The Americas

Competitiveness
Exchange on
Innovation and
Entrepreneurship
First Edition: March 31st April 4th
in the United States
Atlanta, GA
Greenville, SC
Conover, NC
Kannapolis, NC
Charlotte, NC
A RIAC Activity towards the
VIII Americas Competitiveness Forum
#ACXchange
FINAL REPORT
3 About the Americas Competitiveness Exchange on
Innovation and Entrepreneurship

4 Convening Institutions

5 Agenda

13 List of Participants

17 List of Contact in the Visits

21 Testimonies

26 Survey Results

27 Photos

29 The Exchange @ Twitter

31 Press Releases

32 More Information and Support
I NDE X
FINAL REPORT
F i n a l Re p o r t o f T h e A me r i c a s Co mp e t i t i v e n e s s
E x c h a n g e o n I n n o v a t i o n a n d E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p
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The Americas Competitiveness Exchange on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ACE)
was a high-level visit and cooperative exchange that was organized by the U.S.
Government and the Organization of American States through the Inter-American
Competitiveness Network (RIAC).
The Exchange showcased advanced technology centers, innovation hubs and
public-private partnerships and investments in urban and rural America cities: Atlanta,
Greenville, Conover, Kannapolis and Charlotte. Sites visits were organized to research
and development centers in the medical, agro-industrial, manufacturing, and automative
industries through the States of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, some of
which were featured in the 2012 and 2013 Signs of Competitiveness in the Americas
Reports. This was the frst activity under RIACs Work Plan for 2014 to deepen the
exchange of the more than 100 successful experiences that countries have shared
through RIAC.
The ACE was a great opportunity for decision and policy makers in the Americas to
see the results of economic development initiatives and meet high level authorities,
leaders of private sector associations, public and private universities with research and
innovation centers, looking to explore and expand the links between our economies
and key stakeholders.
About The Americas
Competitiveness
Exchange on Innovation
and Entrepreneurship
F i n a l Re p o r t o f T h e A me r i c a s Co mp e t i t i v e n e s s
E x c h a n g e o n I n n o v a t i o n a n d E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p
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The Exchange was convened by the U.S. Government and the Organization of
American States through the Inter-American Competitiveness Network (RIAC).
The Exchange was made possible thanks to the support of the RIAC Chair Pro
Tempore 2014, the Honourable Bhoendradatt Tewarie, Minister of Planning and
Sustainable Development of Trinidad and Tobago; the United States Government
through the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of State; and
the OAS Executive Secretariat for Integral Development.
Financial support
Partial economic assistance was available for qualifed nominated participants
that requested support, particularly from smaller economies.
Financial support for this activity was provided by the Government of the United
States and the Government of Canada through its Department of Foreign Affairs,
Trade and Development (DFATD).
Convening
Institutions

F i n a l Re p o r t o f T h e A me r i c a s Co mp e t i t i v e n e s s
E x c h a n g e o n I n n o v a t i o n a n d E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p
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Monday, March 31
Agenda
Time Activity and Location Host
5:15 PM
5:50 PM
6:00 PM
Group Welcome & Introduction
Omni Hotel
Cottonwood Room
Atlanta, GA
Opening Day Group Photo
Centennial Olympic Park Atlanta, GA
Opening Reception and Networking
Event
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce,
Rooftop 235 Andrew Young International
Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA
Walter Bastian
Deputy Assistant Secretary
of Commerce International
Trade Administration
Jorge Fernandez
Vice President of Global
Commerce
Metro Atlanta Chamber
Walter Bastian
Deputy Assistant Secretary
of Commerce
International Trade
Administration
Congressman Filemon Vela
(D TX 34)
Congressman Beto ORourke
(D TX 16)
Tom Guevara
Deputy Assistant Secretary of
Commerce Economic
Development Administration
Sherry Tross
Executive Secretary for Integral
Development Organization
of American States
Vinai Thummalapally
Executive Director SelectUSA
Tuesday, April 1
Time Activity and Location Host
8:00 AM
Continental Breakfast
GCMI 575 14TH ST, NW Atlanta, GA 30318
Global Center for Medical
Innovation (GCMI)
F i n a l Re p o r t o f T h e A me r i c a s Co mp e t i t i v e n e s s
E x c h a n g e o n I n n o v a t i o n a n d E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p
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Agenda
9:30 AM
9:50 AM
8:45 AM
Group 1: Tour of GCMI
Group 2: Overview of ATDC Incubator
Group 1: Overview of ATDC Incubator
Group 2: Tour of GCMI
Discussion: GCMI,
Advanced Technology Development
Center (ATDC),
and VentureLab GCMI 575 14TH ST,
NW Atlanta, GA 30318
Group 1: Tiffany Karp
Executive Director GCMI
Group 2: KP Reddy
General Manager ATDC
Group 1: KP Reddy
General Manager ATDC
Group 2: Tiffany Karp
Executive Director GCMI
Dr. Steve Cross
Executive Vice President
Georgia Institute of Technology
Time Activity and Location Host
10:30 AM
10:50 AM
11:45 AM
12:15 PM
Group 1: Tour of ATDC
Group 2: Discussion: The Georgia Tech
University Center
75 5TH ST NW Atlanta, GA 30308
Group 1: Discussion: The Georgia Tech
Group 2: Tour of ATDC
University Center
75 5TH ST NW Atlanta, GA 30308
Lunch
Hodges Room Centergy
Discussion: Jobs Accelerator Atlanta
Health Information Technology,
Manufacturing Extension Partnership,
and VentureLab
Group 1: KP Reddy
General Manager ATDC
Group 2: Charles Ross
Director, Start Up Network
Group 1: Charles Ross
Director, Start Up Network
Group 2: KP Reddy
General Manager ATDC
Marla Gorges
Executive Vice President Health@EI2
Georgia Tech/SETAAC

