Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed enjoys ‘very warm welcome' during China trade mission

A 45-person delegation from Atlanta is roughly midway through a nine-day trade mission to China. They say their pitch -- that Chinese businesses should set down roots in Atlanta, and that homegrown Atlanta businesses have much to offer in the world's second-largest economy -- has been well-received so far.

The businesspeople, educators, government officials and economic development experts have sampled Chinese cuisine -- snails, puff pastries, soup with tripe, briny duck, jellyfish squares and duck tongue. They also have experienced culturally attuned hospitality; their hosts have set out mashed potatoes in a nod to American cooking.

"We've received a very warm welcome in China," Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed tweeted Tuesday.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution corresponded with several participants this week. These are edited excerpts from their emailed comments.

Brian McGowan, president of Invest Atlanta, the city's economic development agency:

"The meetings with the mayor and vice mayor [of Nanjing] went extremely well. They are going to direct businesses in this major city to look to Atlanta as business investment decisions are made. The mayor is very well-informed about Atlanta and its history and would like us to make sure that our companies know that they have friends in Nanjing. I was in several meetings where I made my counterparts as well as private businesses aware that Atlanta has several ‘catalytic' projects either under way or will be soon under way including Fort McPherson, the Beltline, the [proposed multimodal passenger terminal in downtown Atlanta] and development around our airport. Also discussed the T-SPLOST [transportation referendum] and how we could share best practices around infrastructure development, as they are doing huge projects all over this country."

Sonji Jacobs, spokeswoman for Kasim Reed:

"The trip, so far, has been very successful [and] productive. We've had no travel issues -- no lost luggage or lost delegates or anything like that. The meetings have all been great as well. The critical relationship-building is happening. We are definitely raising awareness about the Atlanta brand and have even gotten tips from our Chinese hosts. One good one: Talk about Atlanta as the home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He is universal -- everyone knows about him and will connect to Atlanta in a positive way."

Becky Ward, senior vice president of practice at tvsdesign, a global design firm specializing in planning, architecture and interior design, with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dubai and Shanghai:

"I'm fortunate to not have jet lag this week. I arrived on March 19 and traveled to Shanghai and Chengdu prior to meeting the Atlanta delegates in Nanjing. This is my first trip to China, and the excitement of new experiences every day has kept me going so I haven't felt the jet lag. I may pay for this when I return to Atlanta! It is early in the trip; however, I had the opportunity to spend valuable time with our Nanjing Convention Center client yesterday and was able to see the completed project for the first time. The development was impressive, and the client is very pleased with our design and function of the complex. We see a lot of future opportunities for high-end design in China."

Jorge L. Fernandez, vice president of global commerce at the Metro Atlanta Chamber:

"The trip is going well -- hard to believe we are almost at midpoint. The pace is quite hectic, which is a great antidote to jet lag. The food has been great, and all have enjoyed the cultural experience Chinese meals are. In fact, we learned that a common way to say hello in a nonformal way is ‘have you eaten yet?' That says a lot about the role eating plays in this culture. On the [foreign direct investment] front, there is great interest in the U.S. market as Chinese companies seek to expand globally. We have met with individual prospects as well as conducted seminars on ‘why Atlanta for your business.' Our seminars have been very well-attended."