Successful FDI mission to Frankfurt strengthens ties with German companies, partners

May 24, 2017

Last week, the Tampa Bay Export Alliance (TBEA) hosted a business development mission to Frankfurt, Germany, marking its fifth regional mission together. The Germany mission was aimed at attracting foreign direct investment to the Tampa Bay region. With the addition of direct flights on Lufthansa, doing business between Tampa and Frankfurt has never been easier, making Tampa Bay an ideal location for German companies interested in establishing a U.S. presence. The mission’s 15 participants, representing Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties, were from businesses such as SunTrust Bank, Moffitt Cancer Center, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP, Tampa International Airport, Hillsborough Community College, and Diamond View Studios.

On the day of arrival in Frankfurt, the delegation attended an evening reception hosted by the U.S. Consul General Jim Herman at his residence. The business reception offered attendees the opportunity to network with business prospects in Germany as well as partners from Visit Tampa Bay and Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, who were also in town at a corporate incentives trade show promoting Tampa Bay as a tourism destination.

The following day included a tour of Lufthansa’s headquarters, where attendees learned more about the airline’s history and operations. The day concluded with a dinner hosted by Tampa International Airport with more networking opportunities for mission delegates. The final day of the mission was free for delegates to visit clients in Frankfurt and the surrounding areas. During the three day trip, the EDC representatives had their own agenda of private meetings with prospect companies.

“Unlike a trade mission, there are no hard numbers to report, but FDI-focused missions are just as important,” said Craig J. Richard, President and CEO of the Tampa Hillsborough EDC. “In addition to our FDI meetings, missions like this give delegates the opportunity to connect and strengthen relationships with our many partners and clients overseas, which in turn, grows our international outreach.”

This was the first FDI-focused mission for TBEA, a cooperative effort of Pinellas County Economic Development, the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, and the Pasco Economic Development Council. For more information on the mission and other TBEA events, please visit www.tampabayexportalliance.com.