Manufacturing Excellence Leadership Series Virtual Plant Tour Starbucks August, GA and Q&A with Heather Hatcher
2020-11-17 10:15 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Webinar
Join for this series of short webinars as they speak with a diverse and dynamic group of manufacturing leaders. They’ll provide a look inside their manufacturing facility and discuss their company, what’s next, and lessons learned today that will build long term resilience for tomorrow and beyond.
Today’s conversation includes a virtual tour of the Starbucks Roasting Facility in Augusta, GA and discussion with Heather Hatcher, Senior Operations. Starbucks is not only a household name but a company with a global manufacturing presence focusing on continuous improvement and lean principles. Each Starbucks employee is part of the innovation and process optimization to produce and distribute the best quality products.
Heather shares how at the heart of Starbucks is their mission: to inspire and nurture the human spirit—one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time. That sense of purpose extends beyond their stores, to their partners and their families, the communities they serve and the planet that all share.
Cloteen Jasmin, Senior Vice President, Cresa joins to lead the conversation.
Registration is open to manufacturing executives, directors and senior managers of manufacturing companies.

2020 China Breakfast Briefing
2020-11-18 08:00 - 09:15 | Online
The China Research Center, the Georgia State University Office of International Initiatives, and the Tennessee China Network invite you to join the 2020 China Breakfast Briefing.

Panelists will share updates on the business environment, with insights into the current social, economic, and political situations on the ground.

Penelope Prime – Moderator
Founding Director, China Research Center
Stella Xu – Panelist
Managing Director, State of Georgia China Office and Initiative, Georgia Department of Economic Development
Haizheng Li – Panelist
Professor of Economics, Georgia Tech University
Associate, China Research Center
Robert Marsh – Panelist
President, GlobalMesh LLC
Ginger Merritt – Panelist
Vice President, Performance Colorants & Ingredients, Milliken & Company

Human Trafficking: A View from Georgia on an International Challenge
2020-11-18 11:00 - 12:00 | GA
Join for the virtual event “HUMAN TRAFFICKING: A VIEW FROM GEORGIA ON AN INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE,” presented by The Atlanta Council on International Relations, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and International Women’s Think Tank.
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About this event:
Long recognized as a pervasive plague on modern society, the trafficking of human beings for purposes of exploitation remains a worldwide challenge to countries and states even in the midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic. The event will focus on current efforts to curtail human trafficking as well as the structures in place to provide victims of sexual exploitation with a path to recovery.
“Our goal is to educate our audience on human trafficking in Georgia as well how it persists as a challenge around the world,” says Bill Bozarth, co-organizer and member of the ACIR Program Committee. “We hope to provide an action plan for those who wish to engage and be part of solutions.”
Co-organizer and President of IWTT, Brenda Morant, will join Mr. Bozarth as host for the event.
A panel of experts will focus on the ways Georgia is dealing with this worldwide challenge. Panelists include: Vic Reynolds, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation; Tracy Gilbert, Community Affairs Manager for the Department of Aviation at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport; and Dr. Sharon Cooper, Pediatrician and Founder/CEO of Developmental and Forensic Pediatrics, P. A., Board Member and Consultant to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

About the Atlanta Council on International Relations:The Atlanta Council on International Relations (ACIR) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to providing its members and the metro Atlanta community, through public discussion groups, forums, panels, lectures, and other similar programs, with a better understanding of the complex issues that confront the United States and the global community in the fields of international and security affairs, global economics and policy, and relations between and among nations and non-state actors in the international arena. Learn more about the Atlanta Council on International Relations at www.atlantacir.org.
About Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) is the world’s busiest and most efficient airport, serving more than 110 million passengers annually with nonstop service to more than 150 U.S. destinations and 70 international destinations in more than 50 countries. ATL boasts a direct economic impact of $51.5 billion in metro Atlanta and a total direct economic impact of $82 billion across the Southeast. The Airport is the largest employer in Georgia, with more than 63,000 individuals working on-site. The Airport is a frequent recipient of awards of excellence for concessions, operations, sustainability, architectural engineering and construction. In 2016, ATL set in motion a multibillion-dollar capital improvement program, ATLNext, which will modernize the Domestic Terminal, extend two concourses, construct several parking decks, add a sixth runway, expand cargo facilities and pave the way for a 440-room hotel with Class A office space. For more information, visit www.atl.com.
About The International Women’s Think Tank
The International Women’s Think Tank (IWTT) is a global thought leader in trade and economic development providing partners with a wide range of expertise in development and job creation. For additional information, please visit www.iwthinktank.org.
*Free Registration*

