12 Days to Go Until WKBC… Historic Preparations Underway

The 23rd World Korean Business Convention (WKBC), a global business festival bringing together Korean entrepreneurs from around the world, is now just 12 days away.

The event will be held from April 17 to 20 at the Gas South Convention Center in Duluth, Georgia, and is expected to serve as a symbolic moment, highlighting Atlanta’s emergence as a major global hub for the Korean business economy.

Co-hosted by the Federation of Korean American Chambers of Commerce (FKACC, Chairman Kyung Chul Lee) and the Overseas Koreans Agency (Commissioner Ki Chul Lee), this event is attracting attention as a key platform for fostering collaboration among Korean entrepreneurs and supporting the global expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Korea.

Unlike a typical business convention, WKBC will be celebrated as a community-wide festival, involving the entire local community in its preparation and execution.

The Korean Festival Foundation (Chairperson Soon Hae Ahn) is leading the on-site operations of the convention, with Head of Operations Shin Bum Kang coordinating volunteer registration, business exhibitions, interpretation, and local guide services. Drawing on their experience from running the Korean Festival, the foundation is expected to play a crucial role in the convention’s success.

Kang stated, “We’re doing our best to help Atlanta become a hub for global Korean business. We’re putting every effort into ensuring the event ends successfully.”

Over 1,000 Korean business leaders from 30 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and South America will attend. The event will showcase over 400 Korean SME products, including items in the K-beauty, K-food, and consumer goods sectors.

Walmart, Costco, and other major U.S. retailers are expected to participate in business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking sessions. Government-to-government (G2G) export cooperation discussions are also anticipated, which could yield significant economic outcomes.

Korean wave star Jung Joon-ho has been appointed the official ambassador for the event. Known for his roles in TV dramas such as Iris and Sky Castle, and the film My Boss, My Hero, Jung has also served as a goodwill ambassador for the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise’s “Yellow Umbrella” mutual aid program, showing continued interest in small businesses and entrepreneurs.

He said, “I will do my best as an ambassador to create more opportunities for Korean entrepreneurs and SMEs.”

Notably, high-profile U.S. officials such as Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, and former SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler are expected to attend, along with senior state-level government officials from 10 states.

Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs, said, “The 23rd WKBC is being meticulously prepared to provide real support for Korean SMEs entering the U.S. market and expanding exports. We hope Atlanta will rise as a global business hub, and we ask for your continued interest and participation.”

Reported by Su-Young Yoon, Chief Editor

Su-Young Yoon, Chief Editor

Original Article:

[WKBC-D12] Atlanta Emerges as a Global Hub for Korean Business – Newswave25 | Newswave25 Newspaper