Delegation from Atlanta Visits TBU and the Zlín Region to Explore US Market Expansion Opportunities
13. October 2025On Thursday, 9 October 2025, a delegation from Atlanta, Georgia (USA) visited Tomas Bata University in Zlín (TBU) and the Zlín Region. The aim of the visit was to strengthen international cooperation and present specific opportunities for companies and institutions in the region to expand into the American market.
The main part of the programme took place at Tomas Bata University in Zlín, where the delegation met with representatives of regional institutions and businesses.
The Atlanta delegation included representatives of key organisations: Erica Long (Develop Fulton), Trevor Gillies (YER USA), Olivia Rios (Cold Mountain Consulting), Annick Ducher (Georgia Tech/Enterprise Innovation Institute Global) and Teri A. Simmons (Arnall Golden Gregory LLP). They were accompanied by representatives of the Czech Republic: Head of the Economic Department at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington Jan Hladík, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic in Atlanta Monika Vintrlíková, and Project Manager of the Czech Business Incubator Atlanta Viktor Fiala.
Tomas Bata University was represented by Vice-Rector for R&D and Creative Activities Professor Petr Humpolíček, Director of the University Institute Professor Michal Sedlačík, and Dr Pavel Urbánek from the Centre of Polymer Systems (CPS).
University representatives introduced the structure and activities of TBU, with particular emphasis on the Centre of Polymer Systems (CPS), which focuses on cutting-edge research, for instance in the field of Space and Aircraft Materials.
The region’s readiness for international cooperation was confirmed in presentations by Lukáš Trčka, Managing Director of the Technology Innovation Centre, and Joshua Wheeler, Head of International Relations at the Zlin Region Investment Agency.
Representatives from the aviation, creative and technology sectors participated in the event and presented their products: Bronislav Velecký (Aircraft Industries a.s.), Richard Vodička (egoé a.s.), Antonín Machala (Altech, spol. s r.o.) and Pavel Džavík (AGD Print s.r.o.).
One of the main topics of discussion was supporting the expansion of companies from the Zlín Region into the US market. The activities of the Czech Business Incubator Atlanta were introduced, offering regional companies incubation services and assistance with market entry. A key announcement was the planned business mission to Atlanta in November 2025, which will provide a practical opportunity to establish direct contacts in Georgia.
In the afternoon, the programme continued with a visit to the company Cross Zlín, a.s. and a presentation by Incinity s.r.o., both of which are actively engaged in the development of intelligent transport systems and Smart Cities solutions.
Atlanta, as the seat of the most populous county in Georgia (Fulton County) and home to numerous key institutions including the Georgia Institute of Technology, represents an attractive partner for cooperation in advanced technologies, innovation, business development and academic knowledge exchange.