Around the Globe with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices - Mexico
2020-11-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
This webinar is the second in a series on International Relocation.
Relocating can be a daunting task. Whether it be purchasing your forever home, second home, investment property, or simply enjoying your golden years. They will all be there to assist you. You’ll learn a lot about relocation, investment opportunities and tax and legal considerations associated with such a move. Hear why San Miguel De Allende, Mexico continues to be chosen “Best Small City in the World” You’ll walk away from this event having been introduced to a one-stop-shop of experts who can guide you in every step of the relocation process.
During this Webinar, panelists will present:

A global tour of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network member services for relocation, including purchasing a property in San Miguel, de Allende, and funding for investment properties.
UnniCo will present an overview of funding and investment opportunities.
Hall Booth Smith, P.C. attorneys at law will discuss the tax and legal considerations when relocating internationally.
And Max Sutherland, President of the World Trade Center Atlanta will moderate the discussion.

*2020 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate.

InvestAmerica | DHP | BACC Immigration Webinar Series - Week 3-
2020-11-18 17:00 - 18:00 | Webinar
EB-5 Green Card Program
-Purpose of the Program, Requirements, Costs and Processing Times
-Investment Benefits and Risks
-Importance of Project Due Diligence
-InvestAmerica’s EB-5 Project Portfolio

Trends in Cross Border Payments
2020-11-19 09:00 - 10:30 | Webinar
From the global pandemic to trade wars, the Cross Border Payment Industry has continued to innovate and thrive in 2020.
Join an esteemed International Panel of FinTech, Trade, and Global Payment professionals for a lively discussion of the latest industry trends and developments.
Global Panel of Industry Experts:

Webinar Discussion Topics to Include:
•Global Regulations & Compliance • Tax Considerations • Cybersecurity • State of Global Trade • Impact of US Presidential Election • Touchless Transactions • Bitcoin Growth • COVID’s Impact • Your Questions
Event Agenda
9:00am – 9:10am Welcome

Henry Yu, President, Hong Kong Association of Atlanta
Dr. Wolfgang Schloer, Georgia State University, Office of International Initiatives

9:10am – 9:40am FinTech Opportunities Across Asia

Moderator:

Henry Yu, President, Hong Kong Association of Atlanta

Panelists:

Nicholas Kwan, Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council
Charles Lam, Senior Manager, Cyberport Hong Kong

9:40am – 10:10am Cross Border Payment Frontiers

Moderator:

Mitchell Kopelman, Partner-in-charge, Technology and Blockchain, Co-Chair tax

Panelists:

Esther Pigg, Senior Vice President, Global Payment, FIS Global
Eden Doniger, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer, BitPay
Steve Villegas, Vice President, Payment Partnerships, PPRO

10:10am – 10:20am Q&A
10:20am – 10:30am Closing Remarks

India-China Border Standoff
2020-11-19 10:00 - 11:15 | Webinar
China and India are the two most populous countries in the world, having populations of about 1.44 bn and 1.38 bn in 2020, respectively. Both the countries together account for about 36% of the world’s total population and 67% of Asia’s population.
Both the countries are nuclear powers. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, in 2019 China and India had the second and third highest military spends in the world. For the last five months, there has been a border standoff between these two major economies. We will discuss various scenarios and their business implications on Asia and the rest of the world with the help of well-known speakers.
Meet the speakers:
Dr. Anupam Srivastava, Non-Resident Fellow, The Henry I. Stimson, Center & Former Managing Director, Invest India

Mr. Pradip Baijal, I.A.S. (Retd.), Former Secretary, Ministry of Disinvestment, Government of India & Author

Meet the Moderator:
Dr. Penny Prime, Founding Director, China Research Center and Managing Editor, China Currents
To RSVP send an email to Ani Agnihotri at ani@usaindiabusinesssummit.com.

