18 minute read
Membership, Events and Communications
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GTCC MEMBERS
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NEW MEMBERS EVENTS
Membership
GTCC continued its status of 600+ members network in 2019. There were 615 members including 545 members in Thailand, 57 members in Germany, 7 members in other countries, and 6 honourary members. In 2018, there were 610 members including 534 members in Thailand, 70 members in Germany, and 6 honourary members.
Among 48 new members in 2019, there were 40 ordinary members, 4 associate members, and 4 personal members. The top three industries of new members are: 1) Manufacturing, 2) Hotels and accommodation and 3) Engineering services, respectively. Despite a small growth in overall members network, 48 new members presented 48 new opportunities to the members network. Among them, 12 were represented by Germans, 30 were represented by Thais, and 6 were represented by other nationalities. New members were introduced to GTCC via other chambers services such as delegation trips and business visa services, events, and member referrals.
The GTCC Members Speed Networking helped expand the target group to existing members who want to connect with new members in an effective speed networking format. There were two GTCC Members Speed Networking events organised in 2019 prior to our main networking events: GTCC Icebreaker Networking –Welcome New Year, and GTCC Icebreaker Networking –Welcome Back.
Despite the limited numbers of new member added to the network, GTCC has always introduced new and dynamic events to further engage the German-Thai business community. Two major community events “GTCC Young Professionals Network Evening” and “GTCC Business Women Netwokring” provide the option for members to better connect through various groups and interests. In 2019, a new event format “Diversity in the Workplace” had been introduced to support a diverse workforce and help companies to acquire and retain best talents.
MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
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Events
During 2019, GTCC successfully organised and participated in almost 154 events and functions, as summarised below: • One cluster meeting; • Seven breakfast talks; • Three business luncheons; • Seven seminars; • Two regional meetings; • Seven community events • Twenty-three business networking events; • Four site visits; • Six annual events; • Three special events; • Thirty-eight co-branded seminars, workshops, conferences and networking events; • Five consultancy conferences/workshops and six business delegations (see Corporate Services); • Five GTDEE certificate handover ceremonies, and thirty-seven related events (see German-Thai Dual Excellence Education)
• Cluster meeting In 2019, the Chamber organised one cluster meeting to provide a platform for sector-orientated participants and share information about the latest developments in the green building industry, and to discuss ways to address challenges and move the industry forward.
Date Topic / Cluster Speakers
4 June GTCC Joint Chambers Business Dr. -Ing. Robert Himmler Luncheon: International Green Building Managing Director of EGS-Plan (Bangkok) Co., Ltd Certification - What’s new in LEED V4.1, Johannes Kreissig DGNB 2019 and WELL V2? Chief Executive Officer at DGNB e.V. and DGNB GmbH Dr. Atch Sreshthaputra Founder and CEO of Africus Co., Ltd. & Managing Director of EGS-plan (Bangkok) Co., Ltd.
• Breakfast talks and business luncheons In 2019, GTCC organised and co-hosted seven breakfast talks and three business luncheons with its partners on various topics as listed below. These activities serve as efficient and effective business networking platforms for members and their counterparts to meet and discuss matters of mutual interest.
Date Topic Speakers/panelists
29 January Regional headquarters in Thailand –Mr. Till Morstadt what is new after abolishing the IHQ? Equity Partner of Lorenz & Partners Co., Ltd. (L&P) Mrs. Athitaya Chanthasirichot Partner of Lorenz & Partners Co., Ltd. (L&P)
20 March Local Content – Door Opener to Supphanat Vorapurkpisuth Duty-Free Exports to Over 3 Billion Case Team Manager at Sanet Legal Ltd. – Consumers Dr. Denk & Partners Pitchaporn Noomnam Custom Duty Expert at Sanet Legal Ltd. – Dr. Denk & Partners Dr. Gunter Denk President and Partner of Sanet Legal Ltd. - Dr. Denk & Partners
30 April The European General Data Protection Sebastian Blasius Regulation (GDPR) and What Thai Attorney-at-law at Luther Law Offices Businesses Need To Know About It
28 May Transfer Pricing and BEPS – challenges Mr. Till Morstadt and opportunities for internationally Equity Partner of Lorenz & Partners Co., Ltd. (L&P) operating companies in Thailand
06 September Basic IP Check for Companies Mrs. Anja Schwarz Attorney-at-law at Luther Law Offices
24 September Dealing with legal challenges - How to Mr. Till Morstadt avoid payment shortfalls when doing Equity Partner of Lorenz & Partners Co., Ltd. (L&P) business in Thailand Mr. Rapeesak Kesasuwan Head of Commercial Law at Lorenz & Partners Co., Ltd.
