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Get ready for an unforgettable evening with Lt. Col. Ed Cottrell, a living legend and 102-year-old WWII P-47 fighter pilot, as he shares his thrilling experiences from the cockpit in the heart of World War II.

From his missions in Belgium and Germany—skip-bombing enemy positions and dodging deadly ground fire—to his harrowing encounter with German Me-109 fighters during the Battle of the Bulge, Ed’s story is one of sheer resilience and courage. Blinded by oil from a 20mm shell hit and facing enemy fighters on both sides, Ed made a daring escape, chugging his damaged P-47 home at a nail-biting 120 mph.

This isn’t just a recount of history; it’s a firsthand tale of survival against the odds, split-second decisions in the face of danger, and honor for those who fought to turn the tide against Hitler.

Don’t miss your chance to meet Ed Cottrell, hear his incredible story, and honor a veteran who’s been decorated with the French Legion of Honor and immortalized in Waiting for the Bullets, his Valor Studios print depicting this very encounter.

Join World Affairs Council Upstate’s Beyond the Headlines Speaker Series for an engaging discussion with Dr. Sixta Rinehart, Political Science professor at Palmetto College. This thought-provoking event will explore how terrorist organizations like ISIS, al-Qaeda, and regional militant groups impact U.S. foreign policy, particularly in relation to Russia and Israel.

Dr. Rinehart will examine how these nonstate actors complicate American counterterrorism efforts, influence geopolitical alliances, and shape diplomatic priorities—especially regarding Russia’s involvement in Syria and Israel’s security concerns. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain deeper insight into the complex global security challenges policymakers face today.

European American Chamber of Commerce (EACC) & Upstate International (UI)

We’re thrilled to announce our new partnership with EACC, bringing you even more engaging speakers and exciting networking opportunities. About four times a year, we’ll host informal after-work gatherings at Old Europe Coffee at Bridge Way Station in Mauldin. These relaxed events will feature experts discussing current topics, all while you enjoy a coffee or wine.

The goal is to bring together the expat community—who often live in separate environments—and locals, fostering connections between international and American attendees. Whether you’re looking to learn a new language, find new friends or clients, or just have fun, there’s something for everyone.

These events are open to all, providing a fantastic chance to meet new people and exchange ideas. As a member, you can bring up to two guests at the member price. And if you bring two new faces, your entry and a glass of wine are on us!

*Membership Price: $10 (Please Email Tracie Frese ([email protected]), UI’s Executive Director, for UI’s Member Discount Code)

Non-Member Price: $20

We’re also inviting members to become speakers at future “Global Connections” events. First up, Ogletree will discuss the important and timely topic of the visa environment for both employers and employees. If you’re interested in speaking at a future event, feel free to share your ideas with us!

We look forward to seeing you there!

NOMA Square. 220 North Main Street.

Piedmont Natural Gas Downtown Alive presented by Spectrum benefiting Metropolitan Arts Council, kicks off the weekend every Thursday night with music at NOMA Square on Main Street. FREE ADMISSION. More than 45,000 people attend this event annually. The event serves as the single largest fundraiser for the Metropolitan Arts Council. Piedmont Natural Gas Downtown Alive opens at 5:30 p.m. and closes at 8:30 p.m. Bands play two sets at 5:50 p.m. and 7:20 p.m

NOMA Square. 220 North Main Street.

Piedmont Natural Gas Downtown Alive presented by Spectrum benefiting Metropolitan Arts Council, kicks off the weekend every Thursday night with music at NOMA Square on Main Street. FREE ADMISSION. More than 45,000 people attend this event annually. The event serves as the single largest fundraiser for the Metropolitan Arts Council. Piedmont Natural Gas Downtown Alive opens at 5:30 p.m. and closes at 8:30 p.m. Bands play two sets at 5:50 p.m. and 7:20 p.m

NOMA Square. 220 North Main Street.

Piedmont Natural Gas Downtown Alive presented by Spectrum benefiting Metropolitan Arts Council, kicks off the weekend every Thursday night with music at NOMA Square on Main Street. FREE ADMISSION. More than 45,000 people attend this event annually. The event serves as the single largest fundraiser for the Metropolitan Arts Council. Piedmont Natural Gas Downtown Alive opens at 5:30 p.m. and closes at 8:30 p.m. Bands play two sets at 5:50 p.m. and 7:20 p.m

Tunnel to Towers is an organization aiming to help the nation to Never Forget the brave men and women who lost their lives on 9/11. T2T will be putting on this 5k to help support the nations veterans today. The race will be throughout the greater Downtown Greenville area.

Join us at the Greenville Convention Center for the Women United, Women Make a Difference Summit and Luncheon on April 29th, 2025. Join United Way of Greenville County for our second Women United Summit—including our annual Women Make a Difference Luncheon featuring bestselling author and speaker Angela Garbes. This inspiring event celebrates the power of women to create change in our community. Join us to connect, learn and empower the next generation of women to lead the way in Greenville County.  In addition to our luncheon with Angela Garbes, our Women United Summit offers powerful, expert-led workshops on a variety of exciting topics and a curated vendor fair featuring women-owned and women-focused organizations and resources. Together, let’s inspire change and celebrate the remarkable influence of Greenville County women.

Event Date: April 29th, 2025

Agenda:

7:30 a.m. | Registration Opens
7:30–8:15 a.m. | Breakfast, Networking & Vendor Exhibition
8:15–9:15 a.m. | Morning Plenary
9:30–10:30 a.m. | Workshop Session #1
10:50–11:50 a.m. | Workshop Session #2
12:15–1:30 p.m. | Lunch Presentation, Keynote and Q&A with Angela Garbes
1:30–2:00 p.m. | Networking & Vendor Exhibition

In a world where data flows faster than ever, cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue—it’s personal. From your phone to your finances, the risks are real and increasingly global. But what can you do to protect yourself and your community?

Join us for the second session of our new Global Connections series: Global Threats, Local Risks – Protecting Your Data in a Connected World, led by Michael Sylvester, Chief Strategy Officer at AT-NET. With decades of experience at the intersection of technology and security, Michael will break down today’s digital threats in a way that’s clear, actionable, and relevant to your everyday life.

Following the successful kickoff of this quarterly series, this session continues our mission to explore complex global issues in a welcoming, down-to-earth setting. Hosted by Upstate International and the European American Chamber of Commerce, Global Connections brings together expats and locals for expert-led conversations—paired with a glass of wine or a cup of artisan coffee at Old Europe Coffee in Simpsonville.

Whether you’re concerned about cybercrime, curious about how international threats affect your own backyard, or just looking to connect with globally minded neighbors, this event is for you. Come for the insights, stay for the community.

Let’s turn complex global issues into meaningful local conversations—one cup at a time.

Building Connections, Building Your Network!

The 6th annual NASPA-SC Drive-In conference will be Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the University of South Carolina-Upstate located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Our conference theme will be “Building Connections, Building Your Network!”. Our aim is to offer a conference filled with resourceful breakout sessions, guest speakers and engagement opportunities for higher education professionals to discover resources and insights that can be beneficial now as well as in the future.

Join us on May 28th, 2025, for the grand opening and ribbon cutting of Form x Function Wellness, Chiropractic and Nutrition! The celebration kicks off at noon with a ribbon cutting, followed by a drop-in event until 3 PM featuring office tours, giveaways, and a chance to meet our team. We’re proud to serve our community—especially first responders and postpartum moms—with personalized chiropractic and wellness care