A 14-member delegation traveled to Memphis to learn Aerotropolis best practices.
By Lori M. Spicer
The Greater Memphis Chamber played host to a group of knowledge –seeking French visitors, in search of best practices on creating a thriving and affluent French Aerotropolis. The 14-member Charles de Gaul Airport delegation traveled to Memphis to learn how to successfully establish Paris’s Aerotropolis.
The visit included a tour of the Memphis International Airport to see the developments and the commerce surrounding the airport area; a detailed overview of the Memphis Aerotropolis; a tour of Graceland and an exclusive meeting with Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises, on the Graceland Expansion Project; an Airbus flight simulator and the FedEx World Hub Tour; and of course a host of Memphis dining destinations – Texas de Brazil, Flight Restaurant, McEwen’s Restaurant and Blues City Café.
Their final day of meetings address the considerable impact of tourism and conventions, and Memphis’s perspective on how to sell Aerotropolis to perspective businesses. Richard Smith, son of FedEx Corporation Chairman and CEO Fred Smith and Managing Director, Life Science & Specialty Services, was on hand to tell about the company’s new green and efficiency initiatives. As the French delegation said “au revoir,” the Memphis business and community leaders shared with them the importance of identifying their unique assets and cultural amenities to attract companies to locate around their new hub.
Below are the presentations that were displayed during the visit by both Memphis and French partners in the Aerotropolis initiative.