Karen Fite
Director of the Georgia Manufacturing
Extension Partnership
Keith McGreggor
Director VentureLab
Kevin Johnson
Invest Atlanta
F i n a l Re p o r t o f T h e A me r i c a s Co mp e t i t i v e n e s s
E x c h a n g e o n I n n o v a t i o n a n d E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p
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Agenda
Time Activity and Location Host
2:30 PM
Board Bus for Greenville, SC GCMG
7:30 PM
10:00 PM
Greenville Dinner and Networking
Reception
Clemson at One
1 North Main ST
Greenville, SC
Return to Hotel
Knox White
Mayor Greenville
Walter Bastian
Deputy Assistant Secretary
of Commerce International
Trade Administration
Greenville Chamber
of Commerce
Wednesday, April 2
Time Activity and Location Host
9:00 AM
Discussion: Clemson University
International Center for Automotive
Research (CU-ICAR)

1. CU-ICAR + Component Testing Lab
(CTL) Overview
2. Academic Model Automotive
Engineering at CU-ICAR
TD Gallery Ground Level, Partnership
Place, 5 Research Drive Greenville, SC
Fred Cartwright
Executive Director
CUICAR
Dr. Imtiaz Haque
Executive Director of the
Carroll A. Campbell Graduate
Engineering Center and
Founding Chair of the
Department of Automotive
Engineering
Clemson University
10:00 AM
10:30 AM
SC Department of Commerce Discussion:
Public Private Partnerships
Break
Secretary of Commerce
Bobby Hitt
State of South Carolina
F i n a l Re p o r t o f T h e A me r i c a s Co mp e t i t i v e n e s s
E x c h a n g e o n I n n o v a t i o n a n d E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p
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Agenda
Time Activity and Location Host
11:30 AM
10:45AM
Lunch
Discussion: A.J. Whittenberg
Elementary School of Engineering
Dr. Nikolaos (Nick) Rigas
Director of the SCE&G
Energy Innovation Center and
Executive Director of the
Restoration Institute
Clemson University
12:30 PM
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
SCE&G Energy Innovation Center:
A Model in Public/Private Partnership
CUICAR Campus Tour (CGEC, CTL, ETC.)
Discussion: Association of University
Research Parks (AURP) & Best Practices
in Economic Development
Dr. Nikolaos (Nick) Rigas
Director of the SCE&G
Energy Innovation Center
and Executive Director of
the Restoration Institute
Clemson University
TBD CGEC Team Member
Rob McDaris Manager
CUICAR
Eileen Walker
Chief Executive Offcer
Association of University
Research Parks
Kevin Byrne
Vice President and COO
University Financing
Foundation
4:00 PM
2:45 PM
3:00 PM
3:30 PM
Tour of BMW Manufacturing
1400 Highway 101 South,
Greer, SC 29651
Break
Board Bus
Depart for Afternoon Activities
Max Metcaff
Communications Manager
BMW
Amber Scruggs
BMW
7:30 PM
Group Photo & Meet Upstate
International Hosts for Dinner
Falls Park Entrance on Main Street
Waterfalls of Downtown Greenville
F i n a l Re p o r t o f T h e A me r i c a s Co mp e t i t i v e n e s s
E x c h a n g e o n I n n o v a t i o n a n d E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p
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Time Activity and Location Host
Agenda
7:45 PM
Dinner on Your Own
Downtown Greenville
9:30 AM
Welcome
301 Conover Station SE,
Conover, NC 28613
Mayor Lee Moritz
City of Conover
Tom Guevara
Deputy Assistant Secretary
of Commerce
Economic Development
Administration
Walter Bastian
Deputy Assistant Secretary
of Commerce
International Trade
Administration
Thursday, April 3
Time Activity and Location Host
10:00 AM
10:30 AM
11:45 AM
Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC)
History and Its Evolution
Tour of MSC
Q&A with MSC
Mayor Lee Moritz
President
Catawba Valley Community
College
Dan St. Louis
MSC Director
NOON
1:15 PM
Lunch and Networking with Businesses
from MSC
Board Bus for Kannapolis, NC
F i n a l Re p o r t o f T h e A me r i c a s Co mp e t i t i v e n e s s
E x c h a n g e o n I n n o v a t i o n a n d E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p
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Agenda
Time Activity and Location Host
2:30 PM
5:00 PM
Discussion and Tour of North Carolina
Research Campus in Kannapolis
150 Research Campus Drive,
Kannapolis, NC 28081
Board Bus for Charlotte
Clyde Higgs
Vice President
Business Development
NC Research Campus
Patrick Coughlin
President & CEO
Cabarrus Regional Chamber
of Commerce Partnership
Darrell Hinnant
Mayor - Kannapolis
Mike Legg
City Manager - Kannapolis
7:15 PM
Networking Reception with Community
Partners, Dinner with Acting Charlotte
Mayor and Industry Leaders
Mint Museum Uptown
500 S. Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Acting Mayor of Charlotte
Matt Erskine
Deputy Assistant Secretary
of Commerce - Economic
Development Administration
Walter Bastian
Deputy Assistant Secretary
of Commerce - International
Trade Administration
Nancy Carter
Chair International Cabinet
