The AustCham Shanghai Annual General Meeting in June was a key opportunity to celebrate our progress over the last year and make key decisions on the future of our organization, writes AustCham Shanghai Chairman, David Keir.
Over 100 attendees enjoyed the new CB Richard Ellis office facilities and kind hospitality at this year’s AGM which showcased AustCham Shanghai’s strategic focus and achievements towards delivering greater value to a growing membership base. Each of last year’s Board presented their portfolio’s accomplishment to the membership as a demonstration of the direct accountability the Board has to its members.
Members elected seven new Board Directors and carried the resolution to join AustCham Beijing and Hong Kong offices in forming AustCham Greater China. Congratulations to Kim Gilliland, Peter Kinnane, Dr Ben Lyons, Bob Moore, David Rosenthal and Michael Wadley who, along with myself, were elected as Board Directors for the 2011-2013 term.
These dynamic, highly-skilled people with key China experience join Peter Arkell, Andrew Whitford and Tim Lyons in voluntarily driving the Chamber’s strategy and membership engagement. Congratulations to Tim Lyons, who was appointed Vice Chair for the 2011-2012 term. Tim has worked tirelessly for the Chamber in recent years, and his appointment was well earned.
As a Board, we are particularly pleased that AustCham Shanghai members overwhelmingly supported the AustCham Greater China initiative with our compatriot offices in Beijing and Hong Kong.
We have been an enthusiastic driver towards achieving a more united and cohesive AustCham for Greater China, which will significantly enhance both the services we can provide to members, and the broader Australia-China business relationship. After a number of years of discussion, the united AustCham Greater China is soon to become a reality.
I congratulate Andrew Whitford, General Manager and Head of Greater China, Westpac Banking Corporation, and Bob Moore, President of BlueScope Steel Greater China for their appointment to represent Shanghai members and Australian business on the AustCham Greater China Board.
We welcome Spaceframe Construction online australian pokies & Engineering which has come on board as our 12th Platinum Member for 2011/12, joining Platinum Members as of 30 June ANZ, Blake Dawson, BlueScope Steel, Cathay Pacific, Commonwealth Bank, ManageChina, National Australian Bank, Rio Tinto, Westpac, Which Property and TNT Express Worldwide. Thank you to our 379 corporate, associate and individual members for your continued support.
With the right team, vigour and active members focused on deriving maximum opportunities presented within the Chamber, I firmly believe we are now entering a period of more sustained growth and outreach. We will soon see our membership pass beyond 400 for the first time. This year will be about executing on our core strategies around membership satisfaction, communicating better with members and achieving the united AustCham Greater China.
Key highlights in May and June include Australian Trade Minister the Hon. Dr Craig Emerson MP launching the AustCham Joint Financial Services Working Group’s Issues Paper on the Australian financial services business in China, which resulted in widespread media coverage with more than 90 media reports generated across the Asia Pacific, Europe and America.
Thank you to Andy Rothman, renowned China Macro Strategist; Kevin Wale, President and Managing Director General Motors China Group and Bob Moore, President of BlueScope Steel Greater China for speaking at keynote Economist Series and Executive Boardroom Series events.
As we enter the second half of 2011, we will continue to focus on strengthening ties between our members and presenting first-class events with China-centric market intelligence and know-how.
For those travelling to and from Australia, touch base when you’re in Shanghai, and to those within Greater China, we look forward to deepening our relationship. ■
January-June 2011 Fast Facts
Events held: 101
Guest speakers hosted: 86
Membership numbers increase: 27
Website hits: 131,723 (37% increase in website hits in May 2011 compared to May 2010)
Save-the-Dates:
Aussie Drinks Central: Every Friday night, 6-9.30pm: ‘Sugar’ bar, 6th Floor, 35 South Shaanxi Road (Near Chang Le Road), Shanghai
Great Australian Ball XVI: ‘The Great Southern Land – A Night Under the Australian Sky’, Saturday, September 17.
AustCham Westpac Australia-China Business Awards 2011: October 31, 2011 (Nominations now open, close September 1)
Visit AustCham Shanghai for daily updates: www.austchamshanghai.com
