The Creative Coast’s blogspot is Savannah’s sounding board for local thinkers, innovators, wanderers and wonderers. Guest bloggers share their thoughts, opinions and creative noodling from all over the map. This week’s guest blogger is Brynn Grant, Vice President of Competitive Positioning at Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA). A conversation with Brynn always leaves one thinking bigger and further outside the sandbox.
Its widely known that Savannah has been a center for commerce since its founding in 1733. By the late 1700s, it was considered one of the most important cities in the world for international business and trade. Today, Savannah is a location for several global companies, the world headquarters for Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation and the North American headquarters for JCB, particularly. It is home to the 4th largest port in the U.S., 42nd in the world, and recognized internationally as a destination for tourism.
How are we maximizing these assets for the greatest possible economic benefits? Whos doing what? Is there a collaborative, comprehensive and proactive plan for our city, our county, or the region as a whole? If not, should there be? And then, what kind of structure, plan or approach will have the highest value and greatest possible return? As part of the competitive positioning directed by our 5-Year Strategic Plan, SEDA is asking these questions.
What we know for sure is that more people than ever before, especially in countries such as Brazil, Russia, India and China, are moving into middle and high income brackets, creating very powerful consumer markets outside of the U.S. And the importance of these markets will only increase over time. Global economists project that in less than five years these global economies will each exceed populations of over a billion potential consumers. That presents exciting opportunities for American products and services, for Georgia and for the entire Savannah region.
The Georgia Ports Authority is doing their job, and doing it well, every single day. The Department of Commerce has a District Export Council office based in Savannah, serving all of South Georgia. The Georgia Department of Economic Development offers valuable trade support services statewide. The City of Savannah has recognized the need for a global presence and formed the Greater Savannah International Alliance (GSIA), on which I serve, to advise and support the Citys internationally-focused efforts. The Savannah Area Chamber and SEDA are often called upon for support or have undertaken various initiatives over the years.
But no one to my knowledge owns the space. And I mean that more from an accountability perspective than from any other. We each seem to have our slice of the pie but is there a piece missing? Who is collectively tracking whos visiting Savannah already and for what purpose? Who knows who else might be interested in coming to Savannah if proactively solicited? What companies throughout the region are already doing business globally and which companies would like to be but dont know how? How might a world renowned brand for international business service advance our regional position and increase opportunities internationally? Is there a way for all of this to be combined and marketed to elevate the entire Savannah regions profile on the world stage and maximize international opportunities for measurable business results?
Former corporate sales and marketing executive turned local entrepreneur Kevin Werntz has been retained to help SEDA evaluate these questions and develop a viable, sustainable business model based on the answers. Due diligence is well underway, and we welcome dialogue.
One of several options being explored, as has been reported in the Savannah Morning News and South Magazine, is the establishment of a World Trade Center Savannah. If you do not know much about World Trade Centers beyond the towers that once stood in NYC, there is far more to know than could be explained here. If you do have an interest, please take some time to do a little research for yourself. You might start here: http://www.wtcaonline.com/cms_wtca/.
Whatever we do, if we do anything, it will need the support and partnered efforts of the community to be successful. There are those who may never need international business research or business development services. Many who will not be traveling abroad to develop business contacts and opportunities and so will not need assistance doing so. Many who will never host a visiting Japanese dignitary and so will not need to know the protocol for such a thing. But many will, and many more could. So, if your business had the opportunity to reach an international market, what would you like your international business services organization to look like? And what would it do for you?
Now that’s a good question!
Brynn