Contributors
Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has once again hosted a pre-trade mission event (4 March) in its Newcastle office in support of the Atlanta Trade Mission (18-21 March) which will see a number of businesses taking the opportunity to engage with exporting to America.
The trade mission to Atlanta has been organised by the Northern Powerhouse and the Department for International Trade (DIT) and is being supported by the North East England Chamber of Commerce (NEECC).
The event was hosted by Peter Snaith (Head of Manufacturing) and Robert Phillips (Partner in Corporate Finance), both of whom have been involved in the DIT's previous delegation visits to the US. Julian Hamblin (Head of Technology) and Paul Stewart (Partner in Commercial Disputes and Regulatory) will make up part of the delegation.
The delegates were provided with guidance on Atlanta and US politics as well as briefings on the state as a marketplace and emerging markets. Delegates heard from Joel Pieper (Head of WBD's Atlanta office) who gave an insight into the commercial and legal environment that delegates can experience in the US and specifically in Atlanta. The Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta DIT were also in attendance.
Robert Phillips, commented:
"We are delighted to be working together with our colleagues in our Atlanta office to support the mission's objectives of facilitating collaboration and delivering investment and innovations that will have a greater impact on our local economy. The opportunities presented by the US for businesses from the Newcastle and across the North of England are vast. Building on the success and links created in supporting the Automotive Sector visit, championed by the DIT in October last year and the subsequent bio-tech focused Trade Mission to Boston, lawyers and team members from WBD will once again support the trade mission."
Peter Snaith also commented:
"With input from our US colleagues we are developing a menu of services we can offer to UK businesses on a fixed fee basis wherever possible to help them obtain the support they need. Our colleagues based in Atlanta Station, Midtown will host the trade mission in their offices where delegates will see presentations on key issues and also have the chance to meet with potential trade and business partners. We are excited by the opportunities that exist through the close working relationship we now have with our US team for us to connect businesses in the North East of England with opportunities and local advice across the Atlantic."
