South Carolina Welcomes National, International Trade Partners this Weekend

South Carolina will open the 5th Annual Southeastern U.S. Canadian Provinces (SEUS-CP) trade conference on Sunday in Myrtle Beach.

More than 300 Canadian and US business and government leaders will connect at the Marriott Resort at Grand Dunes to promote trade and investment opportunities during the three-day conference that will highlight areas for collaboration, encourage two-way trade, and promote technical partnerships.

Sen. Lindsey Graham will address conference attendees during the Sunday dinner.

A number of other speakers and panelists will address the conference, including: Gary Doer, ambassador for Canada to the United States; Marco Cavazzoni, vice president and General Manager Final Assembly and Delivery of Boeing South Carolina; Geoffrey S. Aucoin, general manager of Michelin North America Inc.; Derek Burleton, vice president and deputy chief economist of TD Bank Financial Group; Mark Vitner, managing director and senior economist at Wells Fargo Securities; Inta Zvagulis, president of BuildIT Software & Solutions; John Costanzo, president of Purolator International; Mike Fisher, general manager of Consolidated Cargo Carriers; and Dr. Robert Perkins, vice president of Brokerage Strategy for Livingston International Inc.

David Wilkins, former Speaker of the South Carolina House and US ambassador to Canada, is the co-chair of the conference’s business program and is happy to host Canadians in Myrtle Beach.

“We are so honored to host this important conference that strengthens the ties between our member states and provinces. In this time of global economic worries and uncertainty our bilateral relationship is even more important. It is incumbent on us to never take our world-class trade relationship for granted. This is all about safeguarding and growing economic development and opportunity for all of us,” Wilkins said.

SEUS-CP is a formal, strategic partnership between states in the southeastern United States and member provinces from Canada. Delegations convene annually for a business-to-business conference.

SEUS-CP member U.S. states include Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Member Canadian provinces include Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.