ABCK-AmCham Kuwait holds membership and networking event
Event held to update members on past performance as well as future plans
KUWAIT CITY, Jan 23: The American Business Council Kuwait (ABCK-AmCham Kuwait) kickstarted 2020 with their Annual Membership and Networking Event on Jan 20, 2020 at the JW Marriott Hotel, Kuwait City. In attendance were over 100 guests, consisting of ABCK- AmCham Kuwait members and non-members from across different industries in Kuwait and the GCC region.
The event was aimed at informing guests about ABCK- AmCham Kuwait’s goals and initiatives and updating them on past performance as well as future plans.
In his opening statements, ABCKAmCham Kuwait’s Chairman, Frank Belonus, thanked the event’s Gold Sponsor, Kuwait Resources House (KRH), and ABCK- AmCham Kuwait members for their constant support and contribution to the organization. He then gave a snapshot of ABCK- AmCham Kuwait’s activities over the past year: “We saw a 70% increase in organizational growth over the past 12 months, and a 300% increase in member benefits. We currently have over 600 members from top companies and leaders in virtually every industry in Kuwait”. After that, the Chairman introduced Shari Stout, Senior Commercial Officer at the US Embassy Kuwait, and called onto the stage Chris Johnson, Chairman of Middle East Council for American Chambers of Commerce (MECACC).
In his speech, Johnson talked about the importance of maintaining bilateral relations between the US and countries in the region and emphasized the role that Chambers of Commerce play in supporting local businesses and trade relations. He then discussed the upcoming Doorknock on Washington DC event that they hold in April each year. “Our signature event is the Doorknock. This is where you come in, we can’t do this without you and the active participation and support of all of our members to make our voices eloquently heard and reflected in US policy” said Johnson.
ABCK- AmCham Chariman honoring KRH.
A section of the attendees during the event.
Members interact during the networking session.
Following that, ABCK- AmCham Kuwait’s Executive Director, Esra Cavdarli Menke, gave a briefing on membership and the results of policy updates over the past year.
Alok Chugh, ABCK- AmCham Kuwait’s Treasurer, then took to the stage and presented guests with the financial performance for 2019, and allocated budget for the upcoming year.
After that, ABCK- AmCham Kuwait’s Vice-Chairman, Pete Swift, talked about past events and highlighted some of the events that ABCK- AmCham Kuwait has in
Frank Belonus
Chris Johnson – MECACC
Alok Chugh
store for 2020. He then called onto the stage ABCK- AmCham Kuwait’s Chairman, and the event’s Gold Sponsor, Kuwait Resources House, and presented them with a recognition award. Following that, Issa Al-Masri, Business Development Manager at KRH, presented members with a briefing about the company’s products and services and what they can offer to ABCKAmCham
Issa Al-Masri – KRH
Esra Cavdarli Menke
Kuwait’s valuable members.
Chairman’s Club members, IFA Travel and Tourism, and United Business Solutions (UBS), were also recognized and took to the stage and presented their companies services.
The event concluded with networking where new and existing members had the chance to get to know each other and learn about different
Pete Swift
businesses and industries.
ABCK is a non-profit organization comprised of American corporations, small and medium sized companies, and prominent business leaders and entrepreneurs, both American and Kuwaiti. Since 1985, the American Business Council of Kuwait Ltd (ABCK) has acted as an advocate for American companies in the State of Kuwait.