Interior view of ‘AmericasMart,’ a wholesale trade show venue in downtown Atlanta [Provided by AmericasMart]

KRW 697 Million Project to Establish Permanent Showroom for 20 Korean SMEs at AmericasMart

The Atlanta Global Base Camp, designed to support Korean small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) entering the U.S. market, is scheduled to officially open in late August or early September.

On June 19, the Federation of Korean American Chambers of Commerce USA (KACCUSA), led by President Byung Gu Hwang, announced that it has been selected as the official operator of the Atlanta Global Base Camp project initiated by South Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) and the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME).

KACCUSA plans to establish a permanent showroom of approximately 3,000 square feet at AmericasMart in downtown Atlanta, where 20 Korean SMEs will be given exhibition space.

The Global Base Camp is a newly introduced private-sector-led overseas export support initiative for SMEs. The program is established in regions that do not currently have a Global Business Center (GBC), a government-operated export support platform. By leveraging local private-sector networks and infrastructure, the program aims to help Korean SMEs enter overseas markets and successfully establish their operations abroad.

The Atlanta Global Base Camp project has been allocated a budget of KRW 697 million. MSS selected Atlanta as the first Global Base Camp location due to the city’s strong presence of Korean businesses and its extensive Korean-American business network.

As the project operator, KACCUSA will provide a wide range of services for participating companies, including operation of the permanent showroom, buyer matching, marketing support, legal consultation, business consulting, and mentoring programs.

KACCUSA has appointed its spokesperson, John Park, as the Managing Director of the Atlanta Global Base Camp. Three full-time staff members, including the director, will be stationed at the facility to support participating companies and facilitate connections with local buyers and related organizations.

The selection process for participating companies is currently in its final review stage. Twenty Korean SMEs will be selected, with a focus on companies in the K-beauty, lifestyle, and consumer goods sectors.

AmericasMart, where the showroom will be located, is one of the premier wholesale and exhibition venues in downtown Atlanta. It serves as a major marketplace for buyers in furniture, home décor, gift products, fashion, and lifestyle industries throughout the southeastern United States.

KACCUSA plans to utilize this space to maintain year-round displays of Korean products and facilitate business meetings with local buyers.

The Global Base Camp will serve as more than just an exhibition venue. Participating companies will receive support in market validation, buyer development, contract review, legal and marketing consultation, and local business network mentoring.

Through these services, KACCUSA aims to help Korean SMEs establish a stable and sustainable presence in the U.S. market rather than relying solely on short-term trade show participation.

President Byung Gu Hwang stated, “The Global Base Camp is a practical export platform that helps Korean SMEs meet real buyers and turn those connections into business contracts. We will work to make Atlanta a key hub for both the Korean-American business network and Korean companies expanding into the United States.”

An official opening ceremony for the Atlanta Global Base Camp is expected to take place in late August or early September. Following the launch, KACCUSA plans to actively operate product promotion programs, buyer consultation services, local marketing initiatives, and exhibition-related programs for participating companies.

The project is expected to transform the way Korean SMEs enter the U.S. market. In the past, many companies participated in short-term trade shows but lacked sufficient follow-up support afterward. The Global Base Camp will provide continuous buyer management and market-entry assistance through a permanent facility and dedicated local staff.

Atlanta is particularly well-positioned for this initiative due to its strong Korean-American business network and the growing presence of Korean companies throughout Georgia. With major investments such as Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America and the expansion of battery, automotive parts, logistics, and consumer goods industries, Atlanta’s importance as an export gateway for Korean SMEs continues to grow.

John Park, Managing Director of the Atlanta Global Base Camp, said, “We will operate the Atlanta Global Base Camp as a model program and ensure that it serves as a strategic outpost for Korean SMEs entering the U.S. market.”

Reporter: Sang Yeon Lee
Email: paul@atlantak.com