By Brent Jonas

What if you found out you have a sister halfway around the world – one that you’ve never met, but had so much in common with?

Recently a delegation from City of Gothenburg made such a connection by visiting us here in Charleston | South Carolina. The delegation included Lord Mayor Lena Malm and her colleagues from the International Relations office, Business Region Göteborg (a counterpart of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance), and Innovation Office. This was a unique opportunity for the Charleston region to host and introduce the delegation to our community. And we learned that while Volvo is the thread that connects us, our regions have a lot in common.

Representatives from several groups, including the CRDA, Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau, SC Ports Authority, and the SC Department of Commerce welcomed the group and shared more about what makes our region so special. They also had a tour of Charleston’s historic City Hall and an informative meeting with Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg. These meetings helped our guests better understand the economy, culture, and people of Charleston. The group also met with Katarina Fjording, Plant Manager, and Katherine Yehl, Government Relations, with the Volvo North America team to learn about the company’s plans here in the Charleston region.

Governor Nikki Haley hosted the delegation at the State House in Columbia to show her commitment to building collaboration with the City of Gothenburg. She stressed the importance of building our relationship, because when a company is succeeding it’s an indication they have the support of a successful community of people behind them.

The delegation also received a warm welcome by The Nordic Club of South Carolina, who greeted them with Swedish traditions with a South Carolina twist. Sweet tea vodka, anyone?

Throughout the visit and the discussions, it was incredible to see the similarities between our two metros in both the current challenges we face, and the endless opportunities on the horizon. We both saw this exchange as mutually beneficial and are looking forward to building our relationship, understanding, and collaborating. As Volvo grows in the Lowcountry, so will our relationship with our new friends from Gothenburg.

Lord Mayor Lena Malm said it best at the trips conclusion: “Home is where the heart is, and I have that feeling of ‘home’ right here in Charleston | South Carolina.”

Contact Us:

Brent Jonas | Director, Stakeholder Relations
843.760.4523 | [email protected]