International Business Relations

Awarding International Achievements

The Charlotte International Cabinet and the Office of the Mayor have hosted the Mayor's International Community Awards (MICA) since 1998. This event honors foreign-owned firms in the Charlotte region for their outstanding contributions to philanthropy. 

MICA also recognizes three individuals or organizations who have displayed strong leadership and contributed to the development of Charlotte's international community. The three categories for these awards are the Richard Vinroot International Achievement Award, the CIC International Entrepreneur Award, and the Global Leader Award. You'll find information about the past winners on our individual award categories page.  

All foreign-owned firms located in the Charlotte Region are eligible for nomination for the Mayor's International Community Awards. You will find more information about what kinds of activities make a company eligible for an award in the awards form. If you have further questions about the criteria for nominating a company, please contact Economic Development.

​MICA 2023

Planning for the 25th Mayor's International Community Awards is underway. If you would like to watch last  year's ceremony, check out the video on the City's YouTube Channel.

We take nominations for MICA year round. Nominations for 2023 will close for consideration on February  23rd. Use the links below if you wish to make a nomination for 2023.

Nomination Information for Individual Awards

Nomination information for Companies

Past Small Company Winners

(1-50 local employees)

DGM MORI, Japan/Germany, 2022 
Salice America Inc., Italy, 2020/21
Kumon, Japan, 2019
Godiva Chocolatier, Turkey, 2018
Ludvig Svensson, Sweden, 2017
Stantec, Canada, 2016
Linet Americas, Czech Republic, 2015
Tresata, India & New Zealand, 2014
BridgehouseLaw, Germany, 2013
Teupen, Germany, 2012 
Pfaff Molds, Germany, 2011
Shred-It, Canada, 2010 
Lufthansa, Germany, 2009  
Evonik Energy Services, Germany, 2008 
Globe Express Services, Lebanon, 2007 
ATOTECH USA , France, 2006
Stork Prints, The Netherlands, 2005
Klingspor Abrasives, Inc., Germany, 2004
Stork Screens America, Inc., The Netherlands, 2003
Celanese Acetate, Germany, 2002 
BSN-JOBST, Germany, 2001
Tesa Tape, Germany, 2000 
Smith and Nephew, Inc., United Kingdom, 1999
Smith and Nephew Casting, United Kingdom, 1998

​Past Medium Company Winners

(51-200 local employees)

VS America, Germany , 2022 
Dassault Systèmes, France, 2020/21
groninger USA, Germany, 2019
Kuehne + Nagel, Germany, 2018 
Okuma American Corporation, Japan, 2017
Chiron America, Germany 2016
LensCrafters, Italy, 2015
Schleich, Germany, 2014
SGL Group - The Carbon Company, Germany, 2013
Max Daetwyler, Switzerland, 2012
Coats, United Kingdom, 2011
Balfour Beaty, United Kingdom, 2010
RBC Bank, Canada, 2009  
Bonsal American, Ireland, 2008
Gerdau Ameristeel, Brazil,  2007          
Getrag Corporation, Germany, 2006
BASF Corporation, Germany, 2005
Transamerica Reinsurance, The Netherlands, 2004
Vermont American , Germany, 2003
BASF, Germany, 2002
Clarke American, United Kingdom, 2001
DyStar, L.P., Germany, 2000
McDevitt Street Bovis, United Kingdom, 1999
Okuma America, Japan, 1998

​Past Large Company Winners

(201+ local employees)

Aplix, France, 2022
Bakkavor, United Kingdom, 2020/21
Scor, France, 2019
Husqvarna Group, Sweden, 2018  
FoodBuy, LLC, United Kingdom, 2017 
Rack Room Shoes, Germany, 2016
Domtar, Canada, 2015
Electrolux, Sweden, 2014
Ingersoll Rand, Ireland, 2013
KPMG, The Netherlands, 2012
Husqvarna, Sweden, 2011
Areva, France, 2010
AbitibiBowater, Canada, 2009
Stantec, Canada, 2008
Axa Equitable, France, 2007                 
Food Lion, Inc., Belgium, 2006
Compass Group, United Kingdom, 2005
Stabilus, Inc., Germany, 2004
Clariant Corporation, Switzerland, 2003
Continental Tire NA, Germany, 2002
AXA Equitable, France, 2001
Food Lion, Inc., Belgium, 2000
Clariant Corporation, Switzerland, 1999
Royal Insurance, United Kingdom, 1998