How individual chambers gained strength by working together was the theme of the World Chambers Federation session. Speakers agreed that growing awareness of the advantages of this intensified international cooperat ion among chambers led to the success of a relatively new forum - the World Chambers Congress - to be held for the third time from September 15-17 2003 in Quebec City.

WCF Chairman Avijit Mazumdar said: "The WCF and the Congress should be a focal point for chambers of commerce to meet and exchange ideas and experiences, to network with one another."

Yong Sung Park, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who hosted last year's second World Chambers Congress in Seoul, said the aim was to make more chambers aware of the WCF and what it could offer. He said: "We need to let the chambers of the world know we are here…We are a marketing tool and the key to future chamber success."

Inviting all participants to Quebec, Nancy Hughes Anthony, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said the Congress would provide tremendous opportunities for networking, particularly for chambers from the Americas, who have traditionally not actively networked with their peers from around the world. It was a valuable opportunity for them.

return to list of sessions