Webinar: Methods for Meta-Analysis
2020-11-19 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Featuring:
Dr. Terri Pigott
Professor, School of Public Health & College of Education & Human Development
Georgia State University

Terri Pigott is a professor at Georgia State University with a joint appointment in the School of Public Health and the College of Education & Human Development. She was formerly the associate provost for research and professor of research methodology at Loyola University Chicago. She earned her B.A. in psychology at the University of Notre Dame and her Ph.D. in measurement, evaluation and statistical analysis at the University of Chicago.
Her research focuses on methods for meta-analysis, including power, missing data and individual participant meta-analysis. Her work has appeared in Review of Educational Research, Research Synthesis Methods and Educational Researcher. She is the founding chair of the AERA Special Interest Group for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. In 2016, she was awarded the Frederick Mosteller Award from the Campbell Collaboration for Distinctive Contributions for Systematic Reviewing. Learn more about her work at https://www.terripigott.com.

AUSOMA Open House – Courtyard Atlanta Midtown Georgia Tech
2020-11-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Webinar
About the Open House

The American School of Medicine Aruba would like to invite you to an open house in your area to learn more about our MD and Pre-Med programs. They will cover the curriculum, tuition, scholarship opportunities, common questions and much more.

You’ll Learn About

Accelerated curriculum program
Affordable tuition costs
Scholarship opportunities to take advantage of
North American ECFMG Recognition
Personalized teaching & classroom environment
Faculty that has first-hand industry experience in medicine
Guaranteed US Clinical Clerkships

Health Precautions
To help keep everyone safe, they ask that you please wear a face covering during the seminar. Seating will be placed 6 feet apart, and all surfaces will be sanitized in accordance with local health recommendations.

34th FACC Beaujolais - Toast to the strength of the transatlantic connection between France and Georgia!
2020-11-19 18:30 - 20:00 | Webinar
The FACC-Atlanta Beaujolais has been a tradition amongst the French-American
business community in Atlanta for more than 3 decades now.
This year is NO exception!
They will celebrate the release of the 2020 Beaujolais harvest with you!
From the comfort and safety of your home, you will enjoy:
a step-by-step live cooking experience with our chef from the French fine cuisine Restaurant Petite Violette
a wine tasting class with Tim Willard, Eastern Regional Manager, European Cellars, where you will learn more about the Beaujolais region and its wine
online auctions (link to our online auctions will be communicated shortly)
games and photo contests that will give you the chance to win a bottle of wine
the company of old friends and new connections as we will be socializing in themed breakout rooms
No need to make your groceries for the cooking class! Your ticket will include

all the main ingredients to replicate live the chef’s recipe,
our 34th FACC Beaujolais Collector Apron
and more surprises…

More info to come about the program and the recipe for the cooking class.
Stay tuned BUT don’t wait to book your spot as space is strictly limited.
Registration closes on Friday, November 13.
Tickets are non refundable.

Atlanta Franchise Show Free Tickets
2020-11-21 11:00 - 2020-11-22 16:00 | GA
November 21st & 22nd, 2020: ATLANTA – COBB GALLERIA CENTRE
FRI. 11AM-5PM | SAT. 11AM-4PM
Come to Atlanta’s Largest “Own Your Own Business”Event!
All Your Proven Business Options under One Roof!
• Meet face to face with successful businesses looking for franchisees and dealers.
• Find the perfect full time or part time business for you.
• See the hottest money-making opportunities.
• Attend FREE seminars and learn how to operate a successful business!!

International Business Exchange
2020-11-24 08:00 - 09:30 | Webinar
It’s free to learn about Services/resources available for Georgia Small businesses for doing business overseas:
Join WTC Atlanta members and guests for a monthly networking event. The International Business Exchange – IBE – offers a semi-structured format to accelerate learning what others are doing locally and in the global international community, and foster business connections that lead to strategic partnerships.
They know the recent news and uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) has led to many canceled events worldwide. As an event-based organization, they are now faced with difficult decisions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our members. Due to this they will be hosting this International Business Exchange via virtual webcast.
WTC Atlanta is one of over three hundred World Trade Centers worldwide comprising an unparalleled global network of businesses and resources. We provide our members the connections, education, and tools to enable the development, promotion and facilitation of international trade and investment, bridging the global business world and the Southeastern United States.
Mr. Gonzalez has over 20 years of combined professional experience in information technology, telecommunications, project management, academia, and international business/trade. In the last decade, Mr. Gonzalez had global roles either giving consulting services or leading international divisions with full responsibility for their bottom line and customer acquisitions for a wide variety of industries across the Americas. My experience included working with SMEs, family-owned businesses, and global corporations. Academically, I hold an International MBA from the Universidad Europea de Madrid and formally educated in Costa Rica, the United States, Spain, and China. Mr. Gonzalez also has two professional recognized certifications, PMP & CGBP, and currently serves as International Business Consultant for UGA SBDC International Trade Center.

