Advancing transatlantic ties: AmCham heads to SelectUSA 2026

Following a strong showing in 2025, AmCham Georgia is once again preparing to lead a delegation to the United States for the SelectUSA Investment Summit this May, offering Georgian businesses a direct gateway into one of the world’s most competitive and dynamic investment markets.

AmCham Georgia’s participation in the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit marked a significant step forward in connecting Georgian companies with the U.S. market. The delegation, comprising more than 50 business leaders, joined over 5,500 participants in National Harbor, Maryland, including representatives from all 50 U.S. states, and investors from more than 100 countries.

The scale of Georgia’s presence stood out. President of AmCham Georgia Irakli Baidashvili noted that “…with over 50 attendees in 2025, we were one of the biggest delegations from Europe and larger than the UK. We were by far the largest delegation relative to the size of our economy. This reflects the strong and enduring interest that Georgian businesses have in the U.S. market and the transatlantic relationship.”

Beyond the summit itself, the delegation engaged in a series of high-level meetings in Washington, D.C., including with the U.S. National Security Council, the U.S. State Department, and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, as well as key private-sector stakeholders. These engagements reinforced the growing ambition of Georgian firms to expand internationally—and the role of AmCham Georgia in facilitating those connections.

From access to opportunities

For many participants, the value of SelectUSA is in its ability to translate ambition into action, providing direct access to decision-makers and practical guidance on entering the U.S. market.

This was evident in the experience of Founding Director of the Georgian-American International School Progress Nino Chikvashvili, who described the summit as a turning point in her organization’s expansion strategy. “It helped us move beyond theoretical planning and toward a data-informed, localized expansion strategy,” she said, emphasizing how direct engagement with service providers and state representatives enabled more concrete planning.

For startups, the structured nature of the U.S. ecosystem proved equally impactful. Founder of Orson Co. Lela Gochitashvili, who is developing an AI-powered legal tech platform, highlighted both the accessibility and depth of engagement: “The U.S. ecosystem is incredibly structured and welcoming to international startups,” she said, noting that targeted discussions and meetings provided “crucial guidance on incorporation and compliance requirements in the U.S.”

For returning participants, the value of continuity was equally clear. Founder of Exportinvest Business Consultancy Khatia Nikoleishvili, who attended for the second year alongside her clients, noted that the delegation returned “with clearer objectives, stronger networks, and more defined investment pathways.” She further underscored the summit’s broader importance, describing it as “a core tool in the early-stage internationalization process.”

Building towards SelectUSA 2026

Building on this momentum, AmCham Georgia will lead a new delegation to the SelectUSA Investment Summit, taking place from May 3–6 in Maryland—once again in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi.

Preparations are already underway. On March 6, AmCham co-hosted an information session in collaboration with Bank of Georgia and the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, bringing together representatives of international businesses, service providers, and the broader business community. The session offered practical guidance on how to navigate the summit and maximize its value, reflecting a growing level of preparedness among prospective participants.

This year’s delegation is expected to build on the relationships and insights developed in 2025. Returning participants will deepen existing connections, while new attendees will enter the summit with a clearer understanding of how to translate opportunity into execution.

As George Welton, Executive Director of AmCham Georgia, said, “Building the economic and business ties between Georgia and the U.S. is at the core of what AmCham Georgia does. We are sure that SelectUSA 2026 will build on our previous experience and once again show how this relationship is developing”.

If last year’s participation was about opening doors, the 2026 SelectUSA Summit is poised to be about moving through them—with greater clarity, stronger networks, and a more defined sense of opportunity.