AmCham Completes Another Solid Year

Chang was only one of a host of outstanding speakers that AmCham members and guests had the privilege of hearing during 2007. Both of Taiwan’s 2008 presidential candidates – Frank Hsieh of the Democratic Progressive Party and Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang (in Ma’s case a joint event with three other chambers) – presented their platforms for economic development. Other high-powered speakers during the year included Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin, Taoyuan County Magistrate Eric Liluan Chu, Financial Supervisory Commission Chairman Hu Sheng-cheng, Taiwan Stock Exchange Chairman Wu Rong-I, and Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. Chairperson Nita Ing.

In all, the Chamber matched its 2006 performance of putting on more than 500 events of various kinds in the course of the year. Besides breakfast or luncheon meetings with speakers, these include workshops, seminars, working sessions by the 22 different Chamber committees, meetings with Taiwan government officials or visiting U.S. dignitaries, and after-hours programs for relaxation and networking. Tours were also organized during 2007 to the Central Taiwan Science Park in Taichung (with a lunch with Taichung Mayor Jason Hu) and to industrial, logistics, and infrastructure facilities in Taoyuan County (with a lunch with Magistrate Eric Chu).

The 2007 versions of what the Chamber calls its “Signature Events” were also particularly successful. A record number of 500 people attended the Hsieh Nien Fan annual banquet in March, where President Chen Shui-bian delivered the keynote speech for the seventh year in a row and AmCham expressed its thanks to some 150 guests from among government officials and local business leaders. The American Ball, held in conjunction with the American Institute in Taiwan in November, was also filled to capacity. The high-energy, fun-filled evening was built around an elegant New York circa 1960 “black and white” theme.

In April, courtesy of Christopher Fay of Saatchi & Saatchi, AmCham was host to the fifth annual “Best Ads Night,” a showing of the award-winning international TV commercials from the international festival in Cannes. The September anniversary reception, marking the 56th year since AmCham’s founding, was held at the historic National Taiwan Museum in the 228 Peace Park.

“Our members have really appreciated the wide range of activities we have to offer,” says Brian Asmus, the Chamber’s Director of Membership and Events. “It provides them with valuable knowledge and information to use in their businesses, plus these are great social occasions to build up one’s network of contacts.”

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