Webinar: The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic and Deglobalization on Global Talent Management
2020-11-24 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Amelia Schaffner
Director of Entrepreneurship
Emory University

Amelia is the Director of Entrepreneurship at the Goizueta Business School. She is responsible for developing the school’s entrepreneurial culture, thinking, and initiatives, partnering with students, faculty, alumni, and the local ecosystem of investors, VCs, organizations. She is involved in a number of initiatives, including the pitch-the-Professors program to support new student concepts, the partnership with the Atlanta Tech Village incubator, the Entrepreneurs in residence program, the RAISE Forum for startups and investors in the Southeast, the AHIA (Advancing Healthcare Innovation in Africa) initiative, and more. Previously, Amelia was a senior principal at Accenture, and led a global Innovation initiative, where she was instrumental in visioning Accenture’s Innovation architecture.
Dr. Yongsun Paik
Professor of International Business & Management
Loyola Marymount University

Paik is director of the Center for Asian Business and Center for International Business Education (CIBE) at Loyola Marymount University. Interest areas include international human resources management, business ethics, cross-border M&A/joint ventures, and East Asia. Prior to joining LMU, Paik taught at the University of Washington, Seattle and worked as a country economist at the Export-Import Bank of Korea. He served as a visiting professor in Korea and at Thunderbird’s American Graduate School of International Management. He is an editorial board member for the Journal of World Business and the Thunderbird International Business Review, and former president of the Association of Korean Management Scholars. He has published three books and 50+ articles in major international business and management journals. Yongsun is a highly-decorated academic with awards including the Fulbright Senior Specialist Program, Korea Foundation Fellowship, Carnegie Bosch Institute Research Grant, etc.

Overlooked America: Building Jobs and Tech Skills feat. fmr US Secretary Carlos Gutierrez
2020-11-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
This panel conversation will feature experts in digital skills development, rural employment, and global labor force trends.Experts in digital skills development, rural employment, and global labor force trends will discuss how to build jobs in the community, match the right skills with the right jobs, and how workers can figure out the next steps in the tech sector employment journey.

Make sure to join if you are a public official trying to figure out how to build skills and jobs in your community. An employer or headhunter trying to match the right skills with the right jobs. Or if you are a worker/student trying to figure out the next steps in the tech sector employment journey.

Brought you by the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Institute:
Committed in breaking down barriers between public, private, and nonprofit sectors to identify common problems and engage technology experts to find a path forward.

Geschäfte mit den USA - das Land voller Gegensätze verstehen
2020-11-25 09:30 - 10:20 | Zoom
Endlich verständlich: USA
Die Wahlen des Jahres 2020 und der bevorstehende Regierungswechsel haben erneut gezeigt: Die Vereinigten Staaten bleiben ein Land mit Widersprüchen und zum Teil gegenläufigen Kulturen.
Vermeiden Sie interkulturelle Zwischenfälle bei der Zusammenarbeit mit Kollegen, Kunden und Zulieferern in den USA. Tappen Sie nicht in die Ähnlichkeitsfalle: Firmen aus dem deutschsprachigen Raum lassen sich oft täuschen von der Annahme, Amerika und Mitteleuropa seien einander kulturell ähnlich.
Ausgehend von dieser falschen Prämisse setzen Unternehmen beim Aufbau des US-Geschäfts Ziele fest, entwickeln Strategien, suchen Mitarbeiter aus, und definieren Organisationsstrukturen. Daraus entwickeln sich in der Regel teure Lektionen.
Die USA sind in mancher Hinsicht in der Tat eng mit dem deutschsprachigen Europa verwandt. Viel wichtiger ist – und oft wird das ignoriert oder es besteht kein Bewusstsein dafür – dass die USA sich gravierend von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz unterscheiden.
Wer in den Vereinigen Staaten Geschäfte machen will, kommt nicht darum herum die Kulturkluft zu erkennen und Wege zu entwickeln, diese zu überwinden. Wer glaubt, seine “deutsche Art Geschäfte zu machen” einfach nur auf Englisch fortführen zu können, wird in den USA scheitern. Beispiele hierfür gibt es genug.
In unserem Webinar erfahren Sie, was die wichtigsten Stolperfallen der American business culture sind. Wir zeigen Ihnen Methoden und Werkzeuge, mit denen Sie die Kulturkluft meistern können.
Was ist für Sie drin?
• Lernen Sie die wichtigsten cultural values der USA kennen, und wie diese sich im Vergleich zu den kulturellen Werten in D/A/CH verhalten
• Sehen Sie, wie diese Werte alle Belange des Business beeinflussen: Kommunikation, Verhandlungen, Geschäftsbeziehungen, Teamarbeit, Mitarbeiter- und Unternehmensführung, Problemlösung, Personalentwicklung
• Entdecken Sie Tools und Strategien, die Ihr US-Geschäft nach vorne bringen

