The Region’s Global Connections Run through the Council and its Floating HQ, the Klamath
2023 was a big year for the Bay Area Council on the international front. In addition to reports from the Bay Area Council Economic Institute on topics ranging from India and China to technology cooperation with Europe, Council perspectives appeared in numerous interviews and columns in print and online media across the globe. We hosted more than 10 international events aboard our floating headquarters, the historic Klamath, with speakers such as the European Union’s Director General for Energy, the Chairman of the German Economic Institute, and the Consuls General of Ukraine and Japan. In November, the Council hosted a full week of programming around APEC with hundreds of members and guests participating, including Japan’s Minister of Economic Revitalization and the President of Chile.
The Council is increasingly being looked to as a source of expertise, making 20 presentations at international forums last year and hosting 50 government and business delegations from around the world. Visitors included Canada’s Deputy Trade Minister, the Welsh Minister of the Economy, Chile’s Ambassador to the United States, Colombia’s Ambassador to the United States, the CEO of Swiss Innovation, and China’s Vice Minister of Commerce. Other events – the annual Spring Reception (Chinese New Year) and a first-ever Oktoberfest – brought members together with global partners.
Council delegations also traveled overseas – to Australia in July and to the Chinese International Import Exposition (CIIE) in Shanghai in November. At home the Klamath is becoming a venue of choice for global groups visiting the Bay Area, with Portuguese, German, Brazilian, Danish, Polish and Indian delegations booking space for events. The Bay Area is justifiably considered to be the global epicenter of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship, attracting investment by hundreds of global companies and organizations. At the same time, Bay Area companies have become much sought-after investors around the world. The Council will continue to expand its global reach in the year ahead, supporting business opportunities through in-depth analysis and opening channels of cooperation with its global partners. For information about how to participate in its Global Business and Investment Committee, please contact Economic Institute Senior Director Sean Randolph.
