Arlington’s Relational New Approach to International Attraction

Arlington’s Business Investment team recently revamped its international business attraction strategy in alignment with market forces and our new strategic plan. The commercial real estate market is seeing less interest from U.S. companies looking to open offices in new locations, but international companies are looking to expand their business to the U.S.  With this opportunity in mind, Arlington is taking a new approach focused on building relationships and economic diplomacy. 

“Bottom line is we’re trying to bring international business to Arlington,” Michael Stiefvater, Director of Business Investment said. “Arlington is the ideal location on the East Coast, if not in all of North America for these businesses. With our diverse international population drawn to the seat of the Federal government, this is an environment where employees of international businesses can feel at home and thrive.”  

Adriana Bonilla, Assistant Director for Business Development is leading our new international attraction strategy. The strategy is focused on three pillars: Participating in the Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE), a program that brings together top leaders from over 30 nations to tour innovation districts and explore business opportunities; Creating communities of work such as networking groups that encourage relationships in the DC metro region; and building country chapters which bring people from other countries to Arlington to exchange ideas and hopes they will spread the word about Arlington to others in their home countries. 

Bonilla brings her relational approach to international development to AED after working for the Organization of American States, promoting economic development, and founding the ACE. She has been an Arlington resident for ten years and wanted to use her skills as an international economic developer to benefit the community where she lives.   

“Everything is connected, said Bonilla. “The connections and networks that we build can bring opportunities to Arlington. Arlington is open-minded, forward-thinking and diverse and we want people in other countries to think of us that way.” 

The strategies are already bearing fruit for Arlington. One of the communities of work, #LaTech, a networking group for Latino entrepreneurs, has had several successful meetings and is building a fledgling community. Ernesto Kruger, CEO of Kruger Corp – an Ecuadorian company, came to the first #LATech meeting and saw the great community. He met with AWS, Excella, Unstuck Labs, GMU, and Northwestern University, and saw potential in the ecosystem for his business. He is planning to open an office in Arlington in early 2025. 

Bonilla’s goal for the coming year is to continue building on the success of the communities of work and expanding the country chapters so that more people are reaching out to AED about opportunities in Arlington.