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Record
attendance expected at World Chambers Congress
Paris,
29 November 2004 - Chambers
of commerce across the globe are marking their calendars for 20-22 June
next year when they will be heading to Durban, South Africa for the 4th
World Chambers Congress.
The hosts, ICC's World
Chambers Federation (WCF) and the Durban Chamber of Commerce & Industry,
anticipate that the 2005 Congress will draw more participants than the
most successful congress to date, held in Quebec City last year, which
attracted 1200 chamber leaders and executives from over 91 countries.
Such turnouts have
reinforced the biennial congress's reputation as the only international
event where leaders of all types of chambers from very differing countries
come together to build relationships with their peers and learn and share
the latest ideas, innovations and best practices for running a chamber
of commerce.
"As well as providing
great networking opportunities the congress addresses the grassroots issues
of the chamber of commerce community," said Avijit Mazumdar, WCF
Chair. "Chamber leaders attending the congress learn about, stimulate
and influence the very latest advances in their sector."
Organizers hope that holding the conference in Africa will enable many
more chambers from developing countries in the region to attend, thus
opening the door for discussions and partnerships with chambers from industrialized
countries.
"Every year we
host thousands of local and international visitors ready to experience
the unique spirit of Africa," said Prince Sifiso Zulu, Incoming President
of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "In Durban we combine
business and pleasure like no other city in the world. Durban's heady
mix of African, Asian and European cultures helps to make it South Africa's
number one domestic tourist destination, Africa's number one conferencing
city and the southern hemisphere's largest port. We encourage chambers
and their members to come to Durban and South Africa to explore not only
their business as a chamber, but also business opportunities for their
own member companies." Durban Chamber is co-ordinating with fellow
organizations across South Africa to assist with accompanying business
delegations.
One of the key successes
of the congress is the World Chambers Competition. Inaugurated at last
year's 3rd World Chambers Congress, the competition attracted 65 entries
from over 29 countries, and provided an inspirational showcase of innovation
and ideas from chamber projects around the world. According to some of
last year's finalists the international recognition they have received
as a result of the competition from both their peers (who are the judges
in this award) and their business members, has improved the standing of
their chamber, both nationally, among government and business leaders,
and internationally, within the chamber community. Chambers interested
in submitting projects for the competition should visit: http://www.worldchamberscompetition.org.
Next year's congress
programme not only focuses on the latest developments in classic chamber
service areas such as international trade, policy, workforce programmes
and partnerships, but also gives chambers the chance to explore potential
projects and opportunities in less traditional areas of chamber work such
as the environment, women in business, and, of particular relevance to
the African continent, HIV Aids and the role chambers do and can play
in helping business address this issue. Workshop topics include in-house
management and human resource issues for chambers.
A new feature of the
2005 Congress will be an exclusive gathering of chambers of commerce from
the top 100 cities in the world. This private session will highlight the
ways chambers contribute to attracting business to their cities.
For full descriptions of plenary and parallel sessions, as well as practical
information and a spotlight on Durban, go to www.durban2005.com.
or contact:
Anthony Parkes
WCF Director
+33 1 49 53 29 44
Click here to send a mail
Michael Kelly
Project
Manager
+33 1 49 53 30 33
Click here to send a mail
World Chambers Federation
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