Business delegations from nine countries visited Johns Creek over the past year, and Tanzania's ambassador flew in from Washington, D.C. to announce plans for a reciprocal trade mission. That was the headline from the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce's 20th anniversary State of the Chamber luncheon on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at YiFan Restaurant & Event Center.

H.E. Dr. Elsie Sia Kanza, ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania, described Johns Creek's growing international ties as "people-to-people diplomacy and commercial diplomacy," according to Johns Creek Magazine. She pointed to existing relationships with Boston Scientific, Emory University and local nonprofit and faith-based groups that have supported projects in Tanzania, and said her country is working to position itself as a regional hub for energy, health care, transportation, logistics and critical minerals.

Kanza is now planning a reciprocal trade and business delegation from Johns Creek to Tanzania, according to the Chamber's announcement. No date has been set.

Incoming board chair David Dabo named Tanzania, Ukraine, Canada and Ireland among the countries whose delegations visited. The Chamber's International Business Development Council, which operates in collaboration with the city's economic development office, has also hosted groups from the Czech Republic, Serbia, Burkina Faso and Slovakia over the past year, as well as a delegation of Quebec manufacturing companies.

On July 7, the Chamber hosted a U.S. State Department International Visitor Leadership Program delegation of senior AI policymakers from Egypt, the Philippines, Trinidad & Tobago and Uruguay. On June 10, a Ukrainian delegation that included Ecofactor, an electric vehicle charging company considering Johns Creek for a factory that would employ about 300 workers, toured the community. And on Jan. 28, seven Quebec technology companies specializing in manufacturing automation visited, with private tours of Alcon's contact lens facility and Boston Scientific's medical device plant.

"This community decided what it wanted to be, and then went and became it," Chamber President and CEO Shay Foley said at the Aug. 5 event. "Nobody was required to join us. 176 businesses chose to, in a single year."

The Chamber grew net membership 46.2% and revenue 41.2% in the past fiscal year, reaching a five-year strategic-plan revenue target of roughly $508,000 four years ahead of schedule. The board now stands at its full authorized strength of 60 directors, with 17 newly elected.

Dabo, who succeeded outgoing chair Greg Powell at the luncheon, said on July 7 when the Chamber hosted the State Department AI delegation that the visits show "what this community represents on a global stage." At the Aug. 5 event, he pledged to keep building those connections.

The sold-out luncheon drew Mayor John Bradberry, Fulton County Commissioner Bridget Thorne, state Sen. Shawn Still, state Rep. Michelle Au and Honorary Consul of Finland Kari K. Lindberg, among others. Northside Hospital, one of the Chamber's original members, served as title sponsor.

As we reported Aug. 8, the same event featured the Chamber's inaugural Confluence Business Awards honoring 13 local businesses.

The next milestone: the planned Johns Creek-to-Tanzania trade delegation, with details still to come.