26 November Solving the Thailand Transfer Pricing Mr. Stuart Simons Conundrum Transfer Pricing/Customs Partner at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Jaiyos Advisory Co., Ltd. Ms. Chayalaak Chutima Director of Transfer Pricing at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Jaiyos Advisory Co., Ltd.
• Business luncheons
Date Topic Speakers/panelists
12 February Multi-Chamber Lunch by BCCT: Auramon Subthaweethum ASEAN Framework Agreement on Director-General, Department of Trade Negotiations, Services Ministry of Commerce
21 February GTCC Joint Chambers Luncheon Prinn Panitchpakdi Thailand Economic Outlook 2019 Governor at Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Markus Lorenzini President and CEO of Siemens Limited -Thailand (Cambodia, Laos & Myanmar) Peter Rankl President ASEAN at Continental Automotive Christian Wiedmann President & CEO of BMW (Thailand) Armin Wiesler General Manager / Head of Human Pharma at Boehringer Ingelheim (Thai) Johannes Von Rohr Co-Founder & Director Corporate Development of Rabbit Finance
19 March Joint Business Luncheon by STCC: Arin Jira Thailand’s Economic Goals as Chairman of ASEAN-BAC Thailand ASEAN Chair
• GTCC seminars During 2019 GTCC organised seven seminars as below.
Date Topic Speaker
26 February Seminar: “How to look younger, Ms. Andrea Howton live longer, feel better” Chief Operating Officer of VitalLife Scientific Wellness, Esperance Integrative Cancer Center
26 April GTCC Eastern Seaboard Seminar: Mr. Rolf Wittlinger The challenge at the press shop of today Director of Schuler (Thailand) Co., Ltd
10 June A meeting on the RIS Swiss Section Simon Dörig School Extension Project Principal of RIS Swiss Section-Deutschsprachige Schule Bangkok Knut Sierotzki President of the school board
12 June GTCC Roundtable: How to handle Jens Hildebrandt a dragon? - German-Chinese economic Executive Director of the German Chamber of relations amidst the US-China trade war Commerce in China - North (AHK Greater China)
14 June GTCC Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Athitaya Chanthasirichot Seminar: “Labour Law Matter – how to Head of Corporate Law at avoid labour disputes in view of the new Lorenz & Partners Co., Ltd. (L&P) labour protection act” Rapeesak Kesasuwan Head of Commercial Law at Lorenz & Partners Co., Ltd. (L&P)
09 July GTCC Seminar: Innovation in operational Ralph Rettler excellence – how to reach a step change Managing Director of Bold Group GmbH in process improvement
Date Topic Speaker
27 September GTCC Eastern Seaboard Seminar with Mr. Warasit Muangkoom DACHSER (Thailand) Co., Ltd. “Customs Chief of Customs Procedure from Clearance Seminar – Updated ASEAN- the Thailand Customs Department China FTA privilege and Thai Customs Regulation 2019”
18 • Regional meetings GTCC organised two AHK meetings in 2019: Asia-Pacific Coordination (APC) Meeting 2019 and AHK Digital Strategy Workshop Asia Pacific. The APC meeting welcomed the Executive Directors and delegations of the German Chambers of Commerce Aboard (AHK) in the Asia-Pacific region as well as key DIHK representatives to discuss further cooperation and preparation for the Asia-Pacific conference 2019. The AHK Digital Strategy Workshop Asia Pacific welcomed thirty-six participants from the AHKs in the Asia-Pacific region to set digital goals and strategy for our global network in 2025 together.
Date Topic Venue
28-29 January Asia-Pacific Coordination (APC) Meeting 2019 Sukhothai Hotel Bangkok
13-14 June AHK Digital Strategy Workshop Asia Pacific Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Bangkok Menam Riverside
• Community events In 2019, seven community events were organised.
• Young Professionals GTCC successfully organised three “Young Professionals” events as listed below. The programme aims to provide a dynamic learning and networking platform for young professionals in the international business community in Thailand. Follow the programme updates at GTCCYP.
Date Topic Venue
14 March From startup to household brand - Rembrandt Hotel & Suites Bangkok a fireside chat with the founders
11 July The Rules are Changing: Why Agility Marks Spaces at Empire Tower the Road Forward for Business
26 September “Meeting with the CEOs Part 2 - Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park Adapting Success in Asia
• Business Women Networking GTCC hosted “Business Women Networking” as a community platform for business women to network with female leaders and young professionals on regular basis. There were four business women networking events organised in 2019 as listed below.
