Louisville International News

Two years after its launch, the Greater Louisville International Professionals group is going strong.

The organization boasts an online membership of more than 1,200 people from 96 countries and hosts more than 25 events per year that draw from 30 to 200 people each time. GLIP enjoys strong corporate support with nine corporate sponsors.

GLIP also offers quarterly social outings and after-hours networking events, an international signature speaker series, informal dinners at area ethnic restaurants and relocation guidance and support for international families moving to Louisville.

GLIP’s 50 country ambassadors, or volunteer connectors, greet incoming families from their native countries and act as the point-person listed on country-specific Web sites maintained at GLIP’s general Web site.

The ambassadors are from many countries, including India, China, Mexico, France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Germany, Kenya and Egypt.

“It’s a great assimilation tool,” said Michael Iacovazzi-Pau, manager of international programs for Greater Louisville Inc., the metro chamber of commerce. “We are here to make Louisville a welcoming and inclusive place.”

GLIP is an initiative of GLI and one of its programs designed to support economic development.

Welcoming internationals to Kentucky

Louisville is home to 80,000 international residents, and the city receives 1,600 direct placements from other countries around the world each year, said Iacovazzi-Pau, a native of Belgium.

The number of international residents has grown significantly in recent years and is up from about 55,000 about six or seven years ago, he said.

GLIP not only provides a social and connection platform for internationals, but it also functions as a source for recruiters and human resource professionals who are interested in attracting worldwide talent to Louisville. International executives, entrepreneurs and academics also participate, Iacovazzi-Pau said. Click here to read full article.