Friday, May 15, 2009

Welcome Reception

The welcome reception at the law office of Stradley Ronan located across the street from the Philadelphia Stock Exchange marked the debut of the 2009 U.S. Regional Caucus Meeting. On behalf of William Sasso, chair of Stradley Ronan, Deborah Hong, extended warm Philly hospitality to the presidents and leaders of the Hong Kong Associations from all over the U.S.A. and VIP guests.

Among the special guests were Donald Tong, JP, Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic & Trade Affairs, USA; Stephen Wong, Regional Director, Americas, Hong Kong Trade Development Council; Erica Atwood, Deputy City Representative, City of Philadelphia; and Samuel Rhoads, Senior Vice President, Philadelphia Industrial Corporation.

At his opening remarks, Commissioner Tong (left) gave an update of the business environment of Hong Kong and a summary of Hong Kong's advantages for the local business community including freedom of autonomy, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom of speech, as well as the rule of law.

The National US Hong Kong Business Association (NUSHKBA) was formed in 2004 in Hawaii with the objectives to facilitate and assist with the development of Hong Kong Associations in the United States and promote the development of new Hong Kong Associations throughout the U.S.A. NUSHKBA is currently serving over 2,600 individual member associates from ten Hong Kong associations located in the states of California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

Taking advantage of the special occasion, the event sponsors and NUSHKBA supporters were acknowledged by NUSHKBA president Kenneth Wong. Donald Tong and Stephen Wong were honored as the 2009 Honorary Advisers for the NUSHKBA. In appreciation of their support of the event, plaques and souvenirs were presented to Deborah Hong, Partner, Stradley Ronan (photo below),

With a magnificent evening view of the city of Philadelphia from the office of Stadley Ronon, plenty of mingling and networking opportunities with guests from the local business community, the first day of the program could not have ended more tasteful than a mouthful of the best Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich in a city nicknamed "Philly".

Erica Atwood, Deputy City Representative, City of Philadelphia (photo above), and Samuel Rhoads, Senior Vice President, Philadelphia Industrial Corporation (photo below).

Eugene Hanratty III, Executive Director, Hong Kong Association of Atlanta, was recognized for his dedication and endless contribution given to the NUSHKBA as the founding Secretary-General, 2005-2006 president, and 2006-2007 chair (photo above).

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Updates on Hong Kong

At his remarks, Donald Tong, JP, Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, pointed out that Hong Kong was not immune from the global financial turmoil. In 2009, GDP was forecasted to decrease by two to three percent and the unemployment rate currently at 5% would increase further. The value of total exports has dropped particularly in merchandize exports and the value of imports of goods also declined. However, Hong Kong's banking system was expected to be fundamentally healthy and strong. The HKSAR government would be unveiling a series of economy stimulus expenditure schemes soon.

Stephen Wong encouraged the representatives of the Hong Kong Associations to work closely with the respective HKTDC offices for updated information and trade fair travel incentive packages available for the business needs of their members and in using the Hong Kong business platform to access the China market.

As the hosting Hong Kong Association of the 2009 U.S. Regional Caucus Meeting, and the 2009 NUSHKBA President, Kenneth Wong was delighted to see participation of all ten Hong Kong Associations in his City of Brotherly Love. (Note: Philadelphia also nicknamed "City of Brotherly Love".) On behalf of the NUSHBKA, Kenneth Wong thanked Commissioner Tong for his address at the reception and in-depth briefing on Hong Kong at the executive meeting. He was appreciative to have Stephen Wong serving on the NUSHKBA Board as an Honorary Adviser. As an all volunteer organization, he dedicated the fast expansion of the NUSHKBA to the leadership of Benjamin Lee, Eugene Hanratty III and all past chairs as well as the assistance provided by Betty Young of the Los Angeles office of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council throughout the years.

Via telephone conference, Joseph Chow representing the Hong Kong Association of Massachusetts and Margaret Bell representing the Hong Kong Business Association of the Midwest participated in the caucus meeting to share their experience, and challenges with other Hong Kong Association representatives.

