Corporate Brochure 2017
CONTENTS ABOUT US 1 US-BELGIUM BILATERAL TRADE & INVESTMENT 2 WHAT DO WE DO 4 WHAT OUR MEMBERS SAY 5 REASONS TO JOIN 6 OUR COMMITTEES 8 OUR BOARD 10 THE SECRETARIAT 11 OUR PATRON MEMBERS 12 MEMBERSHIP TYPES & BENEFITS 13
Photo credits: p.4: ©iStockphoto.com/RENGraphic; p. 6: ©iStockphoto.com/OlegAlbinsky
Updated December 2017
ABOUT US
69
YEARS OF SERVING BUSINESS IN BELGIUM
The American Chamber of Commerce in Belgium (AmCham Belgium) is one of the largest and most influential business organizations in the country. Founded in 1948, it has around 500 members who together strive for a more competitive and prosperous Belgium. AmCham Belgium is an independent non-profit organization. In addition to US companies in Belgium, our members include local and other international businesses operating in the country.
Our mission is to improve business and investment opportunities for the US-Belgian business community.
450+
MEMBER COMPANIES
62% REGULAR 27% SUSTAINING 12% PATRON 59% US 34% BELGIUM 7% OTHER 47% LARGE 41% SMALL 12% MEDIUM
AmCham Belgium plays a pivotal role in an evolving business environment by focusing on three main areas of activity: advocacy, networking and knowledge-sharing. The Chamber is the leading voice of US and international companies in the public debate on labor costs, corporate taxation, research & development and innovation, energy, mobility and the skills gap. We provide our large community of business professionals with the opportunity to network with each other - and key policy makers. We also offer our members a platform to learn from each other, share best practices and discuss issues affecting their industry.
1600+ US ENTITIES IN BELGIUM
“AmCham Belgium is an enormously valuable partner for the American business community. Drawing on the expertise and experience of its members and staff, companies can learn about policy and regulatory developments, establish new relationships with counterparts in the private sector and in the Federal and Regional governments, and contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding such important issues as the negotiation of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. AmCham helps navigate the complexities of doing business in this, at times, challenging but always opportunity-rich environment. In doing so, it has helped strengthen, in innumerable ways, the strong and enduring commercial and strategic relationship between our two countries.� - Denise Campbell Bauer, US Ambassador to Belgium (ret.) Corporate Brochure | 1
US-BELGIUM BILATERAL TRADE & INVESTMENT
Belgium was the 8th largest investor in the US in 2012.
160
THOUSAND
BILLION
$89
TOTAL BELGIAN INVESTMENT STOCK IN THE US (2014)
EMPLOYEES OF BELGIAN COMPANIES IN THE US 500 Belgian companies directly
employ more than 160,000 people in the United States.
BELGIAN EXPORTS TO THE US (2014)
The United States is Belgium’s 5th largest export market – and the most important outside of the EU.
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€50
BILLION
BILLION
€26.9
OVER
IN SALES BY BELGIAN COMPANIES IN THE US
The bilateral trade and investment relationship between Belgium and the United States is significant for both partners. In 2014, US companies started 44 of the 198 new foreign investment projects in Belgium, making the US, by far, the largest source of foreign direct investment in Belgium. This investment translates into jobs in the local economy. With more than 140,000 employees, American companies account for 5.4% of private sector employment in Belgium.
$48
The relationship is reciprocal. The US is Belgium’s 5th largest trading partner overall and its most important trading partner outside of the EU. Foreign direct investment of Belgium in the US reached $89 billion in 2014, making Belgium the 8th largest investor in the US.
BILLION
BILLION
€2
INVESTED BY US COMPANIES IN RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT IN BELGIUM EVERY YEAR
TOTAL US INVESTMENT STOCK IN BELGIUM (2014) The US is the largest source of foreign direct investment in Belgium. In 2014, 44 of 198 (22%) new FDI projects in Belgium came from the US.
