Go Global Conference Kicks Off in Atlanta With Focus on Transactions Over Talk 

An international business conference that bills itself as exchanging endless panels for targeted cross-border business facilitation has kicked off in Atlanta.

The Atlanta Black Chambers’ Global Opportunities Committee is billing its event as an “un”conference that focuses on AI-driven matchmaking to drive deals over discussions. 

The Go Global Conference, taking place at Uptown Atlanta Thursday through Saturday, is in its second year, though this is the first in which it has undertaken a full program, with about 100 participating companies engaging in preset B2B matchmaking appointments. 

“We believe that less talk and more transaction is the deal,” said Ricardo Berris, the founder of Mi Group and the chair of the committee, at the welcome reception Wednesday evening. “Make the most of it, because the conversations you start tonight can actually lead to partnerships that last a lifetime.” 

The four-day event has attracted delegations from around the world, including tech, hospitality and e-commerce companies from Canada; a wine, tea, decor and food delegation from South Africa led by Wesgro; and a group brought by the West London Chamber of Commerce. Located near Heathrow Airport, many of the chamber’s delegates are involved in airport business and were interested in procurement opportunities at the world’s busiest airport in Atlanta.

Other individuals and delegations came from Kenya, Colombia, Nigeria, Mauritius, Guyana, Ethiopia, Germany, Tanzania, Haiti, Liberia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and, of course, the United States. 

Following a video message from Mayor Andre Dickens, a parade of speakers during the opening night positioned Atlanta as a global trade hub, an exemplar of Black excellence and a crucial gateway to important regions of Black heritage like the Caribbean and Africa. 

Former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety, who spotlighted Atlanta during his tenure at the embassy Pretoria, said Atlanta “not just another American city” but is “America’s gateway to Africa.”

Mr. Brigety, now president of Africa-focused strategic advisory firm Busara Advisors, underscored that “Africa is the future” for global business, as it will be the source for half of the new entrants into the global workforce by 2030 and a quarter of all humanity by 2050. 

“That’s not conjecture; those people have already been born,” Mr. Brigety said. 

He noted that Busara is aiming to help U.S. firms see the opportunities in Africa more clearly, closing the gap between “perceived risk and real risk.” 

Among other headliners was Canadian Consul General Rosaline Kwan, who said the conference was furthering the goals articulated by Rosemary Brown, the first Black woman elected to the Canadian parliament, who advocated for opening doors that others would walk through. 

“We need to open the doors and to see that those doors remain open,” said the consul general, who seconded all the positive statements about the city where she has been posted for nearly two years. 

Remarks from other international government representatives included Philipp Clarke, director of trade at the British Consulate General Atlanta; Ambassador Sheik Al Moustapha Kouyateh, ambassador at large of special duties for the president’s office of Liberia; and Ambassador Isaiya Kabria, secretary for diaspora investments, skills and entrepreneurship of Kenya. 

Representatives from Ethiopian Airlines, Invest Atlanta, the Georgia Haitian American Chamber and other organizations also joined the kick-off celebration. 

To attend the event or request matchmaking participation, learn more here. Individual tickets are also available for Saturday’s closing reception and can be purchased here.

See the full slate of reception speakers below: