The American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), in collaboration with the British Chamber (BCCT), the Australian (AustCham), Belu-Thai, the German (GTCC) and South African (SATCC) hosted a Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Networking Evening which was held in the Holiday Inn.
The venue was simply superb, called the ‘workshop’, which has several meeting rooms, a relaxing area and an 80 seat auditorium. Holiday Inn GM Kate Gerits had reason to look as pleased as she did, though Kate does seem to enjoy her post and her twin tower hotel property. In an exclusive interview on PMTV she said that her staff had their own ideas on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), helping young children who had been abused or trafficked, with many of her staff purchasing items from their own accounts as they believed so much in the CSR concept.
Stuart Baker, consultant of Thailand Insurance Service and Mark Butters, director of RSM Advisory Thailand Ltd.
David Nardone, the president of Hemaraj as well as the AMCHAM gave an uplifting interview, saying that whilst the rate of growth was not as high as had been previously, it was still never the less a growing market, citing the increase in auto parts production, with now Thailand supplying Japan, rather than the other way round.
At functions such as these, the success or otherwise can hinge on the standard of food supplied, and the Holiday Inn did not disappoint. David Nardone mentioning (with a smile) that when Hemaraj is involved, the food is always good.
Carl Duggan, general manager of Centara Grand Pratamnak Resort Pattaya, and Stu Lloyd, chief hothead & consultant of Hot Heads Innovation.
Assisting David in PR work was Hemaraj’s Siyaphas Chantachiroj (Director of Corporate Marketing) and her assistant. Other guests that evening involved with PR included Thanawan Phureewattana from the Amari (having jumped the fence between the two properties).
Chris Thatcher and Greg Watkins were their usual affable selves, as was Scott Finsten, the Harbor Master at Ocean Marina seen chatting to BCCT President Simon (in a shirt covered in roses) Matthews (Manpower) and RSM’s Mark Butters, who knows more about rock groups than the rest of the BCCT put together – an amazing font of knowledge!
Carl Sellick, regional managing director of Lucy Electric, and John Stevens.
The Automotive Focus Group (AFG) was represented by its members George Strampp, Armin Walter, and President Frank Holzer.
Mark Bowling (Colliers International) and Graham Macdonald (MBMG and SACC) enjoyed the event, as did Jimmy Howard, who enjoys everything!
A newcomer was Ann Peenen, the Executive Director of the Belgian-Luxembourg chamber with old hand fellow Belgian Alain Deurwaerder (CEA and the Brain Tank) and Natthaporn Kalavantavanit from World Class Car Rentals. Another regular was Josh Kramlick from Weber Ultrasonics and Janya Ratanaliam from Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.
A most pleasant evening, very conducive to ‘card swapping’.
Scott Finsten, harbour master at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, and Josh D. Kramlick, business development manager of Weber Ultrasonics Weld & Cut GmbH.
Mark Bowling, Associate Director, Sales & Leasing of C.I.T. Property Consultants, David R. Nardone, president and CEO of Hemaraj Land and Development, Rosanne Diamente from WWM, and Peter Malhotra, managing director of the Pattaya Mail Media Group.
Rob Scarr, Business Development Manager of the Securitas Thailand Co., Ltd., Kate Gerits, General Manager of Holiday Inn Pattaya, and PMTV presenter Paul Strachan.
David R. Nardone, president and CEO of Hemaraj Land and Development, Irene Schuermann from BMW Thailand, and Jeffery Gaudiano, Managing Director of BMW Thailand
Greg Watkins, Executive Director of the BCCT, Judy Benn, Executive Director of AmCham Graham Macdonald, president of the SATCC and Karen Hochhauser, business development manager of APM Group.
Sukhumnanda Sukudom, assistant director of sales Holiday Inn Pattaya, Dr. Iain Corness, Siyaphas Chantachairoj, director-corporate marketing & residential customer development of Hemaraj Land and Development, and Kanokrak Rerksopist, assistant manager residential Holiday Inn Pattaya.
Sukhumnanda Sukudom, assistant director of sales Holiday Inn Pattaya, Wallapha Sawasdikool, international marketing executive of BHP, Janya Rattanaliam, Head of the BHP International Marketing (Domestic) Department, and Kamolphop, sales manager of the Nova Platinum Hotel.
Michael Berger, general manager of Antares Group, Simon Matthews, Country Manager of Manpower Group Thailand, David R. Nardone, president and CEO of Hemaraj Land and Development, Kate Gerits, General Manager of Holiday Inn Pattaya, Paul Wilkinson from Cooper International Engineering and Services (CIES), Ann Poenen, executive director of Belgian-Luxembourg Thai Chamber of Commerce, Vice President of the Belgian-Luxembourg/Thai Chamber of Commerce, and Graham Macdonald, president of the SATCC.
Richard Jackson, general manager of RLC Recruitment Co., Ltd., and Simon Shale.
Ray Cristhwaite, general manager of Precision Springs, and Preeprem Malasitt, director, IE training center & new project of Hemaraj Land and Development.
Marc Absillis, plant manager of Electrolux, and Albert Al Valentine, managing director of MJJ Enterprises Ltd.
Ben Davis Hughes, Angie Turton, Development & Administration Manager at Coastal Real Estate Pattaya and Peter Malhotra, managing director of the Pattaya Mail Media Group.