BILLION
€40.7 OVER
US EXPORTS TO BELGIUM (2014)
The United States is Belgium’s 4th largest source of imports – and the most important outside of the EU.
EMPLOYEES OF US COMPANIES IN BELGIUM
900 US companies directly employ more than 140,000 people in Belgium. In 2013, US investments accounted for 31% of the jobs created by FDI projects.
BILLION
THOUSAND
140 €100 OVER
IN ANNUAL SALES FOR US COMPANIES BASED IN BELGIUM
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WHAT DO WE DO AmCham Belgium’s services are geared toward helping members do more business in Belgium. We focus on the following three activity areas:
ADVOCACY
The Chamber represents the interests and concerns of our members at all levels of government through: Publications
Events
Committees
• Priorities for a Prosperous Belgium
• Annual New Year reception with Belgian officials
• Government Relations Forum
• Importance of US Companies in Belgium • Business Barometer • Position papers
• Issue-oriented conferences and seminars
• Human Resources Committee • Innovative Healthcare Committee • Legal & Taxation Committee
• Social media & blog posts
• Various policy taskforces
NETWORKING
We provide opportunities to establish contacts and exchange views with leading business and government figures. Special events
Series of events
Committee events
• Annual Dinner with cabinet-level government minister
• CEO luncheons and dinners
• Antwerp Chapter events
• Gala Dinner with US Ambassador
• Company showcase events
• Young Professionals Networking Nights
• Future Trends Reception
KNOWLEDGE-SHARING
We offer relevant information to the business and government communities through: Publications
Events
Programs
• AmCham Connect
• Company visits
• AmCham Yearbook
• Topical conferences and workshops
• Young Professionals Mentorship Program
• Social media, blog posts & website 4 | Corporate Brochure
• Young Professionals @ Noon luncheons
WHAT OUR MEMBERS SAY 3M has been a Patron Member and continued supporter of AmCham Belgium since 1963 and, as a major American corporation, the need to stay in contact with other US companies operating within Belgium is invaluable. AmCham Belgium has always been in front with current situations affecting business stability in Belgium. AmCham Belgium’s yearly events also offer us the added opportunity to network and discuss common areas within business. Patrick Rogiers, Managing Director Benelux, 3M Baker & McKenzie has been a Patron Member of AmCham Belgium for many years. The Chamber provides us with great networking possibilities and offers us valuable expertise and business opportunities in a number of fields. AmCham Belgium also enables us to meet decision-makers, top managers and colleagues in order to discuss issues, develop new ideas and take positions which are important for our clients and the US business community in Belgium. Alain Huyghe, Partner, Baker & McKenzie With more than 3,000 employees, Coca-Cola Enterprises Belgium actively promotes local integration. Therefore, we have been an active member of AmCham Belgium since 1991 and consider it an important element of our corporate citizenship. AmCham works tirelessly to keep the issues that are important to the business community in front of the decision-makers and the international community in Belgium. Jean Eylenbosch, Vice President European Government Relations, Coca-Cola European Partners AmCham Belgium plays an essential role in Belgium’s dynamic, evolving business environment and is an invaluable partner in Deloitte’s business network. As a firm that prides itself in promoting business in Belgium, we share many values and aspirations with AmCham Belgium. Our long-standing relationship enables us to further strengthen our network and explore common areas of business with key decision-makers in the community. Rik Vanpeteghem, Regional Managing Director EMEA, Deloitte Pfizer has been a member of AmCham Beligum from since it became active in Belgium in 1952. Over all these years, AmCham Belgium has demonstrated a unique and coherent approach advocating the needs of US companies in Belgium towards policy influencers and decision makers. Its ‘cross-sectorial’ approach also creates learning and networking opportunities not to be found elsewhere. Karel Van De Sompel, Country Manager & Managing Director , Pfizer Corporate Brochure | 5
REASONS TO JOIN AmCham Belgium can help you develop your business in various ways:
GAIN ACCESS • Joining AmCham Belgium will instantly allow you to reach out to 1,600 US companies in Belgium and to international member companies. • Mingle with movers and shakers in the US-Belgian business community: Network with executives of leading companies in Belgium at our networking receptions. • Get access to business and government leaders: Meet Belgian political decision-makers, federal and regional ministers and US government officials at AmCham Belgium’s events.
