of Choice
  • Listing in Conference Program and on Conference signage

How Can I Sponsor the Conference?

For information about sponsorship opportunities, reach out to Tracie Frese or Brianna Woodsby, our sponsorship coordinators.

 


Brianna Woodsby

Chairman Global Upstate Conference

brianna.woodsby@aflglobal.com

864-590-5802

 

Tracie Frese

Executive Director Upstate International and World Affairs Council Upstate

tracie@upstateinternational.org

864-434-2021

 


Global Upstate Conference Leadership Team

Meet the team of educators and business leaders that are organizing the Global Upstate Conference

Black Whitaker

Senior Vice President/Office Leader

Pinnacle Financial Partners

Brent Nelson

Dr. Brent Nelson

Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Furman University

Brianna Woodsby

Director of Compliance & International Trade at AFL

Elizabeth Feather

Director of Research and Strategic Initiatives

Upstate SC Alliance

Heidi Wenninger

Heidi Wenninger

Global Marketing Director

BW Flexible Systems

Jonathan Valadez

Community Action Coordinator

Hispanic Alliance

Kyle Anderson, PhD

VP Strategic Programming Academic Programs International

Nisha Godbole

Feature Team Lead

BMW Manufacturing Co.

Tracie Frese

Executive Director of Upstate International and World Affairs Council Upstate

Not sure if you can attend?

Sign up for Email Updates About the Event