Clemson hosts foreign ambassadors on ‘Experience America’ tour in Charleston

CHARLESTON — More than 30 foreign ambassadors representing countries across four continents joined Ambassador Sean P. Lawler, chief of protocol of the United States, on a visit to Clemson University’s innovation campus in Charleston.

Led by Randy Collins, Clemson’s associate vice president in Charleston, the State Department-hosted event included a tour of the Clemson University Restoration Institute (CURI) and the Clemson University SCE&G Energy Innovation Center, giving the ambassadors a peek at the groundbreaking work being done in the Lowcountry.

On their tour through Charleston, diplomats learned firsthand about Charleston’s integration with the world – from the nearly $70 billion worth of cargo transported each year through the Port of Charleston to the engineering advances developed at Clemson University for countless international projects to the advanced manufacturing at Boeing’s signature production facility – as the region addresses critical challenges and opportunities.

The “Experience America” program was created to engage local business and community leaders and spotlight America’s communities. Promoting economic development is a major priority of the visit. Experience America builds relationships between the visiting Ambassadors and Charleston, open doors for local organizations eager to develop global partnerships and stimulate new investment and trade possibilities.