Wake County Economic Development at the SelectUSA 2024 Investment Summit

The SelectUSA Investment Summit, held from June 23 - 26, 2024, at the National Harbor in Washington DC, serves as the premier platform for international business investment in the United States. This year’s summit continued the 10-year tradition of connecting international investors, companies, and economic development organizations to create and explore investment opportunities across the nation. Sam Rauf, Senior Economic Development Manager, attended with Tiffany McNeill, Town of Fuquay-Varina Economic Development Director, Matt Gladdek, Vice President for Economic Development at the Durham Chamber of Commerce, and many other local and state partners from North Carolina.

Meetings with Prospective Companies: Throughout the summit, there were multiple meetings with prospective companies and international trade organizations from across the world looking to learn more about North Carolina and the Research Triangle Region. These interactions provided a platform for detailed discussions on investment projects, helping to forge new partnerships and facilitate business expansions into our region. The high level of foot traffic at the North Carolina booth was a testament to the attractiveness and global reputation of the state as a prime investment destination.

North Carolina Reception: The state and local reception evening allowed North Carolina the opportunity to further engage a targeted audience. The reception facilitated meaningful interactions between statewide representatives and potential businesses and investors, highlighting the unique advantages and opportunities available in North Carolina. Hosted on the pavilion overlooking the beautiful National Harbor, our state partners did a wonderful job putting together the evening.

DACH Region Lunch with European Representatives: One of the notable highlights was the DACH region lunch Sam and Matt attended that was cosponsored by the Research Triangle Regional Partnership. This lunch brought together representatives from Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, fostering discussions on potential collaborations and investment opportunities in the Research Triangle Region. Sam was able to speak in front of the group to tell the story of the Research Triangle and what makes our region globally competitive today.

High Interest in North Carolina: The summit reinforced the global interest in North Carolina that has made it the best state for business for two years running. Investors and businesses were particularly drawn to the state's robust economic growth, tax climate, strategic location, innovation ecosystem, skilled workforce, and universities. At the national level, it was clear the United States is still held in high regard from the international attendees as the best place on the planet to business. Despite less federal money being available compared to previous years and it being an election year, the energy and enthusiasm for international companies looking to expand into the U.S. was as high as ever.

Conclusion: The 2024 SelectUSA Investment Summit was another successful event, marked by significant interest in North Carolina and fruitful engagements with international representatives and companies. The event not only showcased the investment potential of the Research Triangle Region, but also reinforced our position as a leading hub for innovation and economic growth in the United States. We are excited to work with our new connections and look forward to heading back to DC in 2025!