MISSION

The mission of Upstate Global Professionals is to foster relationships of international business and commerce professionals and promote the exchange of ideas through educational programs and cultural events. Membership is open to all those interested in advancing and supporting the global business culture in Upstate South Carolina. Upstate Global Professionals is sponsored by the International Center of the Upstate (ICU).

MEMBERSHIP

Membership fees are included as a benefit of ICU membership, at the Upstate Global Professionals level and above ($125+/year). Please visit the ICU Membership page to sign up, or contact the ICU if you have questions.

Benefits of Upstate Global Professionals (UGP) membership include:

• All ICU benefits listed here,
• UGP Member discount-reduced price at all UGP events,
• UGP Online Directory-Listing in our UGP directory,
• 2 Free Events- Two of the eight UGP events will be sponsored by UGP. If you are a UGP member, you can attend these events for free!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Upstate Global Professionals
"Canadian Culture Night"

David Wilkins, former U.S. Ambassador to CanadaTuesday, February 23rd, 2012
5:30pm - 8:30pm 
Join Upstate Global Professionals for our next event, Canadian Culture Night. This event will be held on Thursday, February 23rd, at The Loft at Falls Park, 631 S. Main Street in downtown Greenville (above Ford's Oyster House). In addition to David Wilkins, Steve Brereton (Canadian Consul General in Atlanta) and Dana Hicks (Honorary Consul for Canada in Charlotte) will also speak. This event is free for UGP members, and the non-member price is $20. Price includes food and drinks. To sign up, please click on the "register now" button on your right to use our online payment system, contact the International Center offices by phone at 864-631-2188 or by email at info@internationalupstate.org.

Sampling of upcoming Upstate Global Professionals programs:

To purchase tickets online for future events, please use our secure system:

You may also mail checks to: P.O. Box 9255, Greenville, SC 29604.

PAST EVENTS

Member Appreciation Party
Our Member Appreciation Party at the Children's Museum of the Upstate was a huge success. We would like to thank our keynote speaker Jennifer Noel, Director of Global Development, State of South Carolina.

Global Investments- Local Benefits
Representatives from the City of Greenville, non-profits dedicated to the Upstate's growth, and the real estate and financial industries gave their spin on where the Upstate is headed. We like to thank Robert deHollander, certified Financial Planer DeHollander & Janse Financial Group; C. Dan Joyner, President and CEO Prudential C. Dan Joyner Co. Realtors; Michael Kreski, Economic Development Manager; Russell H. Stall, Executive Director Greenville Forward; Brad Wyche, Executive Director Upstate Forever.

Business & Cultural Roundtable Dinner
The UGP held an informative, interesting and interactive look at how business is done in these five countries: Brazil, Finland, China, Japan and Germany. The Lazy Goat dinner included delicious fare from each of the five countries represented.

BMW, ‘Braten’ & Beer
Upstate Global Professionals, sponsored by the International Center of the Upstate, presented "BMW, ‘Braten’ & Beer" at CU-ICAR in the Carolina First Gallery with guest speaker Wayne Sterling. Mr. Sterling, Chief of Staff at the South Carolina Department of Commerce from 1984-1988 and from 1999-2001. Mr. Sterling spoke about his important role in attracting companies such as BMW and many of their suppliers to the Upstate. He also addressed the potential for future growth of automotive assembly operations in the Upstate and South Carolina.

From Bicycles in France to Tires in the Southland:
Why Michelin Chose Greenville and How it Transformed Our Economy with guest speaker,  Damien Michelin, the great grandson of Edouard Michelin, who began Michelin back in 1889 with his brother Andre’. Damien shared stories of how Michelin came to the Upstate exposing their multi-faceted influence on business and culture in the area. 

"Internationalization Then and Now... How We Succeed and Why We May Fail" with guest speaker Dr. John C. Stockwell, Chancellor, USC- Upstate.

Building an International Upstate: The Impact of International Business on our Community  With guest speaker Dr. Courtney Tollison at the Upcountry History Museum. Dr. Tollison spoke  about the building of the international business community in the Upstate. Dr. Tollison detailed the historical significance of the international business and foreign investment in the Upstate, and how this has modeled the region we live in today.

An Evening with Japanese Consul General Takuji Hanatani - the consul general visited from Spain and discussed his experiences working around the world and talked about Japan in the global economy

A Case for Corporate Sustainability: What does it mean, why we should care, and what can we do to position ourselves for the new global movement? with presenters John Meindl, Jr ., Senior Associate, Furman University's Center for Corporate and Professional Development and John Horton, Business Services Manager, Michelin Americas Research Company, a division of Michelin North America

Location, location, location: Geographic Drivers of Capital Investment, discussion about the Art and the Science behind Location Decisions, presented by John Sisson and Didi Caldwell from Global Asset Positioning.

"The Impact of Healthcare on Global Competitiveness," with guest speaker, Mr. Ingo Angermeier, President and CEO of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System.

"Upstate and the Globe: Emerging into a New World Economy", a luncheon featuring guest speaker Dr. Andrew Spicer, Associate Professor of International Business at the prestigious Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina.

Reception: "A Ride on the Orient Express", a reception and tour of the Global Trading Consortium’s Exhibition Hall by Melanie Axman, Director of International Business Development.

Culture Night: "A Passage to India", interpreting India's emergence through culture and its economy with Furman University Professors Kailash Khandke and Veena Khandke at Saffron Indian Cuisine.

Lunch Discussion: "China: The New Competitive Culture"

From Russia with love: Maestro Tchivzhel, accompanied by Lena Jankowsky-Forster, told the story of his defection from the USSR in 1991. Guests enjoyed Russian appetizers, wine, and vodka tasting.

Lunch Discussion: "Global Economies in Crisis: A Panel Discussion"

Lunch Discussion: "BMW and the Global Automotive Industry in a Time of Economic Uncertainty"

Inaugural Event: An Evening in Brazil at Rio Grill: A Brazilian Steakhouse

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