A high-level delegation from the Liguria Region of Italy is in Georgia this week for an ambitious economic, institutional and innovation mission designed to establish new long-term connections between one of Italy’s most strategically important regions and one of the United States’ fastest-growing international business hubs.
Taking place September 22–25 in Atlanta and Savannah, the Liguria Region Mission to Georgia represents a significant moment in Georgia–Italy relations. To the organizers’ knowledge, this is the first of this kind ever occurred in our State with an Italian Government Region.
The 2026 mission is focused squarely on the future: economic development, bilateral investment, innovation, research, technology, ports and logistics, startups, and the creation of sustainable business relationships between Liguria and Georgia.
Liguria (the land of the world renown tourist destinations like Genoa and the 5 Terre) is one of Italy’s most strategically positioned and innovation-driven regions, with internationally recognized expertise in port infrastructure and maritime systems, logistics and supply-chain technologies, advanced engineering, life sciences, artificial intelligence, supercomputing, Blue Economy technologies, food, hospitality and tourism.
The quality of the organizations and business leaders we are meeting confirms that there is significant potential to transform this first dialogue into a structured and long-term collaboration. Our objective is to return to Liguria with relationships that can become projects, investments and opportunities for both regions. – Massimiliano Nannini – Liguria Region Chief of Staff and delegation director
“It has been a privilege to welcome the Liguria Region delegation to Georgia alongside Deputy Consul General Giacomo Montrasio of the Consulate General of Italy in Miami. The constructive dialogue throughout this mission have confirmed that Liguria and Georgia are natural partners. With complementary strengths, both regions are well positioned to develop long-term relationships that foster investment and innovation.
We look forward to transforming the connections established this week into lasting collaborations that strengthen ties between our regions.” Filiberto Calascibetta, Honorary Consul of Italy in Atlanta and Partner, Rödl USA.
FROM THE PORT OF SAVANNAH TO THE PORTS OF LIGURIA
The mission began its substantive program on Wednesday, September 23, in Savannah, where the delegation met with the Georgia Ports Authority for presentations, discussions and a tour of the Garden City Terminal.
The Ligurian delegation is led by the Region’s Chief of Staff (Admiral Massimiliano Nannini) and includes representatives of Federlogistica and the Ligurian Sea Port Authority, creating a direct dialogue between two major international maritime and logistics ecosystems.
The Savannah program continued at the World Trade Center Savannah, where discussions centered on international trade development, economic cooperation, import/export opportunities and potential connections between Georgia and Ligurian companies.
BUILDING A GEORGIA–LIGURIA ECONOMIC CORRIDOR
On Thursday, September 24, the mission moved into a full day of institutional, economic and innovation meetings across Metro Atlanta.
At the Metro Atlanta Chamber, representatives of the Liguria Region are meeting with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber and other institutional stakeholders to explore bilateral trade and investment, priority industries, participation in major economic initiatives and the continued deepening of the bilateral regional partnership.
The conversation brings together two regions with significant complementary strengths, particularly in logistics, advanced manufacturing, automation, technology, transportation, international trade and innovation.
The delegation is also visiting Tech Square, including the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), to experience Atlanta’s technology and startup ecosystem and explore opportunities for future collaboration with Ligurian innovators and companies.
Georgia and Liguria have clear complementary strengths, including our strategic ports and logistics networks, as well as our shared strengths in industries such as advanced manufacturing,technology, life sciences and innovation. Missions like this allow us to move beyond introductions and identify tangible opportunities for businesses and institutions on both sides of the Atlantic.” Hillary Maddox — Director of International Strategy and Operations, Georgia Department of Economic Development.
GWINNETT COUNTY: TECHNOLOGY, ADVANCED INDUSTRIES AND INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT
The delegation’s program continues at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, where Ligurian representatives are meeting with the Chamber, Partnership Gwinnett, international businesses and economic-development stakeholders.
The program highlights several of Gwinnett’s major innovation assets, including The Water Tower, Rowen, Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners, Atlanta Tech Park, and the North American headquarters and technology center of SCM Group, an Italian-based global company with a significant presence in the county.
The Liguria–Gwinnett economic discussion focuses on ports and global supply chains, technology, advanced manufacturing, water technologies, life sciences, startups and scale-ups, tourism, international investment and opportunities for Georgia companies interested in accessing Italian and European markets.
The strongest international partnerships are built when businesses, institutions and people have the opportunity to sit at the same table and identify what they can accomplish together. We see this visit as the beginning of that process with Liguria, and we look forward to exploring how today’s conversations can develop into lasting business relationships.” Nick Masino CEO Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce
CONNECTING LIGURIAN INNOVATION WITH ATLANTA’S UNIVERSITIES
A major component of the mission is the creation of a bridge between Liguria’s innovation ecosystem and Atlanta’s academic and entrepreneurial community.
At Emory University’s The Hatchery, the delegation is participating in discussions involving entrepreneurship, health technology, artificial intelligence, research and technology transfer.
Representatives from Liguria, the University of Genoa and Emory are also examining the development of a potential 2027 startup collaboration program, creating opportunities for Italian startups and scale-ups to connect with Atlanta universities, students, researchers, accelerators and the U.S. investment ecosystem.
The initiative is intended to move beyond a traditional trade mission by establishing an ongoing pipeline through which innovative Italian companies can explore the United States while American institutions, investors and businesses gain direct access to emerging technologies and entrepreneurial talent from Liguria.
BUSINESS, INDUSTRY AND THE FUTURE OF LOGISTICS
The mission culminates Friday, September 25, with a Business, Industry & Innovation Day hosted at Miller & Martin in Midtown Atlanta.
A centerpiece of the program is the executive panel “The Future of Logistics: AI, Automation, and New Supply Chains,” moderated by Trevor Williams, Managing Editor of Global Atlanta.
Participants include executives and representatives from Delta Air Lines, Logistics Reply, JAS Worldwide, the Ligurian Sea Port Authority, Federlogistica, Genoa Airport and Miller & Martin.
The mission concludes with a dedicated Plan 2027 session focused on translating the relationships developed during the week into concrete next steps, follow-up initiatives and future collaborations.
A MISSION DESIGNED TO PRODUCE LONG-TERM RESULTS
The initiative also reinforces the broader mission of Made in Italy Expo 2026, positioning Atlanta as an increasingly important Southeast U.S. gateway for Italian companies, institutions, technologies and products seeking to enter or expand in the American market.
For Ligurian companies, Georgia provides access to one of the most dynamic business environments in the United States and a strategic platform for expansion throughout the Southeast. For Georgia companies and institutions, Liguria represents a gateway to Italy and Europe and a highly developed ecosystem in maritime technologies, logistics, advanced engineering, life sciences, research, tourism and the Blue Economy.
The September mission therefore represents not an endpoint, but the beginning of a longer-term Georgia–Liguria collaboration.