Business with the U.S. - Understanding a Contradictory Country
2020-11-25 12:00 - 12:50 | Zoom
Learn how to avoid major cross-cultural mishaps when doing business with U.S. Americans.
The 2020 elections and the imminent change of leadership once again proved that the United States continues to be a country filled with contradictions and contrary cultural trends.
The United States is an exciting country. And a strange country. And many other adjectives. Especially right now, during a time of disruption, political change, and social unrest, this superpower of a nation is displaying its inconsistencies stronger than ever.
Yet, despite some contradictions, the U.S. remains an important global player. In order to successfully work with U.S. Americans, having a deeper understanding of the country’s cultural nuances is a critical requirement. The “American Way” isn’t always a clean-cut, singular process.
Do you want to accelerate your business success in the USA? Are you interested in protecting your investment in talent and assets?
Then you want to learn how to avoid major cross-cultural mishaps when doing business with U.S. Americans.
This webinar will walk you through the influences and frameworks of the business culture in the United States. It will showcase strategies and tools for organizations who want to minimize and even close the Culture Gap to the U.S.
In this webinar you will:
• learn to identify the main cultural values of the United States and how they might differ from those in your culture
• understand how these values impact communication, relationships, teamwork, and leadership
• develop an understanding of the cultural dynamics of business practices and behavior patterns
• discover tools and strategies which will boost your USA business

Global Startups: Challenges, Investment, Collaborations & Covid 19
2020-11-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Webinar
Global panelists will describe how they built their companies and habits that have helped them forward in spite of the barriers / perceived obstacles that top most people. The panel will foster dialogues on the actual startup, how, why, and when people make the decision to start funding for their startup.
Meet the host, moderator:
Nazeera Dawood

Meet the panel:
Ullas Kamath, Chair, Karnatake State Council FICCI, Joint Managing Director, Jyothy Laboratories Ltd

Jennifer Sparks, CEO, Vacmobile Corporation

Naganand Doraswamy, Managing Partner, Ideaspring Capital

Ashish Marayan Thakur, Board of Directors, Atlanta CEO Council

Helen Ho, Founding Partner, HKH Law LLC

Anand Sudarshan, Founder & Director, Sylvant Advisors Private Limited

Coffee Chat - Supply Chain Resiliency
2020-12-01 10:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
Building a Resilient Supply Chain

Grab a cup of your favorite morning drink, hop online, and join the virtual Coffee Chat with industry leaders from your membership!

COVID-19 completely upended business as usual – but it won’t be the last time that a pandemic turns your business upside-down. Join the coffee chat with industry leaders to learn how to better protect your business.

Meet the Guests:
Pieter van der Toorn, President, Interface Services

Philip Vervloesem, Senior Vice President, OMP

U.S.-Japan Alliance Under Biden feat. Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Shinsuke Sugiyama
2020-12-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
How will the next four years look for U.S.-Japan diplomacy and security affairs? Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Shinsuke Sugiyama will share what Japan hopes to achieve.

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide was among the first to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden. PM Suga tweeted that he is looking forward to further strengthening the US-Japan alliance.
How will the next four years look like for U.S.-Japan diplomacy and security affairs?
The challenge is moving from best wishes to concrete achievements. Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Shinsuke Sugiyama will share what Japan hopes to achieve as it builds bridges to the incoming U.S. administration.

