The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) held their networking event in Pattaya Friday, Sept. 21, at the Amari Tower’s Ice Bar. They invited the British Chamber of Commerce (BCCT) and the Australian Chamber (AustCham) to the event, which was certainly well attended, with one of the ice statues deciding to try jumping for cover, but was unsuccessful!
Executive Director of AmCham, the vivacious Judy Benn, spoke on Pattaya Mail TV of a couple of the latest initiatives for the chamber, including organizing American business industries as a group in Laos, and a similar group in Myanmar. Whether the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC 2015) is successful or otherwise, AmCham has seen an opening for the American Business groups in both countries and is filling that niche.
Cees Cuijpers (left) and Damien Kerneis (right) enjoy the networking evening.
David Nardone, the President and CEO of Hemaraj Land and Development, spoke on the positive growth for his company, emphasizing the auto parts manufacturers in his industrial estates who are exporting their products.
To emphasize the American aspect, the beers which were available included two American beers, as well as the red and white wines, plus tables of finger food overseen by the Amari’s new executive chef, Aussie Leonard Faust.
One famous American company, Caterpiller, was represented by Mike Cai who was seen chatting to Alan Verstein from Siam Gazette. Alan had a piece of string wrapped around his index finger to remind him of a medical check-up he has with Bangkok Hospital Pattaya next month.
Paul Wilkinson from AustCham was seen drumming up support for the AustCham backed golf tournament being run by the Women With a Mission, with Rosanne Diamente and Bronwyn Carey on hand to provide details. With Women With a Mission currently looking after 500 children in Mae Sot, fundraisers are important. Another Aussie was Scott Finsten, the Harbor Master at Ocean Marina, and the resident tooth fairy Stuart Saunders was also in attendance.
From the BCCT, Chairman Simon Landy and Executive Director Greg Watkins both were present, and as always both were enjoying themselves. Regulars included Pattaya resident ‘dog man’ Joe Cox, running the Defense International Security Services, John Hamilton (Waste Management Siam), Simon Matthews (Manpower) and Peter Mewes from Phnom Penh HBS Law.
The Amari also used the event to introduce three of their beautiful sales staff Sirikorn, Patcharin and “JoJo”.
It was a most convivial meeting, and everyone who attended felt that they had made important business and social contacts.
The next meeting will be publicized in the Pattaya Mail.
(L to R) Simon Landy (Executive Chairman C.I.T. Property Consultants Co., Ltd.), Mark Butters (Director RSM Thailand), and Peter Mewes (Senior Legal Advisor HBS Law), each with a different taste in liquids.
(L to R) Paul Marks (Communications Director The American School of Bangkok), Ramesh Ramanathan (Visteon (Thailand) Limited), and Vincent Pourre (Corporate Account Manager Efficient English Services Ltd.) automatically communicate efficiently in English.
(L to R) Bronwyn Carey, Paul Stoddost, Joe Peotto, and Rosanne Diamente (Women with a Mission) discuss the upcoming charity golf tournament.
Judy Benn (Executive Director of AmCham) and David R. Nardone (president & CEO of Hemaraj Land and Development PCL) take a little respite from the rat race.
(L to R) Paul Strachan, Pratheep (Peter) Malhotra (MD of the Pattaya Mail Media Group), Tony Malhotra (Deputy Managing Director Pattaya Mail Publishing Co., Ltd.), and Richard Margo (Resident Manager Amari Orchid Pattaya) all look quite dapper.
Karnsinee Lertrattanasan and Irena De Ribas brighten the night with their smiles.
Tony Malhotra (Deputy MD Pattaya Mail) and Richard Margo (RM Amari Orchid Pattaya) discuss the taste of the American Coors Light beer.
