G20 Executive Talk Series

September 2016

World Chambers Congress / Innovation

World Chambers Congress:
Fostering opportunities, cultivating innovation

The World Chambers Congress is the largest, most influential forum of its kind assembling more than 1,000 business and chamber leaders from across the globe. Now in its tenth edition, this event has become the premier venue for sharing best practices, developing networks and discovering new areas of innovation.

Organized by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) World Chambers Federation (WCF), the Congress is held biennially and takes place in a different region of the world each time. The next edition is set to be held in Sydney, Australia on 19-21 September 2017 and co-organized by the Sydney Business Chamber (SBC). This will be the first time the prestigious event will be hosted in Australia and will allow the island nation to showcase its vast business incentives.

“This Congress will provide unparalleled access to global trade opportunities and will be a chance for all attendees to play a part in stimulating global trade progress. Sydney will provide the perfect destination for future focused discussion and is a natural partner city for the Congress,” said Stuart Ayres, Minister for Tourism, Trade and Major Events NSW.

As a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region, Sydney presents an array of exciting possibilities. The harbor city holds a prime position as an international hub for business, finance, education and cultural communities. Paired with an outstanding reputation for connecting businesses with industry experts through collaboration, knowledge sharing and commercial opportunities, it is certain that Sydney will deliver an exceptional experience. 

With more than 110 nations regularly attending, the event’s popularity continues to increase. From less-developed countries such as South Sudan to larger developed nations such as the United States, chambers of all sizes eagerly await their chance to secure the honor of co-organizing. In fact, WCF receives bids from chambers of commerce several years in advance. This is because the Congress brings a multitude of advantages to not only the area but the global chamber movement as well. There are currently offers to co-organize the renowned event through to 2021.

“ICC is the world’s business organization and as such has a pivotal role in convening conversations that improve business, improve global sustainability and build bridges between nations,” said Steve Killeen, founder and Executive Chairman of the Institute for Economics and Peace and confirmed speaker of the 2017 Congress.

10th World Chambers Congress
Next year’s Congress program will address current global trends affecting chambers of commerce and their respective business communities: from international trade to climate change and other pressing issues that transcend national boundaries.

Through plenary and workshop sessions, participants will gain insights from an exceptional list of internationally renowned business and thought leaders, governmental figures as well as chamber executives.

To accompany delegations, each and every Congress offers an extensive programme.

This includes a business program, exclusive side events and the chance to set up special meetings so delegates can capitalize from the presence of specific industry sectors and companies.

Chambers and leading corporations will also have the chance to attend the exhibition area. This space is truly an excellent setting to promote opportunities and other relevant activities in their region or model specific products and services. The Congress provides an ideal platform to enhance a brand’s image and gain recognition with high-value contacts.

Unparalleled opportunities to connect and strengthen relations with chambers of commerce and business leaders will also
be indispensable for participants. In addition to creating new institutional ties, the Congress is an ideal occasion to bolster trade and investment opportunities from attending industry heads, companies and governments.

World Chambers Competition
A key feature of the Congress is the World Chambers Competition—the only global awards program that acknowledges and rewards the most innovative projects undertaken by chambers of commerce and industry on an international level. This is a unique occasion for chambers to unveil current projects and display how they are making positive steps to improve communities.
Applications for the 2017 Competition will open on 4 November 2016 with the final deadline on 4 April 2017. Previous winners include the Calgary Chamber of Commerce for a disaster preparedness product, which they provided to local businesses. So impressive was the project that it is currently being expanded throughout the world to aid the private sector in facing natural disasters.

TO ACCOMPANY DELEGATIONS, EACH AND EVERY CONGRESS OFFERS AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAMME. THIS INCLUDES A BUSINESS PROGRAMME, EXCLUSIVE SIDE EVENTS AND THE CHANCE TO SET UP SPECIAL MEETINGS SO DELEGATES CAN CAPITALIZE FROM THE PRESENCE OF SPECIFIC INDUSTRY SECTORS AND COMPANIES.

Categories for the upcoming Competition include:

Best CSR project: Rewarding a project linking both business and their social responsibility actions to community, philanthropic, environment, workplace and marketplace activities.

Best job creation and business development project: Candidates in this category have either created a project that has boosted growth opportunities for chamber’s member companies or has contributed to job growth in its community, generating a long-term value for the business ecosystem and the society.

Best SMEs financing project: This category will recognize exceptional initiatives and projects led by chambers of commerce that have helped its small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs access finance to address their business operational and development needs.

Best unconventional project: Go to a chamber that has developed an exceptional project in an activity not typically associated with a chamber of commerce’s mission and objectives and must be inspirational and innovative.

The ICC WCF and SBC are extremely excited to welcome you to the World Chambers Congress in Sydney in 2017. The 10th edition of this event will certainly act as the ideal stage for all businessmen and chamber representatives alike to achieve their goals, whatever they may be. Sydney is a key link in the chain to business in Asia-Pacific, and the Congress will encapsulate this sentiment.

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