	Although the youngest member of the NUSHKBA, the Hong Kong Association of Massachusetts has already organized events featuring high level speakers such as the HKSAR Financial Secretary John Tsang.
	The Hong Kong Association of New York was kept very busy in the past year with a calendar filled with programs covering different industry sectors and speakers from real estate to financial industry.
	The Hong Kong Association of Atlanta and Philadelphia Hong Kong Trade Association continued to be admired for their winning spirits in organizing very successful fund-raising Dragon Boat racing contests while being kept busy with their local events.
	With the same enthusiasm, the Hong Kong Business Association of Hawaii also supported a local dragon boat race, in addition to a series of business workshops and cultural events.
	Through working with other Hong Kong family organizations, the Hong Kong Business Association of the Midwest has put together a wide array of programs from business seminars to special events like the Hong Kong Day in May.
	As a logistics center, much of the economy of Dallas is driven by the activities of the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, the Hong Kong Association of Northern Texas has been working closely with the Airport in promoting international trade activities among Hong Kong, China and Dallas.
	Advantageously located at one of the west coast's most important metropolitan cities, the Hong Kong Association of Northern California based out of San Francisco has no shortage of high profile speaker events. Distinguished Speaker Luncheon series featured Arnold Grisham, CEO of Alta Alliance Bank; Ken Rosen, Chairman of Rosen Consulting Group, Richard K Lyons, Dean of Berkeley and Hong Kong Financial Secretary, John Tsang just to name a few. The Annual Scholarship Fundraising Golf Tournament continued to be a huge success! Since 2002, the Association has sponsored over 100 students from Hong Kong and China through donations to the University of California, Berkeley and San Francisco State University.
	The Hong Kong Association of Southern California was also thrilled to have co-operated events featuring HKSAR officials including the honorable Chief Executive Donald Tsang, Financial Secretary John Tsang, and Government Chief Information Officer Jeremy Godfrey as well the Hong Kong Commissioner Donald Tong in the past few months.
	Up in the northwest, members of the Hong Kong Association of Washington celebrated the Year of the Ox in style at the association's annual flagship event featuring a fashion show by Luly Yang Couture and other existing performances, all net proceeds were donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the local Chinese non-profit community groups.

The 2009 Hong Kong Forum will be held in Hong Kong from December 1 to 2, 2009 with a side trip to a city in China. All association representatives were encouraged to taking along their members and business associates to attend the event. Participation fee per member associate would be HK$800 (approximately US$105) or HK$560 (approximately US$72) if register by September 30, 2009.

Same as previous years, the association representatives were also looking forward to have a joint caucus meeting with the Hong Kong Canada Business Association at the 2009 Hong Kong Forum to promote a closer working relationship among the Hong Kong Associations in North America and to explore feasibility of co-operating programs and activities that are of mutual interest to members in Canada and the U.S.A.

Programs and Activities

In view of the challenges of lacking of funding and downsizing of membership experienced by all Hong Kong Associations, the essence was to produce quality Hong Kong and China related programs through closer working relationship with the Hong Kong SAR government, Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

	On behalf of the NUSHKBA, Kenneth Wong will be requesting for speaker referrals as well as more pro-active partnership involvement in programs featuring HKSAR government officials through working with the office of Donald Tong, JP, Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic & Trade Affairs.
	Other than speaking program, events such as the dragon boat races could be another avenue to brand Hong Kong and to break the ice with major corporations not already partnering with Hong Kong. Eugene Hanratty III was volunteered to seek support from Margaret Fong, JP, Hong Kong Commissioner for Tourism Board. And Kenneth Wong has offered to lend his expertise in planning and development of dragon boat events.
	Due to geographical reasons, it might be more difficult for some heavy weight speakers passing through the U.S.A. to also visit some of the cities. Through working with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Barinna Poon was assigned to explore the feasibility of organizing speaking programs with prominent speakers from Hong Kong or other parts of the United States via video conferencing. These programs might be held concurrently among associations in the same time region or on nationwide basis covering topics of common interest such as legal and financial services.

