2024 SAUPO

The 2024 SAUPO conference, held on April 12 at the KSU Center in Kennesaw, provided a full day of live-streamed and in-person events, featuring key discussions on sustainability, technology, and business trends across the USA and Asia. Attendees enjoyed live performances, networking sessions, and panels moderated by esteemed KSU leaders, as well as keynote speeches from distinguished officials, including the U.S. Ambassador for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

This year's conference continued to foster valuable international connections, offering attendees insights into strategic developments in global partnerships and investment.

  • SAUPO Day: 8:00am to 4:30pm, Friday April 12, 2024,
    KSU Center: 3333 Busbee Dr., Kennesaw GA 30144
    The face-to-face SAUPO 2024 will be live-streamed and recorded by KSU EventAV.

    SAUPO 2024 Itinerary
    Friday April 12, 2024
    8:00am to 4:30pm

    8:00am-9:00am: Registration & Breakfast with Live Guzheng Music Performance | Sponsored by KSU Office of Vice President for Research

    9:00am-9:30am: Opening & Introductions
    Sponsored by KSU Radow College of Humanities & Social Sciences

    Sha Huang, Associate Professor of Chinese, Asian Studies Coordinator, KSU
    May Gao, SAUPO Chair, Professor of Communication & Asian Studies, KSU
    Catherine “Katie” Kaukinen, Dean, Radow College of Humanities & SS., KSU
    Karin Scarpinato, Vice President for Research, Kennesaw State University
    Sheb True, Associate Vice Provost, Professor of Marketing, KSU
    Kiyo Kojima, Chairman, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia
    9:30am-10:30am: Sponsored by KSU WellStar College of Health and Human Services & KSU College of Architecture and Construction Management 

    SAUPO Panel #1: Sustainability Strategies
    in USA and ASIA

    Moderator: Monica Swahn, Dean, KSU WellStar College of Health and Human Services

    DeAnn Golden, President & CEO, Berkshire Hathaway HS Georgia Properties
    Hazem Rashed-Ali, Dean, College of Architecture and Construction Management 
    William Strang, President, TOTO USA
    Tomohiro Hamaoka, Executive Vice President, Calpis America

    10:30am-11:00am: Sponsored by YKK Corporation of America

    Morning Networking Break

    11:00am-12:00pm: Sponsored by KSU Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology 

    SAUPO Panel #2: AI, Technology and Innovation

    Moderator: Ian Ferguson, Dean, KSU Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology

    • David Kirk, President & CEO, Murata Electronics North America
    • Jessica Cork, Vice President, Digital Strategy, YKK Corporation of America
    • Michael Caldwell, Mayor of Woodstock, Georgia
    • Chris Cornelison, Interim Associate VP for Innovation and Commercialization, KSU

    12:00pm-2:00pm: Sponsored by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties 

    SAUPO Networking Lunch with Keynote Speeches

    • Honorable Matt Murray, U.S. Ambassador for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State
    • Honorable Jianying Zhao, Deputy General Representative, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT); China Chamber of International Commerce
    • Honorable Joann Hill, Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary, MBDA, U.S. Dept. of Commerce

    2:00pm-3:00pm: Sponsored by Georgia Automotive Manufacturers Association (GAMA)

    SAUPO Panel #3: Trends in Business and Investment

    Moderator: Tyler Reinagel, Associate Vice President for Economic Development, KSU

    • Rick Walker, President & CEO, Georgia Automotive Manufacturers Association
    • Huraiyah Ahmed, President, Atlanta International Language Institute
    • Vanessa Hardiman, CEO, Boss Kidz Inc.
    • Stella Xu, Managing Director, Southeast Asia, Georgia Dept. of Economic Development

    3:00pm-3:30pm: Sponsored by Atlanta International Language Institute

    Afternoon Networking Break

    3:30pm-4:30pm: Sponsored by the City of Woodstock

    SAUPO Networking Reception with
    Live Japanese and American Jazz Concert

    SAUPO 2024 goes from 8:00am to 4:30pm, Friday April 12, 2024, in person.

    • Sha Huang, Associate Professor of Chinese, Asian Studies Coordinator, KSU
    • May Gao, SAUPO Chair, Professor of Communication & Asian Studies, KSU
    • Catherine “Katie” Kaukinen, Dean, Radow College of Humanities & SS., KSU
    • Karin Scarpinato, Vice President for Research, Kennesaw State University
    • Sheb True, Associate Vice Provost, Professor of Marketing, KSU
    • Kiyo Kojima, Chairman, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia
    • Monica Swahn, Dean, KSU WellStar College of Health and Human Services
    • DeAnn Golden, President & CEO, Berkshire Hathaway HS Georgia Properties
    • Hazem Rashed-Ali, Dean, College of Architecture and Construction Management
    • William Strang, President, TOTO USA
    • Tomohiro Hamaoka, Executive Vice President, Calpis America
    • Ian Ferguson, Dean, KSU Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
    • David Kirk, President & CEO, Murata Electronics North America
    • Jessica Cork, Vice President, Digital Strategy, YKK Corporation of America
    • Michael Caldwell, Mayor of Woodstock, Georgia
    • Chris Cornelison, Interim Associate VP for Innovation and Commercialization, KSU
    • Honorable Matt Murray, U.S. Ambassador for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State
    • Honorable Jianying Zhao, Deputy General Representative, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT); China Chamber of International Commerce
    • Honorable Joann Hill, Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary, MBDA, U.S. Dept. of Commerce
    • Tyler Reinagel, Associate Vice President for Economic Development, KSU
    • Rick Walker, President & CEO, Georgia Automotive Manufacturers Association
    • Huraiyah Ahmed, President, Atlanta International Language Institute
    • Vanessa Hardiman, CEO, Boss Kidz Inc.
    • Stella Xu, Managing Director, Southeast Asia, Georgia Dept. of Economic Development
SAUPO 2024 Magazine