Lawrence Gumbiner
Deputy U.S. Permanent
Representative at the U.S.
Mission to the Organization
of American States
Other Public and Private Sector
Leaders from The Greater
Charlotte Metro Region
10:00 PM
Return to Hotel
F i n a l Re p o r t o f T h e A me r i c a s Co mp e t i t i v e n e s s
E x c h a n g e o n I n n o v a t i o n a n d E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p
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Agenda
Time Activity and Location Host
Friday, April 4
10:15 AM
11:45 AM
8:00 AM
Tour and Discussion of Packard Place
222 S Church ST, Charlotte, NC 28202
Closing Remarks
Tour and Discussion of EPIC/IDEAS
Center
UNC Charlotte 8700 Phillips RD,
Charlotte, NC 28223
Matt Erskine
Deputy Assistant Secretary of
Commerce
Economic Development
Administration
Walter Bastian
Deputy Assistant Secretary of
Commerce
International Trade
Administration
Vice President
UNC Charlotte
F i n a l Re p o r t o f T h e A me r i c a s Co mp e t i t i v e n e s s
E x c h a n g e o n I n n o v a t i o n a n d E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p
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Country Name Title
Argentina
Barbados
Belize
Colombia
Costa Rica
Guillermo
Acosta
Anne Patricia
Reid
Michael Singh
Lejia Melanie
Gideon
Rosario Crdoba
Juan Felipe
Quintero
Velia Helena
Govaere
Jos C. Quirce
Secretary of Industry, Province
of Cordoba
CEO Barbados Private Sector
Association
Chief Executive Offcer of
Ministry of Trade, Investment
Promotion and Consumer
Protection
Deputy Executive Director
of Belize Trade and
Investment Development
Services (BELTRAIDE)
President, Private
Competitiveness Council
Secretary General/
Research Associate Private
Competitiveness Council
Executive Director of the
Competitiveness Promotion
Council, Private sector
association
Director of Trade Offce,
Washington, D.C.
List of participants
Dominican
Republic
Angel Alfonso
Willmore
Tamara Vsquez
Director of Innovation,
Enterprise Development
and Entrepreneurship,
Iberoamerican University,
Santo Domingo
Coordinator of the Innovation
and Entrepreneurship Areas,
National Competitiveness
Council
Email
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
F i n a l Re p o r t o f T h e A me r i c a s Co mp e t i t i v e n e s s
E x c h a n g e o n I n n o v a t i o n a n d E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p
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Country Name Title
Honduras
Ecuador
Jamaica
El
Salvador
Guatemala
Ana Lourdes
Laffte Licona
Sergio Flores
Edwin Andrs
Crdova
Julian Robinson
Claudine Keisha
Tracey
Audrey Elaine
Richards
Luis Alonso
Martnez
Jaime Roberto
Daz Palacios
Hugo Figueroa
Marroqun
Vera Domnguez
Caldern
Vice-Chancellor of the Central
American Technological
University (UNITEC),
San Pedro Sula
President of Escuela Superior Po-
litcnica del Litoral (ESPOL)
President of the Ecuadorian
School of Textils Engineers
Minister of Statein theMinistry of
Science, Technology, Energy and
Mining (MSTEM)
General Manager of the Strategic
Services Division of the
Development Bank of Jamaica
(DBJ)
Project Manager, Jamaica Venture
Capital Program
Director of Entrepreneurship and
Innovation Center, San Franciso
Gavidia University (UFG)
Executive Director of the National
Competitiveness Program
Director of Technology and
Innovation of the National
Science Council
Analyst Coordinator,
Competitiveness and Access
Division, Guatemalan Association
of Exporters (AGEXPORT)
List of participants
Email
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
F i n a l Re p o r t o f T h e A me r i c a s Co mp e t i t i v e n e s s
E x c h a n g e o n I n n o v a t i o n a n d E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p
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Country Name Title
Mexico
Miguel Odiln
Chavez-Lomeli
Liliana Cedillo
Daz
Alejandro
Eugenio
Fernndez
Liliana Reyes
Daniel Moska
Mariano
Gamboa
Alberto Saracho
Guillermo
Fernndez
Luis Armando
Bravo
Carlos Iglesias
Ricardo Ludlow
Ruy Cervantes
Innovation Director, National
Council of Science and Technology
(CONACYT)
General Director of the
Competitiveness & Innovation
Center of the State of
Aguascalientes
Secretary of Economy and
Employment Development for
the City of Matamoros, State
of Tamaulipas
Venture Capital Manager, INADEM
Dean, Monterrey Institute
of Technology and Higher
Education (ITESM)
General Coordinator of IT
and Communication Services,
CINVESTAV
President and CEO, C-230 -
Fundacion Idea
Chief Executive Offcer, FUMEC
PROBIONICS
Founder and CEO, NeteMedical
Director of the Entrepreneurial
Competitiveness Institute,
Hidalgo State
Coordinator of Innovation Culture
Programs; Ministry of Innovation,
Science and Technology of
the State of Jalisco
List of participants
Email
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected];
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

