English: U.S. Ambassador Scott Brown made his first trip to Southland. Welcomed to #Invercargill by Nigel Skelt manager of ILT Stadium Southland and Sarah Dowie MP, U.S. Ambassador Brown had a jam-packed schedule.

First it was off to the world-class ILT Stadium Southland/SIT Velodrome. The Ambassador had the privilege to meet up with the Invercargill Verdon College track cycling team and then ride the flying 200 on the ILT Velodrome with Corbin Strong - a member of NZ pursuit team who recently won at the World Junior Track Cycling Champs.

Then it was off to meet Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt for lunch at Meccaspresso, joined by MP Sarah Dowie. Great food and great to chat about shared U.S. - NZ interests.

Venture Southland was next, where the Ambassador learned the work they do in conjunction with Creative HQ in Wellington to help Kiwi startups invest in the U.S. Thanks to Venture Southland for hosting and showcasing your work.

In the evening the Invercargill Licensing Trust (ILT) hosting the Ambassador to launch a U.S. craft beer into New Zealand. Great work by the Foreign Agricultural Service to get this program underway.

Next was a tour of the Bill Richardson Transport World. Thank you to Jocelyn and Scott O'Donnell for showing the Ambassador around! Pictured in front of a 🇺🇸 1940 Dodge RX70, 1 of 75 built for Texaco between 1939-40. Bill finished restoring it back in 1996.

Then it was off to meet Neil McAra and Mark O'Connor from the Southland Chamber Of Commerce. It's great to see regional New Zealand prospering and keen to trade with the U.S.

The Ambassador also met up with List MP Dr Liz Craig in her neighborhood down in Invercargill. Thanks for the meeting.

A trip to the deep South wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Pearl of the South - #Bluff New Zealand, the Gateway to Stewart Island. Great start to Friday at the (nearly) bottom of the world at Stirling Point.

A special thanks to MP Sarah Dowie for helping arrange the visit to the beautiful region of Southland.

1. AmbScottBrown