SAVANNAH, GA, USA - On June 3-4, World Trade Center Savannah (WTC Savannah) along with the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA), hosted 41 business and science professionals from Bavaria, Germany. The group participated in a weeklong trade mission to the United States with the mission of strengthening ties between the United States and Bavaria in the aerospace industry. Members of the delegation included Bavaria’s Vice Minister of Economic Affairs and Media, Energy and Technology, Franz Josef Pschierer, several members of the Bavarian Government, professors from Bavarian universities and representatives of prominent aerospace companies, including Airbus Defense and Space and Rücker Aerospace, among many others.

The delegation arrived in Savannah in the evening and enjoyed dinner at Savannah’s famous Olde Pink House Restaurant. The delegation was joined by members of the Savannah community, including but not limited to: the Mayor of the City of Savannah, the Deputy and Honorary Consul General of Germany, a number of Savannah’s top business leaders, the Chief Executive Officer of Georgia Ports Authority, Vice President of Engineering and Vice President of Supply Chain of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, and the Executive Director of the Savannah Hilton Head International Airport.

The next morning the Bavarian delegation had the opportunity to spend time at Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation. They received a morning presentation from Gulfstream representatives followed by breakout sessions on different aerospace topics. The group concluded their morning at Gulfstream by touring the manufacturing facility for Gulfstream’s premier G650 business jet. Following the tour, the delegates were hosted for lunch at Savannah Quarters Country Club. Lunch included introductions of several aerospace suppliers in the Savannah region followed by a dessert and coffee networking session. The trip concluded with a drive-through tour of the Port of Savannah and a presentation on Herty Advanced materials Development Center, a world-class research and development facility.

This delegation’s visit to Savannah was a direct result of the proactive efforts made over the past year by WTC Savannah and SEDA to strengthen ties and build relationships with the business community in Germany.

For additional information on this article, please contact Kathleen Henry, Research Specialist/Trade Services Assistant at WTC Savannah, at khenry@wtcsavannah.org.

(PHOTO: Franz Josef Pschierer, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs and Media, Energy and Technology with Curtis Foltz, Chief Executive Officer of Georgia Ports Authority)