F i n a l Re p o r t o f T h e A me r i c a s Co mp e t i t i v e n e s s
E x c h a n g e o n I n n o v a t i o n a n d E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p
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Country Name Title Email
Nicaragua
Mexico
Panama
The
Bahamas
Peru
Trinidad
& Tobago
United
States
Jalima Gmez
Jos Alonso
Huerta Cruz
Daniel Rocha
Elida Alcedo
Barry Malcolm
Enrique Javier
Aldave
Ramnarais
Rikhiraj
Permanand
Carlos Mariano
Marin
Mark Joseph
Kroll
Export Supply Manager,
PRONicaragua
Director General del Consejo de
Ciencia, Tecnologa e Innovacin
de Hidalgo (CITNOVA)
Science Specialist, U.S. Embassy
in Mexico City
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
General Coordinator of the
Competitiveness and Trade
Promotion Program
[email protected]

President of the Grand Bahama
Chamber of Commerce
[email protected]
Director General of Innovation,
Technology Transfer and SMEs
Services, Ministry of Production
[email protected]
[email protected]
Executive Director of the
Economic Development
Board/Council for Competitiveness
and Innovation, Ministry of Planning
and Sustainable Development
[email protected]
Chair, Tropical Texas Regional
Center for Innovation and
Commercialization
Dean of the School of Business
at the University
[email protected]
[email protected]
List of participants
F i n a l Re p o r t o f T h e A me r i c a s Co mp e t i t i v e n e s s
E x c h a n g e o n I n n o v a t i o n a n d E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p
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Name Title Site Email
Alexis Gordon
Chris Downing,
P.E.
Ben Haskew
Manager International
Affairs
Associate Vice President
Enterprise Innovation
Institute
CEO Of Greenville
City of Charlotte [email protected]
The Georgia Institute of
Technology
[email protected]
Greenville Chamber of
Commerce
bhaskew@greenvillechamber.
org
List of contacts in the visits
Dana Fenton Manager
Intergovernmental
City of Charlotte
[email protected]
Mayor Knox
White
Mayor Of Greenville
City of Greenville [email protected]
Michael D.
Barnes
Nancy
Whitworth
Mayor Pro Tem
Director Of Economic
Development For The
City Of Greenville
City of Charlotte [email protected]
City of Greenville [email protected]
Hank Hyatt Vice President Of
Economic Development
Greenville Chamber
of Commerce
[email protected]
Darlene Parker Greenville Chamber
Of Commerce
Chamber of Commerce
[email protected]
Steve Cross Executive Vice
President For Research
At Georgia Tech
The Georgia Institute of
Technology
[email protected]
Dr. Steve
Lommel
Interim President
North Carolina Research
Campus
[email protected]
Joyce Deal VP of Business
Development
North Carolina Research
Campus
[email protected]
Clyde Higgs Vice President
Business Development
North Carolina Research
Campus
[email protected]
F i n a l Re p o r t o f T h e A me r i c a s Co mp e t i t i v e n e s s
E x c h a n g e o n I n n o v a t i o n a n d E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p
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Name Title Site Email
Donald Duncan
Dr. Imtiaz
Haque
Jorge
Fernandez
Hala
Moddelmog
Fred Cartwright
City Manager - Conover
Executive Director
And Founding Chair
Vice President Of Global
Commerce Metro
Atlanta Chamber
President Of Metro
Atlanta Chamber Of
Commerce
Executive Director At
CU- International
Center For Automotive
Research
City of Conover
[email protected]
CU - ICAR
Metro Chamber of
Atlanta
[email protected]
[email protected]
Metro Chamber of
Atlanta
[email protected]
CU - ICAR
[email protected]
List of contacts in the visits
Mayor Lee E.
Moritz, Jr.
Kevin
Landmesser
Kyle Hayman
Mayor Of Conover
President & CEO
Mayor Pro Tem
Conover
City of Conover [email protected]
Greenville Area
Development
Corportation
[email protected]
City of Conover [email protected]
Councilman
Mark Canrobert
Councilman
Joie Fulbright
City of Conover
City of Conover
City of Conover
City of Conover
[email protected]
[email protected]
Richard
Anderson
CEO Metro Atlanta
Chamber Of Commerce
Metro Chamber of
Atlanta
[email protected]
Suzanne
Dickerson
Director Of International
Business Development
CU - ICAR [email protected]
F i n a l Re p o r t o f T h e A me r i c a s Co mp e t i t i v e n e s s
E x c h a n g e o n I n n o v a t i o n a n d E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p
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Dr. David
Young
Dr. Nikolaos
Rigas
Dr. Johan Enslin
Eileen Walker
Director Of Ideas
Center
Senior Scientist
And Executive Director
Director Of Epic
Chief Executive
Offcer Association Of
University Research
Parks
Ideas Center
Clemson University
[email protected]
[email protected]
EPIC
Association Of
University Research
Parks
[email protected]
[email protected]
Name Title Site Email
Karen Fite
Kevin Byrne
KP Reedy
Keith
Mcgreggor
Kevin Johnson
Lynn Mann
Kyle Hayman
Director At GAMEP
Vice President And
Chief Operating
Offcer
General Manager At
Advanced Technology
Development Center
Director At
Venturelab
Invest Atlanta
Director Of Programs
And Executive Director
Mayor Pro Tem
Conover
GAMEP [email protected]
The University Financing
Foundation
Advanced Technology
Development Center
[email protected]
[email protected]
Venturelab
[email protected]
Invest Atlanta
AJ Whittenberg
City of Conover
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
List of contacts in the visits
Anthony Starr
Deputy Director
WPCOG
