Lehigh Valley business leaders met with trade representatives from 13 countries to discuss opportunities for global growth during a daylong event that also showcased the region’s potential for international businesses to invest here.

The trade and investment representatives, from Europe, Southeast Asia, and elsewhere, visited the Lehigh Valley on Sept. 19 as part of “Bringing the World to Pennsylvania,” organized by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The event was hosted locally by the Small Business Development Center at Lehigh University and Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC).

“Bringing the World to PA provides Lehigh Valley companies with a chance to consult with experts about the potential to expand into new international markets. It also provides the state’s global representatives with insight into what makes the Lehigh Valley such an attractive location for international business, so they can share that message as they are recruiting companies to come to Pennsylvania,” said Kristin Cahayla-Hoffman, Vice President of Business Development and Attraction at LVEDC.

The event included a breakfast at Historic Hotel Bethlehem, followed by meetings between companies and the trade representatives.

The investment representatives and state economic development officials toured C.F. Martin & Co., Inc., in Nazareth, which produces the iconic Martin Guitars, and visited the Fab Lab at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, a maker space for entrepreneurs and innovators. They closed out their time in the Lehigh Valley by touring the Moravian Church Settlements historic site in Bethlehem, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site last year.

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration has prioritized the recruitment of global business and industry as part of the state’s economic development strategy. The BusinessPA program grew out of that plan.

“BusinessPA’s international investment team provides the support and technical assistance that companies need to establish and grow in Pennsylvania, while the trade development team helps hundreds of Commonwealth companies each year connect with buyers around the world who need their products,” said Rick Siger, Pennsylvania Secretary of Community and Economic Development. “The Shapiro Administration is helping our businesses compete and the Bringing the World to Pennsylvania statewide event is one more way we’re providing the resources they need to grow and thrive.”

The Lehigh Valley has more than 100 international companies, including the U.S. headquarters of Olympus Corporation of the Americas (Japan) and B. Braun Medical (Germany), which announced a $20 million expansion on Sept. 18. It is home to operations of global leaders like Mack Trucks (Sweden), Evonik (Germany), and Air Liquide (France).

Turkish candy maker Kervan USA recently broke ground on a $20 million facility for manufacturing and packaging. Bronkhorst High-Tech, a Dutch company that established its U.S. headquarters in the Lehigh Valley 18 years ago, recently relocated to a larger facility.

Bringing the World to Pennsylvania brought together authorized trade and investment representatives, who work for the BusinessPA program, part of the Department of Community and Economic Development. The event included representatives from Australia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Germany, India, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom/Ireland.

Over the past year, BusinessPA’s International Trade & Investment team has helped 722 Pennsylvania companies export more than $534.3 million and 22 international companies locating to the Commonwealth invest more than $93 million ― supporting thousands of jobs. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, companies who received assistance from BusinessPA reported $534.3 million in export sales.

Bringing the World to Pennsylvania is coordinated by BusinessPA in partnership with its Regional Export Network and local economic development organizations. Events were held statewide Sept. 8-19.