Date Topic Venue
20 February Conflict Management at Work (First anniversary Amara Bangkok of the GTCC Business Women Networking)
15 May Career fulfillment for businesswomen: Movenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok Is striving for leadership the only option?
14 August “Key success factors for businesswomen in KOI Lounge different industries”
• Networking platforms GTCC offers various networking platforms for its members as well as the German-Thai business community overall. Each platform has its own characteristics, resulting in a variety of experiences for the participants. A new networking event “Diversity in the Workplace” was introduced “Diversity in the Workplace” to increase its engagement with members in the potential untapped segment. In 2019, twenty-three networking events were organised.
• Members Speed Networking Two GTCC Members Speed Networking events were organised in 2019 prior to our main networking events: GTCC Icebreaker Networking – Welcome New Year, and GTCC Icebreaker Networking – Welcome Back.
Date Venue
31 January Panisea 2, Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers
08 August The Terrace@72 (Riverfront), Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Bangkok Menam Riverside
• Ice Breaker Networking The Ice Breaker features special activities organised in co-operation with partnering chambers of commerce to encourage interaction across nations. Value-added activities are often introduced to give participants a unique networking experience. In 2019, GTCC organised three Ice Breakers as listed below.
Date Event Venue
31 January GTCC Ice Breaker Networking - Riverside Grill, Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Welcome New Year 2019 Towers
06 June Ice Breaker Networking: GTCC-FTCC-TICC Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit Innovation & Lifestyle Night 2019
08 August GTCC Ice Breaker Networking - Welcome Back The Terrace@72 (Riverfront), Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Bangkok Menam Riverside
• Eastern Seaboard Networking Twelve Joint Chamber Eastern Seaboard Networking events were held during 2019 as listed below.
Date Event Venue
18 January Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Networking Holiday Inn Pattaya by SATCC
15 February Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Networking Renaissance Pattaya Resort & Spa Evening by BCCT
15 March Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Networking Mytt Beach Hotel Pattaya by AustCham
26 April GTCC Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Pullman Pattaya Hotel G Networking
10 May Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Networking Mövenpick Siam Hotel Na Jomtien Pattaya by AMCHAM
14 June Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Networking Alexa Beach Club Pattaya by BeLuThai & NTCC
19 July Multi-Chamber Eastern Seaboard Networking Avani Pattaya Resort by AustCham
23 August Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Networking Holiday Inn Pattaya by BCCT
Date Event Venue
27 September GTCC Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Mytt Beach Hotel Pattay Networking
18 October Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Networking Holiday Inn Pattaya by AMCHAM
15 November Multi Chambers Eastern Seaboard Networking Ana Anan Resort & Villas Pattaya by NTCC and BeLuThai
13 December Multi-Chambers Eastern Seaboard Christmas Beach Lawn, Amari Pattaya Networking by BCCT
• Stammtisch Bangkok get-together The Stammtisch serves as GTCC’s casual get-together platform for the German-Thai business community. This event format is organised every two months in Bangkok. During 2019, GTCC organised five Stammtisch Bangkok get-together events listed below. The last one the Tri-Nation Night extended an invitation to Advantage Austria and the members of the Swiss-Thai Chamber of Commerce. The participants at the Tri-Nation Stammtisch had an opportunity to meet the guests of honour and other guests from the Austrian-German-Swiss business community in Thailand.
Date Venue
21 February Bei Otto Restaurant, Sukhumvit Soi 20
04 April Da Vinci Restaurant, Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok
20 June Bei Otto Restaurant, Sukhumvit Soi 20
19 September SIXTYFOUR (Häfele Design Studio, Sukhumvit 64)
14 November GTCC Stammtisch Bangkok “Tri-Nations Night”, The Sukhothai Bangkok
• “Diversity in the Workplace” GTCC’s new networking event “Diversity in the Workplace” was organised on 25 June 2019 at SO Sofitel Bangkok. Experts / representatives shared their views and experiences on ‘How can diversity make a company more productive and increase its competitiveness?’. The discussion was followed by an active networking session that gives participants the opportunity to exchange thoughts and make new contacts.
• Site visits GTCC site visits are organised in co-operation with Chamber members. The visits allow members and friends of the Chamber to experience an informative tour around a company’s premises as well as learn about that company operational routine. Site visits are free-of-charge for members. In 2019, the Chamber organised the four site visits listed below.
