JASA past dinner & Business Forum recap
Thank you for your participation in JASA 2023 Celebration Dinner & Business Forum!
The night’s program started by honoring the achievements of six Expanding Japanese companies—Cullman Casting, Topre America, North American Lighting, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Toray Composite Materials, and Daikin America— who have helped to create jobs and breathe life into communities all around our great state of Alabama. Their investment is worthy of celebration.
Following that was a presentation of the Samuel Ullman Award to Mr. Robert Black and Mrs. Linda T. Roberson. Mr. Black spoke about his efforts in creating the North Alabama Japanese garden and how the involvement of people in his community was integral and meaningful. Mrs. Roberson’s speech focused on her call to teaching and the exploration of the different cultures that make us who we are. She also expanded on the importance of education and how meaningful of an experience it was to expose students to a culture that she was learning so much about herself.
A special appreciation goes to our keynote speaker, Mr. Greg "Boomer" Wells, who entertained us with his experiences from his time playing in the NPB league. Mr. Wells has lived an interesting life as a pro athlete and as an Alabama native in Japan. He recounted humorous stories, demonstrating the differences and similarities between American and Japanese culture through his experiences.
JASA also wants to say a big thank you to everyone who stayed overnight or came early to participate in the JASA 2023 Business Forum the following morning after our Annual Celebration Dinner! We were happy to provide the opportunity for our guests to network and learn the recent business updates over a hearty Japanese breakfast.
The presentations delivered by two industry leaders were highly informative and helpful to anyone wanting to do business here in our state.
Mr. Kevin Taylor, Deputy Director of Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) spoke about new and ongoing government programs and incentives that companies could take advantage of for their workforce development. He also spoke in detail about the EV and robotics centers that are expanding in Alabama.
Ms. Kristen Holder, Executive Director of Central Six Alabama Works! discussed her organization's role and that of other government programs in executing workforce development, particularly focusing on younger potential workers. She also delved into the educational aspect of workforce development.
We would love to once again thank both of them for their time and effort in talking with us, and those in attendance.
We also extend our sincere thanks to the generous sponsors of this year's events. Their dedication to our community is truly appreciated, and without their contribution, JASA could not undertake our mission of outreach and support for our community.
Last but not least we also want to thank anyone who has volunteered with us for this event or any other throughout the year. Big or small, any amount of time or effort that you have spent with us, is tremendously impactful to our success.
JASA 2023 Annual Celebration Dinner and Business Forum was featured on Made in Alabama!
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Congratulations to 6 Expanding Japanese Companies in Alabama!
| Congratulations to 2023 Samuel Ullman Award Recipients!
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2023 Celebration Dinner and Business Forum Photo Gallery
JASA 2022 Celebration Dinner & Business Forum October 20th - 21st, 2022 at Westin Huntsville
The JASA Annual Celebration Dinner brings together leaders from business, government, economic development, education and culture, all of whom support JASA’s mission of furthering the Alabama-Japan relationship. With over 80 Japanese companies now doing business in Alabama, it is important that we continually address the issues that are important to those companies, as well as their employees and families. The incredible economic growth that Huntsville and north Alabama are experiencing, led in part by the Japanese automotive industry, made Huntsville the perfect setting for this year's JASA Celebration Dinner and Business Forum.
JASA 2022 Annual Celebration Dinner and Business Forum was featured on Made in Alabama!
MADE IN ALABAMA: Alabama-Japan relationship celebrated as robust bonds strengthen
Congratulations to 6 Expanding Japanese Companies in Alabama!
| 2022 Samuel Ullman Award Recipient: Mr. Ed Castile, Executive Director and Deputy Secretary of Commerce, AIDT Since his appointment as AIDT Director in 1993, Mr. Castile has been involved in designing and leading workforce recruitment and training for numerous new and expanding Alabama employers, many of them Japanese. |
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2022 Dinner and Business Forum Photo Gallery
