The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) said on the 26th that it held the "U.S. site selection seminar 2025" with CBRE, a global commercial real estate consulting company, at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul on the 25th.
Hosted by CBRE for the first time in Korea, the seminar was organized to propose practical strategies such as site selection to domestic corporations preparing to enter the U.S. market.
AMCHAM Chairman and CEO James Kim said, "As Korean corporations' investment in the United States is gaining momentum, site selection is a key task that will determine long-term success," and added, "Site selection goes beyond simply securing a parcel of land; it must comprehensively weigh incentives and talent acquisition, logistics efficiency, and sustainable partnerships with local communities."
Eric Stavriotis, head of CBRE's Americas Incentives Group, said, "Site selection is a critical decision that affects corporations and local communities for 10 years to as long as more than 30 years. By approaching it from a comprehensive, long-term perspective, you can secure optimal outcomes and a competitive edge."
Christopher Shastock, executive director of CBRE's Incentives Group, said, "Attracting foreign direct investment in the United States—especially from Korea—is the top priority for state economic development departments," and added, "States, cities, and local governments can offer tailored incentives for new investments."
Advice also emerged that the characteristics of labor markets in major U.S. regions must be considered. It said the project's specific needs—such as regional wage levels, concentration of skilled workers, and scalability—should be meticulously matched with the local labor ecosystem.
In the panel discussion, CBRE Senior Vice Presidents Sophie Choi and Stephanie Park served as moderators under the theme "Site selection strategies and case studies." Along with key CBRE executives, Choi Dong-cheol, head of the M&A support team at the headquarters of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), also took part to share real-world U.S. entry cases, success strategies, and key points to note on the ground.