From Cargo to Baseballs: A Day Highlighting South Carolina’s Competitive Advantage
What do air cargo operations and a baseball game have in common?
Quite a bit, as it turns out.
On June 11, SC Competes spent the day bringing together partners from across South Carolina’s logistics and aerospace communities. The day started with a behind-the-scenes look at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport’s growing air cargo operation and ended at Fluor Field for the 6th Annual SC Aerospace Night with the Greenville Drive.
While the venues couldn’t have been more different, both events highlighted the people, partnerships, and opportunities that continue to drive South Carolina’s economy forward.
A Closer Look at a Growing Gateway
The day began at GSP, where attendees heard from Peter Gross, Air Cargo Development Manager for the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District.
For many in the room, it was an opportunity to gain a better understanding of an operation that plays a critical role in keeping South Carolina’s economy moving.
Every week, cargo flights arrive at GSP from Belgium, Germany, and other parts of the world and country connecting South Carolina companies to global markets. Much of that cargo supports BMW and the automotive supply chain, but the airport’s capabilities extend far beyond the automotive sector.
GSP has built a reputation for handling specialized shipments that require precision, flexibility, and speed. Whether transporting concert equipment, luxury automobiles, or even horses, the airport’s cargo team has become known for finding solutions where larger, more congested airports often cannot.
That customer-first approach continues to set GSP apart. With a focus on safety, quality, and responsiveness, the airport has earned the trust of customers around the world and is well-positioned for continued future growth.
The discussion also served as a reminder that Logistics and Aerospace are intertwined. Both industries rely on efficient transportation networks, international connectivity, and highly-skilled workers to succeed.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District for hosting our meeting and providing our partners and attendees with a tour of the air cargo facilities. The opportunity to hear directly from the GSP team and see the operation firsthand offered all of us valuable insight into the airport’s growing role in South Carolina’s logistics network and beyond.
Celebrating the Aerospace Industry and Its Future
After spending the afternoon discussing global cargo movement and supply chain connectivity, the focus shifted to another critical component of industry growth: the People.
That evening, hundreds of industry leaders, educators, students, and community partners gathered at Fluor Field for our 6th Annual SC Aerospace Night.
Since its launch in 2021, this event has grown into one of South Carolina’s signature aerospace celebrations, creating opportunities to showcase the industry while introducing students and families to the careers that power it.
This year’s event brought together participants from across the state, with attendees traveling from Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Sumter, Columbia, along with communities throughout the Upstate. Eleven concourse displays highlighted companies, organizations, and educational/workforce partners that represent the strength and diversity of South Carolina’s aerospace ecosystem.
Thanks to support from our partners and sponsors, we were able to offer more than 500 students complimentary tickets, helping to connect our young people with an industry that continues to create opportunities across the state.
Before the game, more than 140 guests attended the Leaders Reception, which included representation from all of SC Competes’ signature industry initiatives—SC Aerospace, SC Logistics, SC Tech, and SC Defense. The gathering reflected the successful collaboration happening across South Carolina’s innovation economy and the shared focus on workforce development and industry growth.
One of the evening’s most fitting moments came before the first pitch.
Doug Adomatis, science teacher and leader of the Greenville Tech Charter High School AOPA program, took the mound to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. His participation served as a reminder that the future of South Carolina’s aerospace industry is already being shaped in classrooms across the state. To layer on top of that, our long-time SC Logistics and education partner, Chuck Baker, sang the National Anthem.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
SC Aerospace Night continues to grow because of the support of outstanding partners who believe in the future of South Carolina’s aerospace industry.
Thank you to the Greenville Drive for helping create a fun and engaging platform that brings together industry, education, and community in a way few events can.
We also extend our appreciation to Ranger Aerospace and the South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center (SCTAC) for serving as Leaders Reception Sponsors and helping foster meaningful industry connections throughout the evening.
Finally, thank you to Lockheed Martin, our Premier Sponsor, for its continued support and leadership within South Carolina’s aerospace and education community.
Together, the day’s events demonstrated the value of bringing people together around shared opportunities and challenges. Whether discussing global cargo operations at GSP or celebrating aerospace workforce development at Fluor Field, the conversations reinforced what SC Competes works to support every day: stronger industries, stronger partnerships, and a stronger South Carolina.
