Furman University | Greenville, South Carolina | March 29-30, 2022
USC Upstate | Spartanburg, South Carolina | March 31, 2022
Global Upstate Conference
On International Business and Foreign Affairs
A Global Affairs Mastermind in South Carolina
The inaugural Global Upstate Conference, presented by the World Affairs Council Upstate and hosted at Furman University and at the George Dean Johnson Jr. College of Business and Economics, University of South Carolina Upstate, 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 three days in March 2022, the conference will host representatives of different international companies, government agencies, national think-tanks, universities, the military, non-governmental organizations, and many more.
A Global Affairs Mastermind in Greenville, South Carolina
The World Affairs Conference, co-sponsored by the World Affairs Council Upstate and Furman University, is an interdisciplinary event that will bring scholars and leaders together for serious and thoughtful discussions about the most pressing issues facing the world.
Over the course of two days in March 2022, the conference will host representatives of universities, companies, government agencies, the military, think–tanks and non-governmental organizations, among others.
- International Trade Breakfast with SC Consular Corps
- Transportation Issues in South Carolina
- Global Supply Chain Challenges
- Cyber Security Challenges
- 5G and Emerging Technologies
- Lunch Panel – Global Security: An International Military Perspective
- Russia and Its Neighbors
- China’s Belt and Road Initiative
- Rising China and Indo-Pacific Security Challenges
- Nuclear Proliferation: North Korea and Iran: Is there an Answer?
- Climate Change, Water and Geopolitics
- Afghanistan: Where Do We Go From Here?
- Migration, A World Wide Issue at Home and Abroad
- Immigration, Workforce, and the Labor Crisis
- The Great Resignation and the Worker of the Future
- Small Businesses in the International Arena
- Lunch Panel – International Tax Legislation and Planning
Conference Speakers and Panelists
W. Robert Pearson
Ambassador (ret), Fellow at Duke University’s Center for International and Global Studies Rethinking Diplomacy Program
Ann Morrison
Writer, Retired editor of TIME Magazine, Lecturer of the Global Business Journalism Program at Tsinghua University
Donald Morrison
Europe Editor of PORT Magazine, Retired Editor of TIME Magazine, Author
Chris Richardson
Former U.S. Diplomat, Immigration Attorney, & Founder of Argo Visa
Henrik Larsen
Brigadier-General in the Royal Danish Air Force
Dave Edwards
President and CEO of Greenville-Spartanburg Airport
Paul Berg
Retired Foreign Service Officer
Bill Clifford
President and CEO of World Affairs Council
Robert Blake
Senior Director, McLarty Associates; Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia (2006–09; 2014–16)
Jennifer B. Floyd
President, HR Experts on Demand, LLC; President, Greenville Society of Human Resource Management
John Herbst
Director Atlantic Council; US Ambassador to Ukraine and Uzbekistan (2003–06; 2000–03)
Reid Lohr
Co-Founder & Managing Partner – EDI Advisory Group
Dorette Coetsee
Director, South Carolina U.S. Commercial Service
Chung-Yean Chiang
Assistant Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management at the University of South Carolina Upstate
Alison Kosnett
Development and Governance Consultant
Mike Ungar
Business Coach, Upstate Veteran’s Business Network Board Member
Rhonda Gibby
Founder of Talent Advantage LLC
Steve Nail
Dean, College of Business, Anderson University
Robyn Grable
Founder and CEO of Veterans ASCEND and Ability ASCEND
Grant Burns
Executive Vice President and General Counsel of AFL
Christian Tschurtschenthaler
Head of Series Luxury Class, BMW Group
Philip S. Kosnett
Ambassador (retired)
Brian Kirk
Director of Cybersecurity, Elliott Davis
Burkhard Jaeger
Business Professor at the University of Applied Sciences Landshut, Germany
Brian Dill
Principal, Tax Services at Cherry Bekaert
Ben Cubitt
Senior Vice President, Consulting and Strategy Services
Seán Adam
Vice President of Market Strategy and Innovation, AFL
Dr. Katherine Palmer Kaup
James B. Duke Professor of Asian Studies and Politics and International Affairs, Furman University
Daniel Cutts
Special Agent with the Department of Homeland Security
J. Blackmon
Special Agent with the Department of Homeland Security
Trevor Rubenzer
Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Department of History, Political Science, and American Studies at USC Upstate
Akan Malici
Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Furman University
Kevin Cassidy
Director and Representative to the Bretton Woods and Multilateral Organizations – ILO Office for the United States
Samantha Spratt
Executive Director of the European American Chamber of Commerce – Carolinas
Greg White
Principal and Host, Supply Chain Now
Kevin L. Jackson
Advance Technology & Business Strategy Expert
Frank Fisher
Senior Executive in the Manufacturing Sector at Milliken
David Manning
United States Air Force – Civilian Career Experience
David Snepp
Head of Defense, Intelligence & Law Enforcement Security Subsegment at Moody’s Analytics
Tom James
Lieutenant General, US Army
Christian Herrmann
Of Counsel at Ogletree Deakins
View the Full List of Speakers with Biographical Information by Clicking the Button Below
Conference Sponsorships Available
Bring the World to the Upstate—Sponsor the 2022 International Business and Foreign Affairs Conference