The Power of Food: Binding us to our Culture and One Another
2020-12-01 18:00 - 20:00 | Webinar
A culinary and cultural night fundraiser for the Refugee Women’s Network.

Food is a universal experience. It can make you feel at home or connected to you home when you are far away. Although you eat everyday, you don’t always think about how food shapes culture, life, and relationships. Who doesn’t like a hot and fragrant home cooked meal?
The Refugees Women’s Network identified cooking as a common skill among the refugee community and designed an entrepreneurship development program around cooking: The Chefs Kitchen. The chefs in the program have vast knowledge of cooking age-old recipes and cooking techniques. Many of them are accomplished chefs and share keen interest in venturing into the food business.
In this event you are invited to:

Learn how to cook an appetizer in 20 minutes or less
Hear from refugee chefs about their journey and the importance of food to the refugee community
Gain a new perspective and appreciation for food

100% of the funds raised in this event will support the Chefs Kitchen Program:

Pay for chefs certification
Rental of kitchen facilities to train chefs
Cooking supplies
Helping chefs launch their own business
Provide access to mentorship and training programs

You are invited to make a donation to support the Chefs Kitchen Program:
https://www.gagives.org/story/Bzfkpf

The Nutcracker Drive-In Movie Experience
2020-12-02 00:00 - 2020-12-06 23:59 | Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Pkwy, Atlanta, GA, 30339, United States
For five nights in December, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre’s surface lot will be transformed into a pop-up drive-in movie theatre, where audiences can enjoy a filmed version of Atlanta Ballet’s newest production of The Nutcracker from the comfort of their own cars.
Tickets will be on sale on October 5, 2020, at 10 a.m. General admission tickets are $100 per car, with premium front-row parking at $150. Spaces are limited, so early purchases are encouraged.
This innovative production, which premiered in Atlanta in 2018, features larger-than-life sets and bold costumes enhanced by striking video projections, created by a world-class creative team that includes Tony Award-winning and -nominated designers.

COVID Consular Conversation: Pakistan
2020-12-03 11:00 - 12:00 | Webinar
The coronavirus pandemic has added a new dimension to international competition even as it has underscored global connectivity in a new and challenging way.
Diplomats working around the world to knit together a coordinated response are doing without their customary personal touch and with the added responsibility of shepherding their compatriots through an unprecedented health and economic crisis.
Join Global Atlanta December 3 for the sixth virtual edition of Consular Conversations, our ongoing series of interviews with consuls general working in the Southeast United States, sponsored by Miller & Martin PLLC. This time, we focus on the Islamic Republic of Pakistan with our special guest Abrar H. Hashmi, the consul general of Pakistan to the United States in Houston
Our monthly luncheons may be on indefinite hiatus, but these discussions are as important as ever at a time when cross-border collaboration is at a premium.
Registration Details
Registration is limited to the first 100 attendees. Global Atlanta email newsletter subscribers and Consular Conversations annual pass holders will be prioritized.
This event is free, but the $40 Consular Conversations annual pass is available. While we’re unable to meet in person or offer luncheons for the foreseeable pandemic future, we’re providing the following benefits to those who buy/renew the pass through the end of 2020:

Early notification and priority registration for limited virtual event slots

Extension of annual pass validity to all in-person luncheons through the end of 2021

Access to digital recordings of live online events, even without attending

Access to e-book with Consular Conversations summaries

You can buy the pass here.

Or register free here.

About our speaker:
Abrar H. Hashmi – Curriculum Vitae

Mr. Hashmi is a career diplomat. Before joining as Consul General in Houston, he held important assignments both at Pakistan Missions Abroad and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad, as follows.
He is married and has three children.

