AustCham Shanghai’s newly elected Board of Directors is shaping a dynamic new agenda focusing on maximising membership benefits and involvement, reports David Keir, the new AustCham Shanghai Chair.

Following an intensive strategy weekend in August, AustCham Shanghai’s Board of Directors defined the strategic objectives for the Chamber over the coming year. Three key priorities were identified for action.

1. Grow and retain the membership;
2. Work towards the creation of a Greater China Chamber; and
3. Build an overarching, interactive communications platform for members.

Grow and retain the membership

The Chamber’s membership is its reason for existence. Just as Shanghai is growing and diversifying at a rapid rate, so also is our membership base. We need to need to understand our member’s needs better, how their needs are changing, and to build service provision around that better understanding. We also need to understand the needs of potential future members better – Australian companies located in the Yangtze River Delta region. 

Over the coming months the Chamber will work to better understand our members’ needs through a focused research effort, including focus groups and other approaches. 
This research will also help to ensure that we deliver relevant programs and activities tailored to the specific needs of the membership.

Create a One China Chamber

The achievement of a unified Greater China Chamber of Commerce will enable better services and recognition for all AustCham members. An MOU was signed by AustCham Shanghai and other China based AustChams in April this year that laid out a roadmap towards the achievement of a Greater China AustCham.

A single AustCham platform in China will increase service offerings to members on a national scale and provide scope for a single Australian voice on policy issues affecting members.  Members will be able to take advantage of reciprocal membership rights, a national infrastructure and single high standard image. 

Our Board considers this objective to be one of our most important goals in the coming year. We have been encouraged that our views in this respect are shared by the AustChams in Beijing, Hong Kong and Macau and other parts of China. 

* Greater China AustCham Event at the Australian Pavilion with Deb Biber & Clement Chan (AustCham Hong Kong & Macau), David Olsson and Dalwyn Bateson (AustCham Beijing) and David Keir and Kim Gilliland (AustCham Shanghai).

Build an overarching, interactive communications platform

We acknowledge that we need to communicate with our members better. Communication is critical to the success of the Chamber and we are committed to researching and effectively utilising the latest developments in communications, methods and strategies. A key priority for the coming year is to increase efficiency and relevance of day-to-day communication. Even more importantly, we need to listen to membership needs, as noted above in the membership section.  

To assist AustCham Shanghai to achieve its strategic objectives, the following Board Portfolios have been assigned for 2010-2011:

Membership – Bob Moore
One China AustCham – Andrew Whitford
Communication – Darren Lewis
Finance – Vivienne Yu
Events – Colette Chester
Industry Committees – Stephen White
Human Resources – Peter Arkell
Community Outreach – Tim Lyons
Governance – Seamus Cornelius

The Great Australian Ball XV 2010

Themed ‘The Wonderful World of OZ’ this year’s annual community outreach Gala fundraiser was yet another night of myth and magic with an Australian flair proving it is true when they say –there’s no place like home!

Once again the Great Australian Ball proved itself the highlight of the Australian social calendar in Shanghai with outrageous costumes, dazzling decorations and a night of outstanding entertainment from both Australia and Shanghai.

Guests were treated to night of gourmet food and Australian beer and wine and participated in fundraising activities like the legendary live auction and the Ecco Whack the Witch. Through the overwhelming generosity of our guests over RMB330,000 was raised to go towards the Giving Tree, providing much needed school supplies, clothes and toys to the children of migrant workers in Shanghai.

Thank you to all who attended!

Thank you also to our generous sponsors: TNT, ECCO, BlueScope Steel, David Laris Creates, Kirribilli Pastoral, Triple 8, Chinatown, Santa Fe, Which Property, Just Beer, Liquid Impact and The Wine Republic.

To view more pictures from this event, click here.

Australia China Business Awards 2010

The 18th annual AustCham Westpac Australia-China Business Awards will recognise and celebrate excellence of Australian business with China and local businesses promoting Australian products and services. The ACBA, initiated by AustCham Hong Kong, will be welcomed to Shanghai for the first time on 11 November 2010 with a Gala Awards Ceremony at the Ritz Carlton Pudong. Visit www.austchamchina.com for more details. ■

Aussie Drinks

Visiting Shanghai World Expo 2010?
Don’t miss out on Aussie Drinks Central
Friday nights, everyone welcome.
Venue: Kakadu, 8 Jianguo Zhong Lu near cnr Chongqing Lu

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