Last year when Christopher Smith (BBA ’88) started making headlines as the first Honorary Consul to the Kingdom of Denmark to be based in Macon, people couldn’t help but be mildly curious.
It’s not as far-fetched as it seems. “I think that the Danish culture and the Georgian culture are compatible,” Smith, a Macon attorney, says. “They are hardworking and industrious, but they are laidback and have a sense of humor.”
The position was offered to Smith after he founded the Georgia European Union Summit and made some Danish friends. The GEUS, which he began in 2001, hosted 15 countries last year. “What we do is we invite diplomats from the various countries,” Smith explains. “It’s basically to thank these countries for their tremendous investments.” With 62 percent of foreign investment in Georgia coming from Europe there is much thanks to give, he says.
In September, Smith received the thanks when Secretary of State Karen Handel presented him with a 2007 Governor’s International Award.
As consul, one of Smith’s duties is making sure that Danish citizens have safe harbor in Georgia. Another is to visit Danes who are in Georgia prisons—a duty he is proud to say he has not yet had to perform.
—Alyson Waldrop
photo by Dot Paul