Academic Qualifications
i. Masters in International Policy;
ii. Masters in Diplomacy (Australia 2007-09);
iii. Bachelors of Science (Peshawar University 1991-93)
iv. Fellow on “fresh water diplomacy” (2017-18) at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA), Carleton University, Canada
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad
i. Director General of Protocol (2016-2019) responsible for providing services to the Foreign Diplomatic Missions in Pakistan;
ii. Helped craft and implemented Pakistan’s E-visa as lead person;
iii. Director Kashmir & India (2009-10) dealing with bilateral political issues, Kashmir dispute and water sharing etc.
iv. Deputy Director (Personnel) and Director to the Special Secretary (2006-07);
v. Assistant Director responsible for maters relating to Kashmir dispute & human rights etc.;
vi. Desk Officer (Southeast Asia & Pacific) dealt with bilateral and ASEAN matters;
vii. Joined Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1999.
Pakistan Missions Abroad
i. Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan to Canada (2014-2016) covering political, commercial and cultural bonds and that for Trinidad & Tobago.
ii. Counsellor Political (2010-2014) at High Commission for Pakistan, New Delhi, responsible for the bilateral political/dialogue process, visa and pilgrims issues.
iii. Second Secretary (2003-06) Beirut, Lebanon and the Republic of Cyprus.
iv. Embassy of Pakistan, Kuwait where also learnt Arabic.

Sponsored By:

Retaining Talent in North America: What Can Canada Offer?
2020-12-03 11:30 - 12:30 | Webinar
As companies and foreign nationals face temporary headwinds from US immigration, Canada emerges as a strong option to retain talent in North America. Proximity, interdependence, and complimenting culture makes it easy to leverage trade, investment, and immigration opportunities. The expert panel discussion will focus various mechanisms readily available for this.
Featured panelists:
David Weiner
Consul & Senior Trade Commissioner
Consulate General of Canada, Atlanta

Anita Ninan, Esq.
Founder & Prinicpal Attorney, Ninan Legal LLC

Marie-Claire Lemay
Consul (Migration)
Consulate General of Canada
Miami, USA

Naumaan Hameed
Partner, Canadian Practive Leader, B.A.,LLB.
Certified Specialist in Immigration Law
KPMG LLP

Moderator:
SK Raj
President, GIACC

Doing Business in South Korea
2020-12-03 12:00 - 12:45 | Zoom
The OECD projects that because of its effective response to COVID-19, Korea’s will drop only 1% in 2020. Want to learn more about business opportunities in the Republic of Korea? Join James Kim and Craig Lesser on December 3. ​
Korea is an economic miracle. From one of the poorest countries in the 1950s – South Korea’s GDP per capita was lower that North Korea’s at the end of the Korean War – Korea has transformed from a recipient of international assistance to an aid donor with a US$2.2 trillion economy and free trade agreements with the US, the EU, and China.
Mr. Kim is the Chairman & CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea and the former CEO of GK Korea. Craig Lesser, Managing Partner of the Pendleton Group, was the Georgia Commissioner of Trade when Kia decided to build its assembly plant in Georgia.

Virtual Tour of YKK's Passive Town in Japan - A Model for Sustainable Living
2020-12-03 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Go behind the scenes of Passive Town, a new eco-friendly residential complex YKK is developing in Kurobe, Japan. The complex makes use of solar light and heat, underground water, seasonal winds and trees in an attempt to cut back on energy consumption by 50% – 60% compared to regular houses in the area. Passive Town was the first residential development in Japan to be named a winner of the LEED Homes Award.
The event will be hosted by:
Jessica Cork
VP, Community Engagement & Communications YKK Corporation of America

The U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) Program Trade's Best Kept Secret
2020-12-03 14:00 - 15:00 | Webinar
The secret is out. The FTZ program has always helped U.S. manufacturing and distribution operations compete with their foreign competitors. 85 years after Congress established the program, importers and exporters are finding new ways FTZ status can add value in an environment of trade sanctions and supply chain disruption. The U.S. FTZ program helps buffer companies against fast changes in supply, demand, trade policy and tariffs. World Trade Center Savannah in partnership with ISCM will share information about the function and benefits of FTZ’s.
Featured Speakers:
Leigh Ryan, World Trade Center Savannah
Melissa Irmen, ISCM
What guests will learn:

Determine how the program assists importers and exporters financially
Define what makes the program exceptionally relevant in an era of trade and supply chain disruption
Explore why the program is a must for certain industries
Understand where to learn more about the FTZ program if the benefits look attractive to you
Determine how to get the federal approval process started

A Q&A session will follow the presentation. This event is hosted by the National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones. For more information, contact Victoria Cartwright.

