Member trip to the US and Canada: ProMat, port tours, and strategic meetings
From 16 to 22 March 2025, HIDC organized a member trip to the United States, visiting Chicago, Atlanta, and Savannah . The mission brought together HIDC, its members—including SADC, BOM, E8EU, and Briddge Legal & Finance —and Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) representatives for an inspiring journey of networking, innovation scouting, and strategic dialogue.
The trip commenced in Washington, D.C. where HIDC CEO Remco Buurman and Senior Business Development Manager Justin Groen visited the NFIA office—meeting with Jaap Slothouwer, NFIA’s Executive Director for the Americas— and the American Association of Importers and exporters (AAIE).
After the stop in Washington, D.C., Buurman and Groen contintued to Toronto, Canada. There, they met with representatives of NFIA Canada, the Trade Commissioner Service, and Invest Ontario. These meetings explored current geopolitical challenges, investment opportunities, and ways to strengthen business relations between Canadian and Dutch companies.
“The Netherlands offers the right conditions and a strategic starting point for Canadian companies looking to expand into Europe,” said Sjoerd Habing, Director & Head of Office at NFIA Canada. “Our infrastructure, talent base, and innovation ecosystems continue to make the Dutch business climate highly attractive.”
Canadian stakeholders also expressed a strong interest in attracting Dutch businesses to Canada, particularly in high-value sectors such as advanced manufacturing, agri-food, and clean technology.
ProMat and innovation in the supply chain
The delegation kicked off the U.S. portion of the trip in Chicago, where they attended ProMat 2025, a major international trade fair showcasing the latest innovations in robotics, manufacturing and supply chain technology. HIDC members had the chance to explore firsthand the latest trends in robotics, automation, and smart logistics solutions.
Still in Chicago, the group joined a breakfast meeting with the Dutch and American companies at the Dutch Consulate General, where topics such as the investment climate, tariff policies, and adoption of emerging technologies were on the agenda. The delegation also visited the DHL Innovation Center to gain insights into future logistics trends.
From Atlanta to Savannah: Site visits and strategic exchanges
After ProMat, the delegation travelled to Atlanta for a series of company visits and a seminar hosted by the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA). The final leg of the journey led the group to Savannah, where participants enjoyed a guided tour of the Port of Savannah—one of the most important export hubs in the U.S.—followed by a roundtable session co-hosted with the World Trade Center Savannah. The trip concluded with a visit to Gulfstream’s state-of-the-art facility.
“It was an insightful member trip,” said Remco Buurman, CEO of HIDC. “It was great to witness innovative advancements at ProMat and connect with our network in North America. Despite the current uncertain economic climate, we still see business opportunities for both Dutch and North American companies to work together.”
Key Takeaways from the trip:
- Valuable insights into current developments in robotics and automation for supply chains
- Technological progress was evident, though fewer groundbreaking innovations were introduced at ProMat
- Uncertainty around U.S. tariffs is making long-term investment planning difficult for American companies
- Canadian companies are increasingly looking to Europe for export growth due to these trade uncertainties
The North America mission offered a rich blend of inspiration, knowledge exchange, and practical insights. From witnessing cutting-edge technology to engaging in high-level discussions with key stakeholders, the trip confirmed the ongoing relevance of the Netherlands as a strategic logistics partner and entry point to Europe.