Western Piedmont
Council of Governments
[email protected]
F i n a l Re p o r t o f T h e A me r i c a s Co mp e t i t i v e n e s s
E x c h a n g e o n I n n o v a t i o n a n d E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p
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Name Title Site Email
Patrick
Coughlin
Stephen
Fleming
Tiffany Wilson
Karp
Robert M. Hitt
The Honorable
Darrell Hinnant
President & CEO
Cabarrus Regional
Chamber of Commerce
and Cabarrus Economic
Development
VP Of Economic
Development And
Technology Ventures
Executive Director
Of Global Center For
Medical Innovation
Secretary Of Commerce
Mayor Of Kannapolis
Cabarrus Regional
Chamber of Commerce
and Cabarrus Economic
Development
Corporation
Advanced
Technology
Development Center
Executive Director
Of Global Center For
Medical Innovation
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
South Carolina
Department of Commerce
City of Kannapolis
[email protected]
[email protected]
List of contacts in the visits
Dan St. Louis Manufacturing
Solutions
Manufacturing Solutions
Center
[email protected]
Marla Gorges Associate Director
For Health Enterprise
Innovation Institute
Health Enterprise
Innovation Institute
[email protected]
Amy Love Director Innovation
State Of South
Carolina
South Carolina
Department of
Commerce
[email protected]
F i n a l Re p o r t o f T h e A me r i c a s Co mp e t i t i v e n e s s
E x c h a n g e o n I n n o v a t i o n a n d E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p
Testimonies
Name: Claudine Tracey
Title: General Manager of Strategic Services at the
Development Bank of Jamaica
This activity has been tremendously useful. It has shown
how each city, how each town has its own unique approach
to building its business people, using innovation, using
Name: Ana Laffte Licona
Title: Vice Principal - Unitec, Honduras.
The exchange has been widely useful, especially in
my industry -private higher education. In our UNITEC
campus in San Pedro Sula we are beginning to develop a
smart city concept, with technology and business parks
entrepreneurship to promote sustainable economic growth for each area. So it
has been extremely useful in terms of grabbing lessons that we can implement in
Jamaica.
I see possible links for collaboration with other countries. I see the potential for
collaboration for our small businesses and a widening of opportunities for
incubation and product testing. These opportunities can ultimately promote and
facilitate greater trade between participating countries. I also see collaboration at the
governmental level for further interaction and further sharing of knowledge and best
practices.
revolving around the university. Therefore, understanding the integration of
academia and industry through practical examples after our visits is very useful and
productive, providing new ideas and helping us assess our progress to get to the next
phase.
I see concrete opportunities for subsequent collaborative actions. For me, it was
especially useful to make connections with members from other universities in order
to promote our universitys international programs.
F i n a l Re p o r t o f T h e A me r i c a s Co mp e t i t i v e n e s s
E x c h a n g e o n I n n o v a t i o n a n d E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p
21
Testimonies
Name: Anne Reid
Title: CEO of the Barbados Private Sector Association
This Exchange has really not just fulflled, but has exceeded
my expectations. I understood it was an exchange on
entrepreneurship and innovation and that information will
be shared that you can pass on. However, what Im really so
excited about and what has really exceeded my expectations is the quality of the
presentations, the exposure to facilities such as I have not seen before and the
networking opportunities. This Exchange was organised and information presented
in a manner that made it easy to understand within a week how best to transfer the
knowledge to your own nation.
The presentations focused mainly on building economic development and job
creation through private-public partnerships. This information is very relevant to our
island Barbados at this particular point in time. We need a new vision for the future.
The knowledge gained and the exposure to the various facilities we visited makes it
easier to contribute to the crafting of that vision and it gave valuable insight into the
implementation process.
We saw that communities facing economic challenges didnt just get disheartened,
but they got together, they partnered, they collaborated, showing the power of
networking. The enthusiasm that these persons showed, and which communities
now have when they have seen the fnished project, was an encouragement. We also
saw that enthusiasm didnt come when success was attained but it was what actually
propelled them through the diffcult time. We were reminded that change is a diffcult
process but if you keep at it there will be the reward on the other side.
Having participated in the Exchange I am more motivated to encourage stakeholders
to collaborate more to drive entrepreneurship and innovation through public private
partnerships. This is important as the emphasis needs to be on team-work, as one
presenter said so eloquently We dont need to be that one person to take the credit.
We all can take the credit.
I must add that the value of team work was well demonstrated by the organizers of