JOIN FORCES TO REACH THE GOVERNMENT • Get involved in our policy committees and work to shape government policies. • Meet with government officials to discuss issues that are important to your business. • Make your concerns and recommendations heard through our publications.
PROFILE YOUR COMPANY • Speak at one of our events: Share your insights and bring interesting topics to the table. • Contribute articles to AmCham Connect, our monthly newsletter: Writing an article is an excellent opportunity to profile your company and share your expertise with fellow business professionals. • Increase your attractiveness as an employer: Give your employees the opportunity to access all the benefits we offer to our members and improve your branding towards new talent. • Stay up-to-date: Attend our content-driven luncheons and seminars with guest speakers on Belgian and US business topics.
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INCREASE YOUR VISIBILITY • Online: Logos of our Group Patron and Patron members are displayed on our website. • In publications: Logos of our Group Patron and Patron members are displayed in the AmCham Yearbook, and all member companies are clearly indicated. • Through advertising: We provide numerous opportunities to enhance the visibility of your company by advertising on our website, in our monthly newsletter AmCham Connect, in our AmCham Yearbook or in the Annual and Gala Dinner booklets. • Through Member-to-Member offers: You can offer a special discount on your products or services to other members of the Chamber. Your Member-to-Member (M2M) offer will be included in a monthly email and posted in our exclusive LinkedIn group. • By organizing events: Organizing an event with us is a member-only benefit providing high visibility. You can propose a topic and a speaker and host the event and AmCham Belgium takes care of the logistics and promotion. • Through social media: Share your news with us and we will share it with all our members.
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OUR COMMITTEES AmCham Belgium’s most effective advocacy tool is its extensive committee network. Through our committees, you can help us get your voice heard by political decision-makers and share knowledge with fellow professionals. Once your company becomes an AmCham Belgium member, your employees can take an active role in our advocacy initiatives, local outreach efforts, communications and membership strategies by joining a committee. Run by volunteers who donate their time and expertise to the Chamber, these committees create a strong and unified voice to promote business in Belgium.
ANTWERP CHAPTER STEERING GROUP
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS COMMITTEE
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS GOVERNMENT RELATIONS FORUM
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
LEGAL & TAXATION COMMITTEE
INNOVATIVE HEALTHCARE COMMITTEE
To find out more about each Committee, please contact the Committee Liaisons listed on our website, www.amcham.be 8 | Corporate Brochure
ANTWERP CHAPTER STEERING GROUP
LEGAL & TAXATION COMMITTEE
The Antwerp Chapter’s aim is to improve business and investment opportunities for the large US-Belgian business community in the Antwerp region and develop an active program of local/regional activities in this region.
The Legal and Taxation Committee monitors significant tax and legal developments in Belgium and attempts to influence legislative and administrative decisions in such fashion as to promote the best interests of the American and international business community in Belgium. Subcommittees and Taskforces: BEPS Taskforce • Corporate Tax Subcommittee • Expatriate Tax Regime Taskforce • Fairness Tax Taskforce • Indirect Tax Taskforce • Legal Subcommittee • NID Taskforce • R&D and Innovation Taskforce • Regional Taxes Taskforce • TTIP Taskforce
chair
Joost Van Roost, ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical
vice-chair
Joris Bulteel, Whyte Corporate Affairs
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE The Communications Committee aims to maintain, protect and promote AmCham Belgium’s brand and visibility, so that the Chamber continues to be the authoritative voice of businesses in Belgium. chair
Koen Peeters, CS&A International
vice-chairs
Kara Condon, FTI Consulting
Thierry Habotte, Wallonia Export & Investment Agency
chair
Luc Dhont, Procter & Gamble Distribution Co. (Europe)
vice-chairs
Werner Heyvaert, Jones Day
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE The Membership Committee’s overall mission is to help identify new membership services and benefits, to recruit and retain members for AmCham Belgium. chair
Dave Deruytter, ING Belgium
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS FORUM
vice-chairs
Sandrine Agie, Whyte Corporate Affairs
The Government Relations Forum engages in the regular exchange of viewpoints and constructive dialogue between Belgium-based international companies and federal and regional policymakers. The Forum is open to Patron members only.