To provide a more informative and interactive online platform for the over 10,000 member associates in the FHKBAW (Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide) network, the Federation website was being revamped including an online Associates Directory. Although not all of the individual membership information may be posted to the online directory due to privacy issues, but with the help of the participating Hong Kong Associations, the updated online Federation membership directory is expected to be released in the summer of 2009.

Due to recent global financial turmoil, most of the associations experienced downsizing in membership. This was echoed by Dennis Lee of the Hong Kong Association of Southern California (HKASC) - winner of one of the Outstanding Membership Prizes at the 2008 Forum. To maintain its membership at the 600 level, and to better understand the needs of the members, led by Dennis Lee and other HKASC board members, an electronic survey was conducted. Based on the results, a more robust series of membership-drive events and business information workshop would be in the works.

Stephen Wong suggested the Hong Kong Associations to consider development of sub-chapters to increase membership coverage geographically. For instance, the total number of members of its Orange County and San Diego Chapters made up approximately 30% of the total number of members of the Hong Kong Association of Southern California. Another option was to also target towards the younger generation professional groups such as the Hong Kong Schools Alumni, and National Association of Asian American Professionals.

While it might become more challenging to sustain corporate sponsorships, some associations were receiving funding through Title Sponsorship, Tabletop Display at business and flagship annual events, as well as golf tournaments.

Election of 2010 NUSHKBA Executive Board

The election of the 2010 Executive Board of the National US Hong Kong Business Association also took place. Beginning January 1, 2010, Barinna Poon (Hong Kong Association of Hawaii) will lead the team as president, current president Kenneth Wong (Philadelphia Hong Kong Trade Association) will become chairman. The new team members also include Treasurer Susanna Kwan (Hong Kong Association of Northern California), Secretary General Eugene Hanratty III (Hong Kong Association of Atlanta), and Vice Presidents: Michael Nocera (Hong Kong Association of New York), Daniel Chen (Hong Kong Association of Northern Texas), Joseph Chow (Hong Kong Association of Massachusetts), Margaret Bell (Hong Kong Business Association of the Midwest), Benjamin Lee (Hong Kong Association of Washington), and Raymond Cheng (Hong Kong Association of Southern California).

The exciting discussion among the association representatives continued at the dinner hosted by Deborah Hong of Stradley Ronon at the unique Jack's Firehouse Restaurant. Located directly across the street from the Eastern State Penitentiary historic site, the restaurant was well known among the local community for its original mahogany interior, wood plank floors, its commitment to using the finest and freshest homemade and locally grown products, and the owner's old American cooking ethnic of making everything from scratch.

Over an enjoyable breakfast and brunch hosted by the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau at the Westin Philadelphia Hotel, the association representatives reviewed the strategies for the NUSHKBA in the coming year.

	To promote awareness of NUSHKBA and the Hong Kong Associations in the U.S.A., it was agreed to place an advertisement in the 2009 Hong Kong Forum Program Book.
	The feasibility of taking up a promotional stand at the HKTDC World SME Expo to be held in Hong Kong from December 3-5, 2009 would also be explored.
	It was discussed that the format of the next U.S. Regional Caucus might be developed to follow the Forum in Canada and Hong Kong.

To complete the brunch, Tanya Hall, Executive Director, Multicultural Affairs Congress, representing the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau gave the association representatives a quick overview of the city of Philadelphia and presented a limited-edition musical CD to the group as a take-home souvenir.

After the brunch or feast, it was time to bid farewell. However, some of the lucky ones were able to get a quick glimpse of Philadelphia at a walking tour guided by James Zhang of The Windsor Suites. The first stop was the Philadelphia City Hall built in 1871, at 584 ft high, it was the tallest building in the city until 1987 (photo below).

For "Rocky" movie fans, climbing of the "Rocky Steps" and waiting in the line for a picture with the Rocky bronze statue at the Philadelphia Museum of Art were rewarding (photo below).

Across the City Hall was the "LOVE" sign at the LOVE Park (photo above). Although no time to take a "dim sum" break, the group still got a taste of the liveliness of Chinatown with a snapshot in front of its landmark archway (photo below).

The next U.S. Regional Caucus Meeting has been tentatively scheduled to be held in Honolulu - the state of Aloha - in 2010.