Ambassador Szapáry visited Charlotte, North Carolina on September 25-26 and inaugurated Chris Domeny as Honorary Consul of Hungary to North and South Carolina. Ambassador Szapary and Honorary Consul Domeny spent two days meeting with government and business leaders, as well as members of the local Hungarian community.

On September 25, the Honorary Consulate organized a luncheon with the K&L Gates Law Offices in Charlotte, NC, focusing on Hungary's Innovation ecosystem. Ambassador Szapary joined a panel from Budapest that included László Korányi of the National Innovation Office, Balazs Varro of Ustream, and Csaba Faix of Prezi. The talk was moderated by Manoj Govindan, chairman of the Charlotte Business Advisory Council.


Honorary Consul Domeny with opening remarks.


The group also participated in a city-sponsored tour of the NASCAR Hall of Fame to learn more about the region’s history of motorsports. Hungarian business owner and President of the Eltec Group Istvan Domeny and Sascha Struckmeier joined the delegation.


Honorary Consul Domeny, Ambassador Szapary, Sascha Struckmeier, and NASCAR Hall of Fame representative Joelle Lapsey

Ambassador Szapary and Honorary Consul Domeny further met with Mayor Clodfelter to discuss common interests and synergies between Hungary and the City of Charlotte.


Mayor Clodfelter, Ambassador Szapary, Honorary Consul Domeny

The Honorary Consulate hosted an evening reception at the Charlotte City Club where the inauguration took place.


Ambassador Szapary, Honorary Consul Domeny, Adrienn Domeny, Istvan Domeny listening to opening remarks of the reception.

The ceremonies were followed by a private dinner with distinguished guests from the region.


Honorary Consul General Parkerson, Honorary Consul Domeny, Ambassador Szapary

On September 26, Ambassador Szapary and Honorary Consul Domeny met with representatives of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and Charlotte International Cabinet to discuss the region’s interests in Hungary and ways to foster bi-lateral business activities.

Ambassador Szapary also met with two local companies, K&L Gates and SPX, to discuss their interest in Hungary and ways to support the companies’ intentions to increase activities in Hungary.

Ambassador Szapary later spoke at the World Affairs Council of Charlotte luncheon where he presented the impact of the Ukrainian crisis on Central and Eastern Europe.


Ambassador Szapary delivering his presentation at the World Affairs Council in Charlotte

The delegation then travelled to the Charlotte Latin School for a school assembly, which was opened by the school's music band and choir that performed the Hungarian national Anthem in Hungarian.


The Charlotte Latin School Choir and Music Band performing the Hungarian National Anthem

A panel discussion followed with Ambassador Szapary, Honorary Consul Domeny, and Tony Calabrese, US Army Veteran and former International Studies teacher at the American International School of Budapest. The panel was moderated by Derek Smith, Director of International Studies at the Charlotte Latin School.


Mr. Calabrese, Ambassador Szapary, and Honorary Consul Domeny on the Latin School Panel

The Ambassador’s visit was concluded with festivities organized by the Charlotte Latin School and the Hungarian Community of the Carolinas. Charlotte-based community leader Eszter Gagnon moderated the evening, which included a musical performance of a Hungarian folk song by Zita Foster.

Hungarian Community listening to Ambassador Szapary's address