The Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce is offering to sponsor 10 delegates from the ICC World Chambers Federation (WCF) to attend the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 30 July to 2 August.

ACCE is a national association serving individuals in the management of chambers of all sizes. The convention offers excellent networking opportunities as well as valuable experience.

“We value our relationship with ACCE and appreciate this opportunity for our members to experience first-hand American chambers in action,” said WCF Chairman Rona Yircali.

Candidates must be from non-US chambers and will have the chance to win one of 10 “scholarship” packages that include entry to all convention tours and events, several meals and receptions, and four nights’ accommodation. The package has an estimated value of US $2 500.
 
Set in Pittsburgh, renowned as a center for robotics, medical sciences and steel, the convention will bring together more than 1000 attendees and 150 speakers from around the world. It will also feature 80 exhibition booths and 70 educational sessions, tours and events. Breakout sessions will be held on topics such as international business development, economic development, membership sales, sponsorship, member retention, non-dues revenue-generating programs, events, networking activities, membership database management, communications, local political issues, and the US Presidential election and its implications for US policy.

Chris Mead, Senior Vice President of ACCE said: “Our members will enjoy the opportunity to spend quality time with the World Chambers Federation. These scholarships, generously paid for by companies in Pittsburgh, will help us draw even closer together.”

“The award gave me a fantastic opportunity to learn about and appreciate the American private law chamber system. It also gave me the opportunity to dramatically increase my network in the American market and this has been very useful for our members and customers in international trade,” said previous sponsorship winner Lars-Kåre Legernes, Managing Director, Oslo Chamber of Commerce.

Applications

Chamber members wishing to apply should send a one-page application letter in English on why your chamber would benefit from learning about chamber operations in North America and what your chamber could bring to the convention in terms of ideas, contacts and programmes. Applicants should also include an essay of no more than 250 words – in honor of Pittsburgh’s 250th anniversary this year – describing why they would like to come to the beautiful and historic city to experience a chamber convention. 

Please include applicant details and responsibilities as well as some information about your chamber, such as budget, number of employees, your city and its regions, and leading activities by your chamber in the community. These details may be listed separately from the essay and letter of application.

More information about Pittsburgh can be found at  www.visitpittsburgh.com  and www.imaginepittsburgh.com .  

Chambers must send their application by email to  wcf@iccwbo.org  before 14 April 2008. Winners will be notified via email by 25 April.

Previous ACCE sponsorship winners are not eligible to apply for sponsorship this year. Anyone who wishes to register as regular attendees at the convention may do so via the ACCE web site.

For more information about ACCE and the convention, please visit  www.acce.org .