April 12, 2011
Dear Friends of the Southeast-U.S./Japan Association:
Japan is facing one of the most difficult challenges in history as it confronts the widespread damage and suffering caused by the large-scale earthquake and tsunami which struck its northeastern coast last month. The economic severity and the toll on the nation’s populace continues to unfold, as these are early days yet in a recovery process of massive proportions.
More than ever, Japan needs the help and understanding of its friends around the world. That is why, after careful consideration of the extremely difficult circumstances affecting our hosts at Tokyo Electric Power Company, the decision has been made to postpone the 35thAnnual Meeting of the Japan-U.S. Southeast and Southeast-U.S./Japan Associations, originally scheduled to be held this October in Tokyo. A date in the fall of 2012 will be announced in the months ahead.
On behalf of the member states of the Southeast and our hosts in Japan, I appreciate your understanding and support of the joint decision to postpone the meeting. In the interim, we will focus our attention on fundraising for targeted relief efforts and investigate other avenues through which we may help Japan in this time of need.
Best regards,
Jack O. Bovender, Jr.
Chairman, Southeast-U.S./Japan Association
May 2010
Hello from Nashville!
Thank you to our many friends for the outpouring of concern after the unprecedented and devastating floods in Nashville and Middle Tennessee. So many have lost so much, and we are grateful for the offers of help and the relief efforts that have come from near and far.
With neighbors and friends working together with government and the private sector, we want to reassure you that Nashville will be ready to welcome you here in classic Music City style in October!
The 34th annual joint meeting in Nashville this October will be an important factor in Nashville’s economic recovery, and we are grateful for the continued strong support of our members, sponsors and delegates.
To date, the conference hotel and several proposed venues remain without damage. For those areas more extensively affected, we are hopeful that restoration will soon be under way and complete well in advance of our gathering.
We look forward to seeing all of you here soon!
The stage is set in Nashville, Tenn., from October 16 through 19 for the 34th Annual Joint Meeting of the Southeast U.S./Japan and the Japan-U.S. Southeast Associations (SEUS/Japan). Returning to Tennessee after 14 years, this prestigious gathering of global business leaders celebrates longstanding economic and cultural ties and offers delegates from Japan and eight Southeastern U.S. member states unparalleled opportunities to forge new ones.
Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen and private-sector Chairman Jack O. Bovender Jr. (retired chairman of HCA) will host the meeting at the
Renaissance Nashville Hotel, in the heart of Music City's historic downtown. Against a vibrant music industry backdrop and under the theme “In Harmony With Tradition and Innovation,” more than 500 corporate decision-makers and executives will take full advantage of the business discussions, networking sessions and hospitality that have become a trademark of this annual event.
Delegates from both the public and private sectors attending the Annual Joint Meeting are invited by one of the member jurisdictions within the two associations.
About the Associations
Created in 1976, the Southeast U.S./Japan Association was established to promote trade, investment, understanding and friendship between Japan and U.S. member states. Today, member states include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. A Japanese counterpart, the Japan-U.S. Southeast Association, is composed of Japan's top business leaders and government officials.
An annual conference between the two associations is held on a rotational basis in Japan and the Southeastern U.S. Also on a rotational basis, each of the eight states serves as "Host and Co-host State" for a two-year term and assumes leadership of SEUS/Japan during that period. Tennessee last hosted the meeting in Memphis in 1996 and in Nashville in 1982.