J Street Georgia End-of-Year Event with Peter Beinart
2020-12-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Webinar
Join for a celebration and fundraiser in support of J Street’s work, featuring a conversation with New York Times Columnist Peter Beinart about the election, the state of US politics and the future of US foreign policy toward Israel and the Palestinians.
Peter inspired vigorous debate in the American Jewish community earlier this year with his essay on a Zionist imagining of a one-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He’s also a brilliant commentator on US politics. He will offer a unique perspective to hear from in the wake of the election about what the results will mean for the future of the US-Israel relationship and the US policy toward the Middle East more broadly.
All ticket purchases are tax-deductible donations to J Street Education Fund. The event is free and open to the public, donations are encouraged.

GCIV Annual Virtual Holiday Celebration
2020-12-03 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
Please join GCIV’s Annual Virtual Holiday Celebration.
Learn more about the Foreign Service, the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and get to know other individuals inspired to cultivate positive global change.
You will hear a brief presentation by a former GCIV volunteer who currently covers gender equality, entrepreneurship, and health for the Bureau of African Affairs (AF). Kelley Whitson previously worked in the office of the AF Assistant Secretary as a Staff Assistant, and completed overseas tours in Copenhagen, Denmark and Monterrey, Mexico. Prior to joining the U.S. Department of State in 2014, Whitson worked as a Community Planner at the Department of Transportation, completed a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Malaysia, and participated in the Rangel Summer Enrichment Program. She is also a Rangel Fellow. Whitson holds a master’s degree in International Development from American University and a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Spelman College.
Event is complimentary, but please RSVP for the Zoom link! To RSVP or check your membership status, email emily@gciv.org.

Interface: An Evening of New Virtual Plays
2020-12-04 19:30 - 2020-12-06 17:30 | GA
Gather the entire family for “Interface: An Evening of New Virtual Plays,” going live Dec. 4-6, 2020. Featuring six new, 15-minute plays written by Atlanta-based playwrights, “Interface” uses theater to reflect on society’s evolving relationship with technology over the last 20 years. Each play is set in a different time during the 21st century and the scripts make use of chat boxes, screen sharing and other interactive online tools—so get ready to have some fun.
WHAT WILL INTERFACE BE LIKE? Remember back in the day when telephone lines crossed, you might overhear another person’s phone call? Interface will feel something like that, except this time you’ll be dropped into the lives of teens having a conversation in a chat room; a young couple falling in and out of love over Skype; an older couple using iPads to keep in touch with family overseas while facing Alzheimer’s; a Vine star consulting her besties about out how to date online after a public breakup; conversations on Zoom between fathers and sons trying to heal their relationships; and two friends seeing each other for the first time since COVD-19 pandemic.
“Interface: An Evening of New Virtual Plays” will be broadcast Dec. 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m. on YouTube and Facebook Live. Tickets are available at Interface2020.eventbrite.com for a suggested donation of $10. All donations will be split among the 24 local artists involved in the project. Funding for this program is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.

Atlanta International School Virtual Open House
2020-12-05 09:30 - 11:30 | Online
You are invited to a virtual Open House this coming Saturday, December 5 at 9.30 am. Prospective parents will have the opportunity to engage with our academic leaders, student ambassadors and admission team who will provide a deeper understanding of our IB curriculum from preschool to Grade 12 and our unique international community. The session will conclude with a Q&A session.
Atlanta International School (AIS) offers all three International Baccalaureate (IB) programs to 1,260 U.S. and international students from three-year-old Kindergarten to Grade 12. Rigorous academics are enriched by a world-class language acquisition program.
A full immersion Preschool program for children ages 3-4 is taught by mother tongue speakers in French, German, Chinese and Spanish.
In the Primary years, students learn the curriculum in two languages with dual immersion in French, German and Spanish and partial immersion in Chinese, using an inquiry-based IB curriculum.
During the Middle Years Program, students are introduced to interdisciplinary learning, equipping them with skills to make connections and solve problems from multiple angles, an ideal preparation for the challenges of the prestigious IB Diploma Program.
Beyond the classroom, AIS students participate in award-winning performing and fine arts opportunities, competitive athletics, and global experiential learning. AIS offers STEM and STEAM-endorsed and bilingual diplomas in addition to the prestigious IB diploma.
Along with the authorization to offer IB education, AIS is also accredited by the following academic programs: AdvanceED, Agency of French Teaching Abroad (aefe), Council for International Schools (CIS), European Council for International Schools (ECIS), and Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).