Date Site
15 March Asia Clean Industrial Park Co., Ltd. (ACIP)
Bosch Automotive Technologies
20 June Wang Noi Beverage Co.,Ltd.
23 August Ducati Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
• Annual events GTCC organised six annual events as below to serve its members different platforms in response to their needs.
Date Event Venue
28 March Ordinary General Meeting 2019 (OGM2019) Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok
3 May White Asparagus Wine Dinner Royal Orchid Sheraton and Towers
29 May GTCC Gala Night 2019 “Fairy Tales” Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok
12 September GTCC Meets the German Ambassador Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit
25-26 October GTCC Oktoberfest 2019 Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park
13 December Family Christmas Party Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit
• Special events GTCC hosted three special events in 2019. One was aimed to position our event’s identity and boost the number of participants for the event. Other two events were organised to express appreciations to our board members and partners for their great support and valuable contributions to the success of our chamber throughout the year.
Date Event Venue
21 August GTCC Oktoberfest 2019 Press Conference Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park
27 November GTCC Year-end Thank You Dinner for Board Waldorf Astoria Bangkok members and honorary members
4 December GTCC Partners and Customers Appreciation: Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok Schloss Vollrads Wine Tasting
• Other seminars, workshops, conferences and networking events co-branded with partners During 2019, GTCC collaborated with various partners in hosting and supporting about 38 seminars, workshops, conferences and other networking events listed below.
Date Event / topic Venue
22 February Joint Chambers Chiang Mai Connect by Chiang Mai Icon Park NTCC & Regus: ‘Diversity in the Workplace’- Community Talk & Networking
26 February Multi-Chamber Briefing (Data Protection Laws: British Business Centre Existing and Prospective)
27 February EABC Multi- Chamber Business Networking Banyan Tree Bangkok
08 March AustCham Phuket Member Briefing Doing Angsana Laguna Phuket Business in ASEAN: What does it really Mean?
15 March Joint ESB Briefing on “innovation Motorsport” Mytt Beach Hotel by AustCham
15 March Joint Chambers ESB Sundowners hosted Mytt Beach Hotel by AustCham
04 April ASEAN PPP Summit – The Public-Private Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park Partnership model and its merits in attracting Foreign Direct Investment by MPG
Date Event / topic Venue
24 April Transatlantic Networking Night ft. Koi Restaurant ” What the FATCA, eh?” by CANCHAM
14 May BCCT Multi Chambers Evening Panel Discussion Banyan Tree Bangkok – Investment Trends in Tech-Startups
22 May Multi Chambers Networking Night by STCC The Lancaster Bar
24 May Phuket Member Briefing “Leveraging New and Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort Emerging Payment Methods in Your Business” by AustCham
30 May Sustainability for Business Forum 2019 Moevenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok by FrancoThai
06 June NTCC Chiang Mai Connect Chiangmai&Co, Punspace Wiang Kaew
13 June BCCT Multi-Chamber Phuket Briefing & X2 Vibe Phuket Patong Networking
13 June A Panel Discussion Navigating the 4.0 Digital Australian Embassy Bangkok Revolution
18 June AMCHAM Digital Economy Committee on Four Point by Sheraton Digital Transformation
19 June Multi Chambers Networking Night by STCC Vertigo TOO, Banyan Tree Bangkok
19 June New BOD Meets Members and Banyan Tree Bangkok Multi Chambers Networking Night
25 June Multi-Chambers Networking: Diversity in SO Sofitel Bangkok Workplace hosted by AMCHAM & GTCC
3 July AustCham FCA Sundowners Sofitel Sukhumvit Bangkok
19 July Update from the EEC Office – Latest Avani Pattaya Resort Developments and Investment in Technology
24 July Multi Chambers Networking Night by STCC The Continent Hotel Bangkok
23 August Foreign Chambers Alliance (FCA) Eastern Holiday Inn Pattaya Seaboard Business Briefing Developing Talent in the Eastern Economic Corridor- The Vocational Education Solution
29 August EABC SME Night: Share, Meet and Enjoy Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park
30 August BCCT Multi-Chamber Phuket Briefing & Banyan Tree Phuket Networking
13 September Asian Regattas by AustCham Phuket Boat Lagoon
13 September AustCham Multi-Chambers Phuket Sundowners Captain Room, Phuket Boat Lagoon
18 September Multi Chambers Networking Night Shama Lakeview Asoke
20 September Joint Chambers Business Innovation 4.0 Forum Chiang Mai University & Networking, Chiang Mai Connect edition by NTCC
10 October BCCT Multi-Chamber Phuket Briefing & Mom Tri’s Villa Royale on Kata Noi Beach Networking
Date Event / topic Venue
18 October Mutli-Chambers Panel: A Strong Baht and Holiday Inn Pattaya Economic Uncertainty by AMCHAM
24 October Multi Chambers Networking Night The Westin Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok by STCC