MARCH 28–31, 2022
Frequently Asked Questions
Younts Conference Center
Furman University
1250 Duncan Chapel Rd.
Greenville, SC 29617
George Dean Johnson Jr. College of Business and Economics
USC Upstate
160 East St. John St.
Spartanburg, SC 29306
The World Affairs Conference, co-sponsored by the World Affairs Council Upstate and Furman University, 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 [email protected] 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.
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
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 – $15,000
- 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 in all Promotional Items and on Conference Website
- Recognized at all Events in Continuous Promotional Video Displayed on Venue Screens
- 4 Spotlight Posts on Social Media (Pre- During-Post-Event) with Hashtags of Choice
- Inclusion of Gifts in Conference Goodie Bag
- Special Mention in Invitation/Reminder Emails (2) and Thank You Email Blasts
Keynote Dinner Sponsor – $10,000
- 4 Premiere-Access Tickets for Premiere Speakers to Opening Night Event
- 4 All-Access Tickets to Conference
- Reserved Table at Front-and-Center Location
- Welcoming Remarks for Keynote Night Event
- Recognized as Keynote Dinner Sponsor at Keynote Dinner Event
- 3 Spotlight Posts on Social Media with Hashtags of Choice
- Inclusion of Gifts in Conference Goodie Bag
Cocktail Closing Event Sponsor – $6,000
- 6 tickets to Opening Night Event
- 6 tickets to Conference
- Closing Remarks for Closing Event
- 3 Mentions on Social Media (Pre-During-Post-Event) with Hashtags of Choice
- Inclusion of Gifts in Conference Goodie Bag
Opening Event at Artists Guild Sponsor – $4,000
- 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 Gifts in Conference Goodie Bag
Luncheon Special Panel Sponsor – $3,500
- 4 Tickets to Opening Night Event
- 2 Tickets to Conference
- 1 Table at Luncheon Special Panel
- Welcoming Remarks for Luncheon Event
- Social Media Post Mentions and Hashtags of Choice
- Small Logo Placement on all Tables.
Consul General Breakfast Sponsor – $3,500
- 2 tickets to Opening Night Event
- 2 tickets to Conference
- Welcoming Remarks for Breakfast Event
- 2 Social Media Post Mentions and Tags
- Small Logo Placement on all Tables
Additional Sponsorship Levels
Keynote Dinner Table Sponsor – $1800
- 2 tickets to the Conference
- Seating for 8 at the Keynote Dinner
- Small Logo Placement on all Tables
- 1 Social Media Mention with Hashtag of Choice
Gold Sponsor – $2000
- 2 tickets each to Conference, Keynote Dinner, Keynote Cocktail, and Consul General Breakfast
- Listing in Conference pamphlet and at the Conference signage
- 1 Social Media Mention with Hashtag of Choice
Engaging Students Globally Sponsor
- Sponsors Students to Attend 1 day Conference in Greenville – $50 Per Student
- Company Logo Listed on Student Name Tags
- Listing in Conference pamphlet and at the Conference signage
- 1 Social Media Spotlight post with Hashtag of Choice
Silver Sponsor – $750
- 1 ticket to conference, ticket to Keynote Dinner, Keynote Cocktail, Consul General Breakfast
- Listing in Conference pamphlet and at the Conference signage
- 1 Social Media Mention with Hashtag of Choice
How Can I Sponsor the Conference?
For information about sponsorship opportunities, reach out to Tracie Frese, our sponsorship coordinator.
Tracie Frese
Global Upstate Conference Leadership Team
Meet the team of educators and business leaders that are organizing the Global Upstate Conference
Dr. Alex Akulli
President, Fulbright Association – South Carolina Chapter; Co-Chair, Global Upstate Conference
Dr. Brent Nelson
Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Furman University
Brianna Woodsby
Director of Compliance & International Trade at AFL
Darren Jansen
Translation Project Manager at IVANNOVATION
Heidi Wenninger
Director of Marketing Communications, Portescap
Robert Rowen
Owner and Founder of Nuance Galleries
Tracie Frese
Executive Director of Upstate International and World Affairs Council Upstate