Global Upstate Conference
on International Business & World Affairs
Learn Global, Network Local
Thank you for a fantastic 2023 Global Upstate Conference, we hope to see you next year!
  • Oct 3 & 4, 2023

  • City of Greer Event Hall & The Cannon Center

  • 301 E Poinsett St, Greer, South Carolina
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Register

Registration

 

Pre-Registration is required. No tickets will be sold at the door & will be available soon!

 

Register →

Schedule

 

Plan your conference & maximum the impact of your attendance.

 

View Schedule →

Speakers

 

A diverse group of professionals representing global industries.

 

View Speakers →

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A Global Affairs Conference in South Carolina
Learn Global, Network Local

The 2023 Global Upstate Conference on International Business and World Affairs, 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.

City of Greer Event Hall & The Cannon Center
301 E Poinsett St, Greer, South Carolina
Conference Registration Is Open!
Pre-Registration is required. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Engage

Discuss the most pressing issues and opportunities facing the world.

Connect

With a diverse group of professionals from global industries.

Plan

For future global impact with concepts from the conference.

Ignite

Instigate international change by applying solutions locally.

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2023 Speakers
Speakers & Panelists of International Note

From ambassadors to Foreign Service officials to presidential speechwriters, the Global Upstate Conference on International Business & World Affairs is bringing movers and shakers with worldwide impact to the Upstate of South Carolina to share their insights, tell their stories, and shed light on international trends.

Giving you details and context and personal experience which can’t be gleaned from newspaper headlines or cable news talking heads, the conference speakers and panelists listed below will give you a front seat to the most important trends, deals, and conflicts taking place in the world today.

Conference Schedule

Plan your conference & maximum the impact of your attendance.

Tuesday | Oct 3


 

8:00 | Registration check-in, doors open, City of Greer Event Hall, Lobby

8:30 | International Trade Breakfast Buffet, seating opens Cannon Centre 

8:50 – 9:00 AM | Conference Welcome 

9:00 – 10:15 AM | International Trade Breakfast begins – The conference opening event is an International Trade Breakfast with remarks from John Lummus, Upstate SC Alliance and Carla Edwards, International Trade Program Manager for SC Department of Commerce, followed by table discussion with consular corps and business leaders.

10:30 – 11:45 AM | Morning Panel Sessions – Greer City Event Hall

  • Panel 1 – Global Trade in the Upstate – Infrastructure
  • Panel 2- Democracy, Authoritarianism, and Protests

12:00 – 1:45 PM | Special Luncheon Panel, Cannon Centre

             Company Culture and its Impact to Productivity

2:00 – 3:15 PM | Afternoon Panel Sessions A

  • Panel 3 – Global Trade in the Upstate: Supply Chain
  • Panel 4 – “A Smart Girl” – Education Restrictions and the Cost in Human Terms

3:30 – 4:45 PM | Afternoon Panel Sessions B

  • Panel 5 – Cybersecurity
  • Panel 6 – Preparing for the Global Workforce: Student Perspectives

5:00 – 7:00 PM | Keynote Dinner, Cannon Centre

       5:00 PM- 5:15PM | Seating and Welcome

       5:30 PM | Dinner served

6:05 PM | Welcome from the City of Greer, Mayor Rick Danner

6:10 PM | Speaker Introduction by Heidi Wenninger, Global Marketing       Manager, BW Flexible Systems

      6:15 PM | Truly Human Leadership: The Skills & Courage to Care

        Mr. Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry Wehmiller Companies

Wednesday | Oct 4


 

8:00 | Registration check-in, doors open, coffee

8:50 – 9:00 AM | Day 2 Welcome – City of Greer Events Hall Panel Rooms

9:00 – 10:15 AM | Morning Panel Sessions A

  • Panel 1 – Integrating and Leveraging an Immigrant Workforce
  • Panel 2 – Responding to the Climate Crisis

10:30 – 11:45 AM | Morning Panel Sessions B

  • Panel 3 – India Today: Opportunities and Challenges
  • Panel 4 – Strengthening the University & Global Employer Relationship

12:00 – 1:45 PM | Special Lunch Presentation, Cannon Centre

12:00 – 12:05 PM | Welcome Remarks- Hank Hyatt for Greenville Chamber of Commerce

12:05 – 12:10 PM | Introduction of Speaker, Howard Daniels, EACC and Ogletree Deakins

          Visionary Leadership with Lawrence Wilkinson, Chairman of Heminge & Condell

           and Co-Founder of the Global Business Network

2:00 – 3:15 PM | Afternoon Panel Sessions A

  • Panel 5 – Ukraine / Russia: What Happens Next?
  • Panel 6 – Energy World Wide

3:30 – 4:45 PM | Afternoon Panel Sessions B

  • Panel 7 – China’s influence on the World Economy
  • Panel 8 – Responsible Sourcing and Ethical Trading

5:00 – 7:00 PM | Keynote Closing Remarks and Networking Reception, Cannon Centre

5:00 – 5:05 PM |  Speaker Introduction

      5:05 PM – 5:25 PM | Global Instabilities and Opportunities with Mr. David Snepp, Senior Director Moody’s Analytics, Defense, Intelligence, and Law Enforcement

      5:25 PM – 5:30 PM | Closing Note

5:25 PM – 5:30 PM | Drinks and small bites, time to network!

Topics

The most pressing global issues & opportunities

  • 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

How Can I Sponsor the Conference?

For information about sponsorship opportunities, reach out to Tracie Frese.

Tracie Frese

Linley Crocker

  • Program Coordinator           
  • Upstate International
  • Linley@upstateinternational.org
  • 864-804-3457
Past Conference Speakers
2023 Sponsors
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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The Global Upstate Conference on International Business & World Affairs, 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.

For general conference inquires, please contact the Upstate International Office:  864-631-2188

 

For sponsorship information, please contact:

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.

You can download the sponsorship packages and benefits by clicking here.

Conference Leadership Team
Meet the team of educators and business leaders that are organizing the Global Upstate Conference on International Business & World Affairs.

Brianna Woodsby

Global Upstate Conference Chair

Director of Compliance & International Trade

AFL

Heidi Wenninger

Global Upstate Conference Advisory Chair

Global Marketing Director

BW Flexible Systems

Kyle Anderson, PhD

World Affairs Concil Upstate Advisory Vice-Chair

VP of Strategic Programming

Academic Programs International

Tracie Frese

Executive Director

Upstate International and World Affairs Council Upstate

Elizabeth Feather

Director of Research and Strategic Initiatives

Upstate SC Alliance

Cleve Fraser

Professor of Politics & International Affairs

Furman University

Aviva Freudmann

Retired Business/Economics Journalist

Nisha Godbole

Feature Team Lead

BMW Manufacturing Co.

Andrew Pyle

Associate Professor of Communication & Interim Director

Clemson University Honors College

José A. Sagarnaga Castill

Clinical Assistant Professor & General Management Area Coordinator Department of Management

Clemson University

Jonathan Valadez

Community Action Coordinator

Hispanic Alliance

Blake Whitaker

Senior Vice President/Office Leader

Pinnacle Financial Partners