14 November BCCT Multi-Chamber Phuket Briefing & Dream Beach Club, Layan Beach Networking
15 November Multi Chambers Briefing: Labour Protection Ana Anan Resort & Villas Pattaya Act & Eastern Seaboard Networking by NTCC / BeluThai
20 November Multi Chambers Networking Night by STCC Ramada Plaza
26 November Multi-Chamber Networking: “Speed of Change” Spaces Empire Tower & Sathorn Ballroom
29 November AustCham Multi Chambers Phuket Xmas The Boathouse Phuket Sundowners
03 December Joint Chambers Chiang Mai Connect Chiangmai &Co, Punspace Wiang Kaew by NTCC: “SMART VISA & Doing Business in Thailand”
Communications and publications
• UPDATE magazine In 2019, UPDATE magazine featured major trends in various industries, especially in Thailand. It contained several sections: a special focus; Chamber activities; GTDEE Insight; Business Briefs; Members’ Corner; and Trade Fairs. The focus of the magazine during 2019 included The Rise of the Robots, E-commerce and Data Security, Pharmaceuticals, and Green Technology.
To contribute to environmental sustainability, the UPDATE Q4/2019 with the theme of Green Technology was the last paper edition. The magazine’s digital format is available from January 2020 onward. The magazine remains accessible to a greater number of readers locally and internationally and provides a valuable opportunity for interested companies to reach out to potential clients via available advertising options.
All GTCC members were entitled to receive a copy of UPDATE on a complimentary basis. It was also distributed to embassies, consulates and foreign chambers of commerce in Thailand, German Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Germany, Industry Clubs under the Federation of Thai Industries, selected universities in Thailand as well as at GTCC events.
• Membership Directory 2019 As part of GTCC’s effort to “Go Greener”, our Membership Directory was no longer published but changed to Membership Online Directory in 2019 which will be available on GTCC Website. It helped our database more relevant and up-to-date. With a user account and password, members can get access to information on members’ profiles and contact details in order to facilitate business interaction among the members of the German and Thai business communities. Chamber members can still put their company logo at their company profile, in order to enhance corporate brand and visibility.
• e-UPDATE GTCC e-UPDATE is a bi-weekly e-newsletter which summarises the latest information on GTCC events and updates on Thailand‘s economic development, industry sectors, investment, green technology, ASEAN growth and prospects, bilateral business relations as well as the major activities of GTCC members. It is provided to more than three thousand subscribers, mainly comprising executives of German and Thai companies operating in Thailand, trade/academic institutions, embassies, other foreign chambers of commerce in Thailand as well as counterparts in Germany.
• GTCC Upcoming Events GTCC Upcoming Events, another electronic newsletter issued by the Chamber, is sent to members and friends of the Chamber every other Wednesday. It informs readers of upcoming events that the Chamber is organising or co-branding/supporting.
• ASEAN Newsletter GTCC contributes current news and upcoming activities relevant to the German and Thai business communities as well as the development of business and investment in ASEAN, to the GermanASEAN Business Council’s quarterly newsletter entitled ASEAN Newsletter published by AHK Singapore (Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce).
• Social Media Apart from the GTCC website, members and friends of the German-Thai business community are able to stay connected and receive daily updates on GTCC services and events through Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Join today on German-Thai Chamber of Commerce.
• GTCC advertising service The Chamber offers valuable advertising alternatives in its digital and printed materials. Digital advertisements allow companies the flexibility and benefit of reaching out to specific target groups while the printed option efficiently presents an advertiser’s products and services to the German and Thai businesses listed in the GTCC contact database. GTCC advertisement channels in 2019 included:
• Printed materials:
- UPDATE magazine; - Insertion services.
• Digital materials:
- GTCC website (flash banner); - GTCC Membership Directory; - GTCC newsletter (banner in e-UPDATE); - Electronic Direct Mail (E-blast); - Social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter).
In 2019, GTCC continued using the branding terms of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHK), which were suggested by the German Association of Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK). The hashtags #PartnerForSuccess, #PartnerWorldwide, and #PartnerInThailand as well as #PartnerForDVET have been utilised in various GTCC communication platforms such as corporate banners, business cards, website, UPDATE magazine, and social media channels.
