The Year of the Dragon arrives at a time of great progress and momentum for AustCham Shanghai, and the Australia-China business community in Shanghai more broadly. We greet the new year ahead of our financial and membership targets, with the Chamber in better-than-ever shape.

 

We’re particularly pleased that our aggressive membership target is on track, with an expected 20 percent growth in Corporate Members before the end of the financial year bringing more capabilities and industry specialists to our network. We are on the verge of having 400 Corporate Members for the first time in our history.

 

At the same time we are working more closely than ever with AustCham Beijing and AustCham Hong Kong & Macau. The advent of AustCham Greater China has opened the door to more advocacy leverage, networking and information-sharing opportunities for Australian businesses across Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong.

 

From a Shanghai perspective, our key objective in the coming months will be to secure a formalisation of this linkage, including through our planned legal integration with AustCham Beijing under the single national AustCham license. This will bring greater benefits and convenience to our members.

 

Another key focus for us in the coming 12 months will be to further improve our already very strong Events Program. With so many new members in our expanded Chamber, we are looking to ensure an increasingly professional and positive experience at our events. I urge current and potential members to get more involved in our community by taking part in our extensive 2012 Events Program, engaging with other members, and using our Chamber’s activities to promote their brand where possible.

 

Our about to be launched supercharged monthly Aussie Drinks is an exciting opportunity for members to experience the Australian community in Shanghai. We are re-launching Aussie Drinks as a higher-profile, higher-attendance monthly event for our members. We are expecting big crowds and a wonderful atmosphere at our launch in February. Beyond that, we will be holding Aussie Drinks at a variety of venues over the coming 12 months, including in Pudong to cater for our many loyal members there.

 

Our seven Industry Committees and Working Groups provide a fantastic opportunity to get together with other high-level professionals to share topical market intelligence and discuss issues within members’ sectors. This January, we launched our new Manufacturing Industry Committee with Chair Les Lewis and Vice-Chair Bobby Mitchell.

 

 

Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program continues to be a great success. We are working with a small selection of local charities, and providing them with meaningful resources and assistance to assist them in their endeavours. Our CSR program provides an opportunity for members and their staff to experience direct CSR here in this city we all share. Members may also see it as a useful staff development tool.

 

 

Involvement and action is what the Chamber is all about. At this time of year we also like to encourage those that may be considering a more active involvement in the Chamber to consider possible Board membership. We are some months away from calling for nominations, but myself, Kate Pollitt or any of our board directors and advisors would be happy to introduce Board membership to anyone contemplating standing for election.

 

We also urge our members to take advantage of the constantly-evolving ‘Mates Rates’ discounts and benefits their AustCham Shanghai Membership Card gives access to.

 

 

*Pictured: Guest speakers Simon Baxter and Jules Kwan at AustCham/BritCham Shanghai joint Construction & Property Industry Committee event on the economic impacts of the rising costs of raw materials

 

I welcome all Australians and friends to become increasingly involved in our community this year, and look forward to seeing everyone at our first Aussie Drinks monthly event in February.

 

AustCham Shanghai hosts inaugural ‘Australia Education Fair’

 

AustCham Shanghai’s Education Industry Committee staged the first ‘Australian Education Fair’ to promote Australian university education at Dulwich College Shanghai in November.

 

The Fair concept provides an opportunity for Australian university representatives inShanghai to gain direct contact with high school students and parents considering tertiary studies abroad.

 

The first event was a great success, with 80 students and parents and representatives of six universities cultivating an engaging and friendly atmosphere. Future Fairs will be held throughout the Shanghai region this year. ■

 

 

*Pictured: AustCham Shanghai’s ‘Australian Education Fair’ held at Dulwich College Shanghai in November.

Visit AustCham Shanghai’s website for membership, news, events and activities: www.austchamshanghai.com