Matteo Pederzoli, MCI Benelux
chair
Geert Waelkens, ING Belgium NV/SA
vice-chair
Anneliese Daelemans, ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical
HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE The Human Resources Committee promotes a human resources environment in Belgium which attracts and supports American business and its employees and contributes to their success. Subcommittees and Taskforces: Harmonized Status Taskforce • Immigration Taskforce • Labor Cost Taskforce • Pensions Taskforce chair
David Webber, Odgers Berndtson
vice-chair
Stefan Nerinckx, Fieldfisher
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE The Committee is responsible for presenting candidates to join the Board of Directors for election to the membership at the Annual General Meeting. It also proposes the Officers for election to the Board. chair
Joost Maes, Egon Zehnder
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS COMMITTEE The Young Professionals Committee’s role is to stimulate and optimize the dialogue between the young professionals (~1835) of the American/Belgian business community in Belgium. chair
Eléonore Mullier, Steptoe & Johnson LLP
vice-chairs
Steven Peeters, Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick
Astrid Ruts, Cargill NV
INNOVATIVE HEALTHCARE COMMITTEE The IHC is a reliable and effective partner to all healthcare stakeholders, while always striving for solutions empowering the individual, and adding a strategic and cross-industry perspective to healthcare in Belgium. chair
Kris Schellens, Biogen Belgium
vice-chair
Joan Van Loon, IBM
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OUR BOARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Howard Liebman, President
Laura Ahto, CEO, The Bank of New York Mellon NV/SA
Roland Teixeira de Mattos, Vice-President
Philip Alliet, CEO Belux, Aon Belgium BVBA/SPRL
Philip Alliet, Vice-President
Michael Beal, General Manager Belux, Microsoft NV/SA
John Largent, Treasurer Paul Van Hooghten, Secretary Marina Fernhout-Mollemans, Member Jacques Platieau, Member
Frank Aranzana, Operating Partner, Advent Eddy Bonne, Managing Partner, Romulus NV/SA Marcel Claes, Chief Executive, AmCham Belgium Tom Declercq, Managing Partner Tax and Legal, Deloitte Belgium Wim Eraly, Senior General Manager, KBC Group NV/SA Jean Eylenbosch, Vice President European Government Relations, Coca-ColaEuropean Partners
HONORARY DIRECTORS Matthew Lussenhop, Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy to Belgium Earle D. Litzenberger, Deputy Chief of Mission, US Mission to NATO Adam Shub, Deputy Chief of Mission, US Mission to the EU
Marina Fernhout-Mollemans, Managing Director Benelux, 3M Belgium Yvan Jansen, Partner and Managing Director Belgium-Luxembur, A.T. Kearney Jeffrey Paul Johnson, Vice-President and General Manager Europe, Graco Roger Kearns, Member of the Executive Committee, Solvay NV/SA Philippe Lacroix, General Manager, Manpower Belgium John Largent, Chairman, Magic Monkey Gottfried Leibbrandt, CEO, SWIFT Howard Liebman, Partner, Jones Day Joost Maes, Managing Partner, Egon Zehnder Annick Meerschman, Managing Director, Dow Corning Jacques Platieau, Vice-President, Country General Manager IBM Belgium Luxembourg, IBM Belgium BVBA/SPRL John Porter, CEO & General Manager, Telenet Axel Smits, Chairman and Senior Partner PwC Belgium, PwC Belgium Roland Teixeira de Mattos, CEO GE Benelux, GE - General Electric Pascale Van Damme, Managing Director Belux, Dell Cis Van Doninck, Vice-President Finance Food Ingredients & Systems/ General, Manager Belgium, Cargill Europe Paul Van Hooghten, Head of Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions, Linklaters LLP
