GLOBAL UPSTATE CONFERENCE
ON INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS & WORLD AFFAIRS
Coming Soon: Learn Global, Network Local
- October 29th, 2025
- City of Greer Event Hall & Cannon Centre, Greer SC
Take a look at the unforgettable highlights from 2023 Global Upstate Conference below!
Sponsorships
Registration
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.
Engage
Connect
Plan
Ignite
Conference Registration
[Open Dates Coming Soon ]
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
Tuesday - October 3, 2023
8:00 | Registration check-in, doors open, City of Greer Event Hall Lobby
8:30 | International Trade Breakfast Buffet, seating opens Cannon Centre – The conference opening event is an International Trade Breakfast with opening speaker then discussion with table leaders. (C suite executives and international consular corps representatives)
9:00 – 10:15 AM | International Trade Breakfast begins
10:30 – 11:45 AM | Morning Panel Sessions
- Panel 1 – Global Trade in the Upstate – Infrastructure
- Panel 2- Democracy, Authoritarianism, and Protests
12:00 – 1:45 PM | Lunch Panel / Presentation, Cannon Centre
Company Culture and 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
Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry Wehmiller Companies
Wednesday - October 4, 2023
8:00 | Registration check-in, doors open, coffee
9:00 – 10:15 AM | Morning Panel Sessions A
- Panel 1 – Integrating and Leveraging Immigrant Workforce
- Panel 2 – Strengthening the University: Global Employer Relationship
10:30 – 11:45 AM | Morning Panel Sessions B
- Panel 3 – India Today: Opportunities and Challenges
- Panel 4 – The Future of Korea
12:00 – 1:45 PM | Lunch Panel/Presentation, Cannon Centre – Visionary Leadership
2:00 – 3:15 PM | Afternoon Panel Sessions A
- Panel 5 – Ukraine / Russia: What Happens Next?
- Panel 6 – Responsible Sourcing: Who are you doing business with?
3:30 – 4:45 PM | Afternoon Panel Sessions B
- Panel 7 – China’s Influence on Business
- Panel 8 – Climate Change – Energy Constraints and Economic Development
5:00 – 7:00 PM | Keynote Dinner and Networking Reception, Cannon Centre
Energy World Wide
Topics
- 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
Sponsorships
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 globally connected business people and leaders in the region.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
Tuesday & Wednesday 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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?
Tracie Frese
Executive Director Upstate International and World Affairs Council Upstate
Past Conference Speakers
2023 Sponsors
Thank you for your support!
Frequently Asked Questions
Get the answers you need
City of Greer Event Hall and The Cannon Centre
301 E Poinsett St, Greer, South Carolina
For general conference inquires, please contact the Upstate International Office: 864-631-2188
For sponsorship information, please contact:
Tracie Frese
tr****@******************al.org or 864-434-2021
Brianna Woodsby
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 Tr****@******************al.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.