The European Union Center of Excellence (EUCE) within the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs hosted a public forum titled The European Union and Its Relevance for Atlanta as a Global City. Co-hosted by the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the May 11 forum brought together Georgia Commissioner Ken Stewart and the European Consular Corps including representatives from Belgium, Great Britain, France, Germany, Greece, Czech Republic and other entities.

Anthony Smallwood, Head of Press and Public Diplomacy for the European Union Delegation to Washington, D.C. was the keynote speaker. The forum was attended by other foreign diplomats and state and private business representatives from Atlanta and Georgia.

Associate Professor Vicki Birchfield who is Director of EUCE, explained that the goal of the forum was to discuss the meaning of European integration, to highlight European diplomatic and cultural activity in Atlanta, and to advance the $25.7 billion economic trade connection between Georgia and the European Union (EU) and Georgia Tech's role in that. The EU accounts for two thirds of foreign investment in Georgia.