this Competitiveness Exchange. Thank you so much for the opportunity to participate.
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Name: Guillermo Fernndez De la Garza
Title: Executive Director, Mexico-United States Foundation for
Science (FUMEC)
This exchange has been very useful. There was an excellent
selection of locations and the interviews with experts have
been very enriching, with great interest from the people who
manage the programs visited. This open and very positive attitude is appreciated, as
it will surely facilitate ongoing exchanges.
This Exchange has also been very helpful for Mexico. What I see here is precisely the
possibility to build on the communications and contacts that we have had, so that
we can begin to establish a set of arrangements for Mexican specialists come to see
the facilities and the programs that are here, certainly looking to establish programs
with future reach.
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Testimonies
Name: Dr. Rikhiraj Permanand
Title: Executive Director of the Economic Development Board
and Council for Competitiveness and Innovation from Trinidad
and Tobago
This Exchange has been very useful as we got an opportunity
to understand how large cities and rural areas have been able
to transform their economies and how we can use and develop innovation to create
sustainable economic development. The importance of STEM Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math - as part of the education curriculum from kindergarten to ter-
tiary education, the transfer of technology from universities to the private sector and
the importance of developing entrepreneurs through incubators and business accele-
rators have clearly been demonstrated as pathways for successful economic growth.
I leave the Exchange with a commitment to collaborate with my counterparts who
participated in this programme as well as those who were kind enough to give of their
time to showcase their initiatives in Atlanta and North and South Carolina. Specifcally,
I want to understand the ATDC Start Up Gauntlet boot camp for start-up entrepreneu-
rs for application in Trinidad & Tobago; to obtain the survey instrument developed for
the Manufacturing Extension Programme and apply to manufacturers in Trinidad &
Tobago and to review the Cabarrus PPP Economic Development model in the context
of the EDB in Trinidad & Tobago.
This exchange comes at a timely moment as Trinidad & Tobago prepares to host
the VIII Americas Competitiveness Forum, which will take place from October 8 to
10, 2014 in Port-of-Spain under the theme Human Imagination at Work Driving
Innovation and Competitiveness. What we have been show demonstrates that
the world is changing rapidly and to stay ahead we need to innovate through
collaboration between academia, private sector and public sector.
Name: Tamara Vasquez
Title: Coordinator of the areas of Innovation and Sustainable
Tourism, National Competitiveness Council of Dominican Republic
This Exchange, organized by the RIAC, has been an impactful
activity. Experiencing the dynamics and the relationships
between the public sector, private sector and academia is
certainly a great practice for us to take back to our country. The relationships and
contacts made with different actors are also fundamental, as they may become key
strategic partners in the short term to develop activities in the country through the
Council.
For the Dominican Republic, an important part of these visits is to experience and
learn about the efforts undertaken through incubators and business acceleration
initiatives, so that we may assess the types of efforts that we can adapt.
The Exchange and the opportunity to share with colleagues from other countries in
the region is undoubtedly a unique networking experience. 19 countries are here,
most of which share common interests and realities. Therefore, the value of the
exchange is unquestionable. With Mexico, for example, we had great exchanges and
there are also good practices in other countries that could certainly be developed.
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Testimonies
Name: Andrs Crdoba
Title: President of Ecuadors College of Textile Engineers
The exchange is very timely for Ecuador, as it develops a new
economic model based on productive relations, in which
entrepreneurs involvement is substantial as the basis for this
change.
Name: Jalima Gmez
Title: Manager of the National Exportable Supply of
ProNicaragua, Offcial Government Agency for Investment and
Export Promotion
This exchange has been very enriching. The visits to different
companies, institutions, universities and research centers
We consider this Exchange very useful and hope that with the help of the OAS and the
Department of Commerce of the United States we will have the opportunity to deve-
lop some actions. Specifcally, we would like to replicate the model followed by the
Manufacturing Solutions Center in the Textile and Apparel Production Development
Centre of Ecuador as they both share similar elements.
provided us with a lot of knowledge and interesting ideas that can be developed in
our own countries. Participating was worthwhile for Nicaragua and I see potential
for future collaboration.
There is much to follow-up on, such as the network of contacts and support
developed, both from the United States and other participating countries. Also, we
