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RICHMOND, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger will lead her first economic trade mission to the United Kingdom, Italy, and France from Saturday, July 18 until Friday, July 24. The mission will be focused on strengthening the Commonwealth's relationships with international employers, attracting new business investment, and expanding economic opportunity across Virginia.
Throughout the seven-day mission, Governor Spanberger will participate in an intensive schedule of meetings with senior business executives in strategic industries, including aerospace and defense, advanced manufacturing, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, and energy. She will also meet with partners to strengthen export opportunities and international relationships that support Virginia's agriculture and forestry industries.
"Virginia's economic future depends on our ability to compete in the global marketplace while expanding economic opportunity at home," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "When global companies are considering where to invest in the United States, I always want Virginia to be their first choice. Every meeting is an opportunity to showcase Virginia's exceptional workforce, world-class infrastructure, and collaborative approach to economic development as we work to create jobs and opportunity across every region of our Commonwealth."
Governor Spanberger recently celebrated Virginia's rise to #3 in CNBC's "America's Top States for Business" rankings, reflecting a strong business climate that continues to attract high-caliber companies to the Commonwealth. Virginia earned the #2 national ranking for infrastructure. Nationally recognized workforce development programs - including the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program and InternshipsVA, recently launched by Governor Spanberger - continue to build the talent pipeline that companies rely on.
Governor Spanberger will be joined on the trade mission by Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier, and senior officials from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC), and Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (VDACS).
"Virginia's international relationships are built over years of relationship building through consistent engagement and trusted partnerships," said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery. "This mission allows us to deepen those connections, showcase Virginia's competitive advantages, and continue advancing opportunities that support long-term economic growth. Face-to-face engagement with global business leaders remains one of the most effective ways to strengthen our project pipeline and position the Commonwealth for future investment."
"Virginia's agricultural and forestry industries, two of the Commonwealth's most important economic sectors, depend on strong international partnerships," said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier. "This mission provides an opportunity to promote Virginia's world-class agricultural and forestry products and execute the Governor's directive in Executive Order 5 to grow Virginia's agricultural and forestry exports."
The Governor will begin the mission in the United Kingdom and attend the Farnborough International Airshow, one of the world's premier aerospace and defense industry events. She will then travel to Italy for additional meetings focused on business growth and new investment opportunities, before concluding the mission in France to host a Virginia Reception to highlight the best of what the Commonwealth has to offer.
The 2026 Farnborough International Airshow is expected to bring together the world's leading aerospace, aviation, defense, and space organizations. The event provides Virginia with a unique opportunity to promote the Commonwealth's nationally recognized aerospace and defense ecosystem, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and highly skilled workforce while engaging directly with industry leaders from around the world.
Since taking office, Governor Spanberger has announced more than $5 billion in new business investment and more than 3,000 new jobs across the Commonwealth. By strengthening relationships with existing employers and prospective investors, the 2026 Economic Trade Mission will position Virginia to compete for the next generation of high-value investment projects and ensure economic opportunity continues to reach every region of Virginia.
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