State Seeks Export-Minded Georgia Companies for Annual Conference with Canadian Provinces

ATLANTA, March 19, 2010 – The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) today announced an opportunity for Georgia companies wishing to grow their business internationally. The state is providing Georgia companies an unequalled opportunity to establish trade partnerships during the upcoming Southeastern U.S.-Canadian Provinces (SEUS-CP) Conference, April 11-13 at the Beau Rivage resort in Biloxi, Mississippi.   In addition to the state and province leaders this annual event attracts, participating companies will have the opportunity to make one-on-one business matchmaking appointments.  These appointments will not only be made among the conference participants, but also with key anchor companies, including Northup Grumman, Howard Industries and SmartSynch, among others.  Georgia companies will have the opportunity to speak with procurement officials from these organizations or to discuss opportunities of mutual interest.
'Reaching across borders to find commonalities in business and research helps to bolster the economies in our states and provinces,' said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.  'This conference brings together key firms from the southeastern United States and seven Canadian Provinces, and is a tremendous opportunity for establishing relationships as well as staying abreast of issues to importance to our region as we strive to further our ties with our neighbors to the north.'

During this annual conference, six southeastern U.S. states and seven Canadian provinces come together to present opportunities for businesses to enhance commercial exchanges, promote two-way investment and encourage technological and scientific exchanges. The Canadian Consulate General in Atlanta works in conjunction with the states and provinces to plan and host this event.  The 2010 SEUS-CP Conference will focus on the industries of energy, geospatial technologies, and advanced manufacturing.

'Canada is Georgia's top trading partner and a leading investor nation for Georgia,' said Stephen Brereton, Consul General of Canada based in Atlanta.  'It is critically important to continue to form business connections and collaborations that will sustain and improve the trade and investment relationship.'

The conference will attract companies and organizations from SEUS-CP member states Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama, as well as member provinces Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba.  Frederick Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer of FedEx Corporation, will be the keynote speaker during the conference.  A town hall session featuring the heads of delegations will be moderated by Shepard Smith of Fox News.

Georgia speakers include Dr. Louis J. Circeo, principal research scientist and director of Plasma research in the Electro-Optical Systems Laboratory at the Georgia Tech Research Institute. Savannah's D. Paul Graham, president and CEO of Graham Capital Partners, LLC, will moderate the panel on advanced manufacturing.

The SEUS-CP Conference is significant to the international growth of Georgia businesses, with Canada ranking as Georgia's top export market.

Georgia's top exports to Canada include machinery, transportation equipment, textiles, plastic and paper goods, with 2009 exports totaling $4.1 billion, representing 17 percent of Georgia's total exports.

Georgia companies seeking more information on the conference should visit the SEUS CP 2010 website at www.seuscp.com, or call Kathe Falls, Director of International Trade at GDEcD, 404-962-4120. Registration deadline is March 30, 2010.

About GDEcD
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development.  Visit www.georgia.org for more information.