had the opportunity to meet and learn from different companies and agencies with
extensive expertise in their felds.
The experience has been very rewarding as it has given us knowledge that will
defnitely allow us to undertake better actions. Education is necessarily the
beginning of the process to develop a country, and through this exchange we have
been able to absorb knowledge and innovation elements to bring to our institutions.
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Testimonies
Name: Matt Erskine
Title: Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic
Development
This exchange has been tremendous in terms of sharing
best practices in innovation in economic development
with our western hemisphere partners. We were proud
to showcase the amazing work thats being done in the United States to spur
innovation and create the jobs of the future. I thank our partners in Atlanta,
Greenville, Conover, Charlotte, and Kannapolis for inviting us to see their projects frst-
hand and for demonstrating how important wide, regional collaboration was to ensu-
ring success.
We hope this is the beginning of continued viable conversations and partnerships
moving forward.
Name: Thomas Guevara
Title: Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Affairs, U.S.
Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration
I think this has been a fabulous exchange.
The exchange far exceeded our expectations as a vehicle for
increasing the dialogue between the United States and Latin
American and Caribbean countries and members of the OAS and to further hands-on
opportunities for mutual investment and trade. Critically, based on the feedback that I
received from the participants, the exchange went way beyond our expectations in
terms of generating excitement, opportunities and dialogue. I consider this is just the
beginning as opposed to the end of our engagement.
When we exchange best practices, when we exchange ideas, when we
exchange contexts and develop relationships between various countries, parties, and
organizations, it promotes greater opportunity for future investment that will beneft
the entire hemisphere. That was our goal.
We will continue to share best practices and continue to develop relationships where
individuals and the countries and the organizations they represent will have further
opportunities to engage and, perhaps, develop mutually benefcial projects going
forward. We look forward to staying in touch and continuing this critical dialogue.
F i n a l Re p o r t o f T h e A me r i c a s Co mp e t i t i v e n e s s
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Survey Results
The following information contains an overall evaluation and suggestions provided by the
participants of the First Americas Competitiveness Exchange on Innovation and Entrepreneurship
resulted from a survey that was distributed at the end of the activity.
Summary of results:
- Around 95% of the participants expressed that the Exchange fulflled their expectations and
around 80% thought that the activity exceeded their expectations.
- Around 90% of participants considered that the multinational character of the program
was favorable to promote collaborations, showed their satisfaction for the useful mix of the
participants and expressed that the quality of the presentations and the balance-diversity of
cities and programs presented were excellent.
- Around 95% of the participants would consider participating in a similar program in the
future in the United States or in another country such as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Co-
lombia, Dominican zzRepublic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Uruguay. It was also expressed the
interest of visiting Asia (Korea).
- The most commonly selected topics for the next tour in the US were Agro-Industry,
Manufacturing, IT, electronics, Innovation Services, etc.
- The programs and experiences that were listed as the most helpful to learn about were
Georgia Tech, Venture Lab, Clemson University (CU-ICAR), Conovers Manufacturing Solutions
Center (MSC), NC Research Campus.
Collaboration opportunities that participants were able to develop through the
Exchange:
- First hand collaboration between the three sectors, academia-public-private sectors with many
meetings in which they could get to know the players in other countries.
- Promotion of alliance with research institutions including alliances with some of the institution
participants with obtaining the information to be included at the public proposals.
- Interchange of contacts with other countries, US agencies, universities and institutions
Recommendations for the organizers:
- Give more time to participants to get to know better each other, introduce themselves and
exchange ideas.
- Schedule more break times between visits and presentations. An option is to make the
program longer or shorter.
- Organize workshops related to the development models.
-Give priority to the follow-up process and accompany the processes. Participants were
willing to explore the possibility of deepening the exchange of knowledge with most of the
experts, promote technical visits and exchanges, training programs, adapting the models, etc.
- Build a website with all the documents, power point presentations and photos.
-Facilitate more opportunities for the exchange of experiences in various
topics such as industrial policy, SME projects, programs in Science and Technology.

