The Upstate’s regional economic development organization is encouraging business and community leaders to share their economic development stories through its #TeamUpstate campaign.

The initiative was launched at the Upstate SC Alliance Annual Meeting on Tuesday at the T.D. Convention Center, with more than 400 business and community leaders from throughout the Upstate in attendance.

Keynote speaker Knudt Flor, President & CEO of BMW Manufacturing Co., spoke about how South Carolina’s pro-business approach has contributed significantly to the success of BMW’s Plant Spartanburg. The relationship between business and the region was also explored through a six-minute video containing stories from industries AWL-Techniek and Solar Atmospheres in addition to a local economic developer's perspective from Union County Development Board and an investor testimonial from GreerWalker.

Together, the Upstate’s 10 counties have recruited more than $10.35 billion in capital investment and 27,967 new jobs in the last five years. In 2017, the region saw $1.9 billion in capital investment announcements and 6,202 new jobs announced.

“Business growth of this magnitude is only obtained through a collaborative approach, where every community in the Upstate is selling our region’s collective assets and demonstrating strong ability to work together,” said Upstate SC Alliance President & CEO John Lummus. “Our region’s leaders are working together to break barriers, and this campaign is designed to show that together, our region is more than the sum of its parts.”

Designed with social media engagement in mind, the campaign’s core visuals are a suite of print and digital advertisements that connect today’s foundation with tomorrow’s opportunities.

The multifaceted campaign will be implemented through a series of advertisements produced by The Brandon Agency, Upstate SC Alliance events, and a collection of stories shared with regional media outlets. Community members are encouraged to share their own stories to raise awareness for economic development’s processes and benefits using the phrase “Together, We…” and using #TeamUpstate on social media.

“The campaign visuals highlight the prominent industries in the Upstate juxtaposed with the aspirations of a child in an emotional, almost unexpected fashion that suggests achieving the unthinkable,” said Barry Sanders, The Brandon Agency VP – Director of New Business. “The key to great creative is to instantly achieve an emotional connection with the audience, and this campaign does that in a powerful fashion while generating awareness for the opportunities the region is building.”

“There’s something special about the Upstate of South Carolina. The partnership between 10 counties, eight cities, more than 170 private investor companies, and agencies such as the SC Department of Commerce, SC Ports Authority, and our education and workforce development agencies is a key driver in our area’s success,” said Max Metcalf, Upstate SC Alliance Immediate Past Chairman and BMW Manufacturing Co. Manager of Government & Community Relations. “Our regional marketing and economic development approach is strengthened by each organization, and it’s a strength that propels our ability to compete globally.”

“Cooperation is at the heart of successful regional economic development, and it’s where the Upstate SC Alliance and its partners excel,” said Richard K. Blackwell, Executive Director of the Oconee Economic Alliance. “The Upstate Alliance’s work provides a platform for representing the Upstate on a global scale, and we’re feeling the momentum across our 10-county region as #TeamUpstate works together toward a shared vision.”