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THE SECRETARIAT OUR SECRETARIAT Marcel Claes, Chief Executive mclaes@amcham.be Daniel Pyster, External Affairs Director dpyster@amcham.be Sue Wheeler, Policy, Finance & Administration Director swheeler@amcham.be
Marcel Claes
Daniel Pyster
Corianne Oosterbaan, Public Affairs Assistant coosterbaan@amcham.be Dawn Smith, Events Manager dsmith@amcham.be Menouch Solimani, Office Manager msolimani@amcham.be
Sue Wheeler
Corianne Oosterbaan
Christophe Van Elewyck, Policy Coordinator cvanelewyck@amcham.be Nefeli Van Hege, Communications & Marketing Manager nvanhege@amcham.be Johanna Vijverman, Policy Officer jvijverman@amcham.be Matthieu Woodhouse, Membership & Business Development Coordinator mwoodhouse@amcham.be
Dawn Smith
Christophe Van Elewyck
HONORARY MEMBERS michele Dastin-Van Rijn, Political-Economic Affairs Counselor, US Embassy
Nefeli Van Hege
Johanna Vijverman
Matthieu Woodhouse
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OUR PATRON MEMBERS GROUP PATRON MEMBERS
PATRON MEMBERS
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MEMBERSHIP TYPES & BENEFITS PATRON
• Access to Innovative Healthcare Committee • Exclusive Patron and Sustaining
€980*
“
• Access to global AmCham network • Attend events at member price • Free attendance at networking receptions • Company listed in AmCham Yearbook • Free copy of AmCham Yearbook • Access to AmCham Belgium Committees • Member-to-Member offer program
“
REGULAR1
events • Co-organize events with AmCham Belgium • Opportunity to provide testimonials in our policy publications • Extra visibility in the AmCham Yearbook
“
SUSTAINING
• Exclusive Patron-only events • Exclusive CEO-only events • Access to the Government Relations Forum • 3 free copies of the AmCham Yearbook • Company logo in AmCham Yearbook and on AmCham Belgium homepage • 50% discount on full page ads in the AmCham Yearbook
€2,270*
€6,630*
GROUP PATRON
Group Patron membership offers an umbrella package to include all entities of the same parent company located in Belgium. One of the entities will have Group Patron status while all other Belgian entities in the company will be Group Members and enjoy all the benefits of a Regular member.
€7,910*
To find our more information about membership options and benefits, contact our Membership Coordinator, Matthieu Woodhouse, at mwoodhouse@amcham.be. *Membership rates applicable for 2018 for 12 months. Prices exclude VAT. 1 Only for entities with less than 100 employees.
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OUR DIAMOND SPONSORS
OUR GOLD SPONSORS 3M • Alpha Card • Brussels Investment Export Agency • Donaldson • EY • ExxonMobil • Flanders Investment & Trade • Isabel Group • KPMG • Management Centre Europe • Mastercard • McKinsey & Company • Pfizer • Port of Antwerp • Wallonia Export & Investment Agency
Tel. +32 (0)2 513 67 70 | Fax +32(0)2 513 35 90 info@amcham.be | www.amcham.be
@AmChamBE
facebook.com/AmChamBelgium
linkedin.com/company/amcham-belgium
Managing Editor (e.r./v.u.): Daniel Pyster
rue du Trône 60/6 Troonstraat - 1050 Brussels