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Photos
www.fickr.com/photos/89835551@N02/sets/72157644625497016/
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The Exchange @ Twitter
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Press Releases
Los cuatro ingredientes para la innovacin
EL FINANCIERO April 24, 2014
www.elfnanciero.com.mx/opinion/los-cuatro-ingredientes-para-la-innovacion.html
First Americas Competitiveness Exchange Encourages Collaboration, Drives Innovation
and Entrepreneurship in the Western Hemisphere
Commerce.gov April 11, 2014
www.commerce.gov/blog/2014/04/11/frst-americas-competitiveness-exchange-encourages-collaboration-dri-
ves-innovation-a
AGEXPORT presente en intercambio de buenas prcticas de innovacin
y emprendimiento
AGEXPORT HOY - April 4, 2014
http://agexporthoy.export.com.gt/2014/04/agexport-presente-en-intercambio-de-buenas-practicas-de-innova-
cion-y-emprendimiento/
State Minister Robinson Attends Innovation and Entrepreneurship ... (Intl)
Jamaica Information Service - April 4, 2014
http://jis.gov.jm/state-minister-robinson-attends-innovation-entrepreneurship-retreat-u-s/
Research Campus attracts international business, political leaders (NC)
The Independent Tribune - April 4, 2014
http://www.independenttribune.com/news/article_0c9e9e5c-bbf0-11e3-b08e-001a4bcf6878.html
Concluy Primer Intercambio para la Competitividad en las Amricas, coorganizado
por la OEA
OEA - April 4, 2014
http://www.oas.org/es/centro_noticias/fotonoticia.asp?sCodigo=FNC-14335
First Americas Competitiveness Exchange Concludes, Co-Organized by the OAS
OAS - April 4, 2014
http://www.oas.org/en/media_center/photonews.asp?sCodigo=FNE-14337
International tour visits Conovers Manufacturing Solutions Center
Hickory Daily Record - April 3, 2014
http://www.hickoryrecord.com/news/article_860dee14-bb7d-11e3-8af0-0017a43b2370.html
Latin American business leaders tour ICAR
Greenville Online - April 3, 2014
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/2014/04/03/latin-american-business-lea-
ders-tour-icar/7240269/
Upstate hosts international group
GSA Business - April 3, 2014
http://www.gsabusiness.com/news/50987-upstate-hosts-international-group
F i n a l Re p o r t o f T h e A me r i c a s Co mp e t i t i v e n e s s
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Press Releases
Arranc en la OEA el Primer Intercambio para la Competitividad en las Amricas
Antilavadodedinero.com - April 2, 2014
http://www.antilavadodedinero.com/news_det.php?id=9745
Delegados de 20 pases participan en el Primer Intercambio para la Competitividad
en las Amricas, coorganizado por la OEA
ArgentinaON.com - April 2, 2014
http://www.argentinaon.com/noticias/politica/11728-delegados-de-20-paises-participan-en-el-primer-inter-
cambio-para-la-competitividad-en-las-americas-coorganizado-por-la-oea.html
Trade, entrepreneurship exchange launched in Georgia
Online Athens- April 1, 2014
http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2014-04-01/trade-entrepreneurship-exchange-launched-georgia
Georgia News Roundup
Marietta Daily Journal - April 1, 2014
http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story/24853819/article-Georgia-News-Roundup?instance=home_state_bullets
Delegates from 20 Countries Participate in the First Americas Competitiveness
Exchange on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, co-organized by the OAS
OAS - April 1, 2014
http://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_release.asp?sCodigo=E-124/14
Delegados de 20 pases participan en el Primer Intercambio para la Competitividad
en las Amricas, coorganizado por la OEA
OEA - April 1, 2014
http://www.oas.org/es/centro_noticias/comunicado_prensa.asp?sCodigo=C-124/14
OAS and the Inter-American Competitiveness Network Organize Visit to Innovation
Centers in Cities in Southern United States
OAS - March 28, 2014
www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_release.asp?sCodigo=AVI-049/14
La OEA y la Red Interamericana de competitividad organizan una visita a centros
de innovacin en ciudades del sur de Estados Unidos
OEA - March 28, 2014
www.oas.org/es/centro_noticias/comunicado_prensa.asp?sCodigo=AVI-046/14
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More Information and Support
For more information and to pursue cooperation
opportunities please contact

LeAnn Clark at [email protected]

Barrett Haga at [email protected]

Carla Menendez McManus at [email protected]

Csar Parga at [email protected]

Adriana Bonilla at [email protected]
Financial support for this activity is provided by the
Government of the United States and the Government
of Canada through its Department of Foreign Affairs,
Trade and Development (DFATD).