Networking is alive and kicking in Pattaya and is an integral part of expanding local businesses.
On Friday the 10th of May, the Soul Lounge of the Hard Rock Hotel was the venue for the combined chambers of commerce monthly networking event.
The chambers that are represented are the British (BCCT), the Australian (AustCham) and the Americans (AmCham).
The soul lounge is a pretty good venue for networking, as it is easy to move around in, or to find a place to sit and let the networkers come to you. As ever, soft drinks, wine and beer were in constant circulation and outside on the terrace a variety of finger foods were on offer.
The chairman of the Eastern Seaboard for the BCCT introduced key representatives from the numerous sponsors for the event, and started with John Collingbourne.
Pichada Rajavechpisal (left), the customer relations manager from Asian Tigers Mobility, joins the other sponsors (left to right) MRI Network MD Mark Hamill-Stewart, Kevin Fisher from Legacy of Legends, John Collingbourne from Pattaya Property Auctions and the chairman for the Eastern Seaboard of the BCCT Joe Barker Bennet.
John addressed the audience in his familiar Welsh brogue that he runs a highly successful weekly auction in Pattaya, selling everything from watches to antiques, motorbikes, cars and speedboats, but was here at the joint chambers to promote his new venture, which is Pattaya Property Auctions.
He explained that there was a niche in the real estate market for developers wanting to offload some prime but forgotten units, and that the first auction scheduled for June the 16th at the Holiday Inn has condos from the likes of Matrix, Nova Group, Global Top Group and Powerhouse. John went on to say that this would give buyers a great choice of condos, in different areas, and that the auction also had a number of private sales listing townhouses, houses, condos and even land. More details can be found at www.pattaya propertyauctions.com.
Next to be introduced was Mark Hamill-Stewart who is the managing director of MRI Network. Mark explained that MRI is a worldwide recruitment company that acts as a resource for finding and placing top-level and mid-level management within companies. Currently MRI has their office in Bangkok, and decided to sponsor the joint chambers as they have seen the significant changes in the Eastern Seaboard over the last few years and are keen to raise their company profile within the business community and beyond. To find out more about MRI go to their website: www.mrinetwork.com
From property and employment, Joe next introduced Pichada Rajavechpisal, the customer relations manager from Asian Tigers Mobility. This company has been in business for over forty years and deals with the business of moving people and their possessions around the globe. They pack and ship personal items, source accommodation for their clients and assist with the settling in for families which would also include introducing them to local schools. Their website is www.asiantigers-thailand.com.
Next to take the microphone was Kevin Fisher, the CEO of CEA Logistics, but he was here under the guise of Legacy of the Legends. This is a new company whose aim is to create high class events utilizing famous names from the world of sport.
The first of these events will bring former Manchester United players Clayton Blackmore, Denis Irwin, Lee Sharpe and Andy Cole to Bangkok & Pattaya.
This will feature gala dinners at the Plaza Athanee in Bangkok and the Centara Grande Mirage & Spa in Pattaya, where guests will be treated to a five course meal, world class entertainment and of course a chance to meet these four sporting heroes.
Golf days followed by dinner will also take place at Riverdale Golf course in Bangkok and Phoenix golf course in Pattaya. For more details go to: www.legacyoflegends.org.
The last sponsor was the venue and unfortunately no one was on hand from the Hard Rock to make a short speech.
The event was not as well attended as some may have hoped, but this meant that those who were there were able to have in depth conversations learning about other businesses and in the meantime promoting their own.
Details of the next joint chambers event will be published in the Pattaya Mail.
The Joint Chambers event combined networking with a splash of socializing for the many attendees – a perfect way to round off the week.
