The Chamber’s Tell the World! campaign to promote economic development in Chattanooga relies on the global reach of Chamber websites, media coverage of the business community and Chamber reports on business activity to site selectors and other business decision-makers.
"Our strategy also involves face-to-face meetings with business leaders from the region, across the country and around the world," says Chamber Economic Development Vice President Trevor Hamilton. "As often as we can, we are delivering the message that Chattanooga is a great place to do business in person."
In fact, since the first of September Hamilton has turned Chattanooga business ambassador-at-large, visiting Korea two times, Europe, China, and Japan – and traveling over 36,000 miles in the process.
Hamilton and Mayor Ron Littlefield were among the delegates from Chattanooga who helped celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sister City Gangneug, Korea. They also attended the Asia Pacific Cities Summit in Chongqing, China and the 29th annual Southeast U.S./Japan Summit in Tokyo, Japan in a delegation led by Gov. Bredesen. Hamilton also participated in the Southeast U.S./Korea Summit in Seoul, Korea. And Hamilton and County Mayor Claude Ramsey were among a delegation that traveled to Europe on a prospecting mission.
In all the cities he visited, Hamilton toured manufacturing plants and met with businesspeople to recruit businesses and promote trade. "It’s an effort to raise the awareness of Chattanooga as a place for business activity out of all the thousands of other U.S. cities," Hamilton said. "We have video presentations – in Chinese, Japanese, German and Korean – that form a primer on Chattanooga and make a very good first impression. Our hosts begin to realize our community’s many assets, including its proximity to the eastern half of the U.S. market."
During his visit in Seoul, Hamilton met with 12 Korean businesses, most of which represented food and beverage firms and automobile-related manufacturers, two target industries. "We’re interested in companies seeking customers in the U.S., companies that already have a volume of customers here and are considering a distribution center or sub-assembly plant in the U.S., and companies looking to locate a manufacturing plant here," Hamilton said.
In China, Hamilton and Mayor Littlefield had the opportunity to tour manufacturing companies, including several automotive firms. Hamilton noted that it was fascinating to see firsthand everything that you read and hear about the Chinese economy. "It is important for our business community to understand the global implications of China’s explosive growth rate both as a threat and as an opportunity," said Hamilton.
In addition to the business recruitment mission, the Chamber’s travels also include visits to the corporate headquarters of existing businesses here in Chattanooga. For instance, while in Tokyo, Hamilton and Mayor Littlefield called on corporate officials of both Komatsu and Nagase (parent company of Sofix). "It is important that we demonstrate our commitment to assisting our existing industry and personally show that we value their presence in Chattanooga," Hamilton said.
From his years of experience hosting Asian delegations or prospects, Hamilton is familiar with Far East customs and he’s picked up enough greetings and phrases to break the ice in Japanese, Chinese and Korean.
"Everything begins with personal contact," Hamilton says. "You begin building a relationship with your first handshake. The contacts with companies and countries are very valuable when a prospect from one of those countries walks through the Chamber door. Knowing their culture, knowing businesses in their part of the world can go a long way in promoting partnerships that turn into jobs for Chattanooga."
